Why Everyone’s Obsessed With Labubu? How a $15 Plush Became Fashion’s Latest Flex
Recently, I’ve been seeing Labubus everywhere. Online, in stores, dangling from designer bags… you literally can’t escape them. They’ve invaded my feed and my city like an adorable, toothy little army.
The first time I saw a Labubu was in a picture of Rihanna. She had one clipped to her bag like it was the hottest new accessory of the year. I thought, “Oh, cute—Rihanna’s carrying a plush toy.” But little did I know, that was the beginning of my Labubu nightmare.
Ever since then, those evil little creatures have followed me around. I don’t even get the appeal. They are ugly. Ugly in a way that’s almost impressive. They look like the kind of doll I would personally put a curse on and gift to my worst enemy, just to watch chaos unfold.
And yet, the obsession is real. People are dropping thousands of dollars just to get one. If you don’t have a Labubu, apparently you’re not just missing a plush—you’re missing life. It’s become a bizarre high-status badge.
Personally? I don’t own a Labubu, and I never will. But I had to know: how did this wave even start?
🤔What is a Labubu?
Labubu comes from the mind of Hong Kong illustrator Kasing Lung, part of his “The Monsters” series. The whole vibe is zoomorphic elves with exaggerated faces, but Labubu is the star—a scruffy, big-eared, sharp-toothed little monster inspired by Nordic folklore and forest spirits.
It started as an art toy back in 2015, living in the niche world of collectors and designer toy nerds. Then Pop Mart entered the scene, and everything changed.
✨How Pop Mart Turned Labubu into a Cultural Tsunami
Before Pop Mart, Labubu was a niche character. After Pop Mart? It was a marketing weapon. They put Labubu into their famous blind boxes—a genius move designed to keep people buying again and again just to “win” the one they wanted. Some boxes held rare “secret” editions, making them instant lottery tickets for collectors.
Labubu’s wide eyes, mischievous grin, and pointy ears translated perfectly into palm-sized vinyl. They looked great in photos. They looked even better in unboxing videos. Pop Mart cranked the hype machine with timed drops, limited runs, and no restocks—forcing people to act fast or pay absurd resale prices later.
Then came the celebrity seeding. Pop Mart slipped Labubus into the hands of influencers, and before long, they weren’t just collectibles—they were fashion-adjacent status symbols. You could clip one to your Birkin and instantly signal that you were in on the trend.
💅🏻Celebrity Jet Fuel
Celebrity influence didn’t just boost Labubu—it launched it into the stratosphere. Lisa from Blackpink casually carried a Labubu plush on her designer bag, and that was it. Labubu crossed over from toy-world darling to global fashion accessory.
From there, it was a celebrity free-for-all. Rihanna gave it street-style credibility. Dua Lipa made it playful and luxe. Kim Kardashian turned it into a paparazzi-worthy prop. The effect? People started seeing Labubu as more than a toy. It was a signal. If you had one, you weren’t just a collector—you were part of a cultural moment.
👹From Cute to Cursed: The “Evil Doll” Rumors
With hype comes chaos. And in Labubu’s case, chaos came with a supernatural twist.
Some conspiracy-loving corners of TikTok decided Labubu looked suspiciously like the Mesopotamian demon Pazuzu—wide grin, bulging eyes, sharp teeth. Cue the spooky stories: nightmares, strange noises, bad luck, even “demonic possession” claims.
Pop Mart even leaned into it, posting a fake recall notice on April Fools’ Day about “supernatural activity,” which, of course, only made the rumors worse.
In India, comedian Bharti Singh burned her child’s Labubu on camera, calling it “Shaitaan Ka Roop” (a demonic form). In Pakistan, actress Mishi Khan warned it could attract evil spirits. Across social media, people posted stories of nosebleeds, accidents, and creepy “watchful” eyes—followed by dramatic videos of Labubus being drowned, burned, or banished.
Experts say it’s all textbook “uncanny valley” anxiety mixed with internet folklore. No actual evidence supports the idea that Labubu is evil—it’s literally inspired by Nordic fairy tales, not demons. But facts are no match for viral superstition.
👀Why People Feel FOMO
Labubu isn’t just a plush—it’s a status symbol wrapped in scarcity. Blind box culture, limited drops, and celebrity hype all work together to create a sense of urgency. People aren’t just buying the toy—they’re buying membership in a trend.
If your favorite celebrity has one and your feed is full of them, not owning one starts to feel like social exclusion. And once scarcity kicks in, the prices skyrocket, which only makes it more desirable.
🗣️The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly
The good: It’s a shared cultural moment. Fans connect over trades, unboxings, and styling. It fuels creativity, boosts Pop Mart’s business, and even supports indie creators making Labubu-inspired merch.
The bad: Resale market gouging, compulsive overspending, and trend burnout. Plus, the whole “evil doll” panic can actually cause anxiety and lead to bans, which is wild for something that’s basically a fuzzy goblin.
The ugly: One day, Labubu will be everywhere, and the same people who fought for one will pretend they never cared. That’s the internet for you.
🧠How to End the Madness
Want to kill the Labubu hysteria? Stop feeding it. Don’t share the cursed doll TikToks, stop paying scalper prices, and remember that no toy should dictate your social worth.
Also—maybe accept that not every plush with sharp teeth is a harbinger of doom. Sometimes it’s just a scruffy little monster from a Hong Kong illustrator’s imagination.
💓Conclusion
Labubu is the perfect storm: part art, part marketing genius, part internet fever dream. Pop Mart, celebrities, and social media made it unavoidable, and now it’s living rent-free in our cultural consciousness.
Enjoy it if you love it. Ignore it if you don’t. And if you really hate it? Well… you could always put a curse on it and gift it to your enemy.
Let me know your thoughts below 👇🏻💕
Ladyink with love 