BEIJING/HONG KONG – What started as a quirky character in picture books has now become one of the world’s most expensive plush toys. A mint-green Labubu doll recently sold for a staggering ₹1.5 crore ($172,000) at China’s Yongle Auction, setting a new record for designer toys and proving that nostalgia, hype, and exclusivity can turn a plush monster into a luxury collectible.
Breaking Down the Labubu Craze
1. The Record-Breaking Auction
| Labubu Doll | Sale Price |
|---|---|
| 4ft Mint Green | ₹1.5 crore |
| 5ft Brown | ₹1 crore |
| 48-Piece Collection | ₹5 crore total |
It remained a quiet cult favorite until Pop Mart transformed it into a blind-box toy craze. Then came the tipping point — celebrities like Lisa from BLACKPINK, Kim Kardashian, and Simone Biles flaunted their Labubu love, setting off a social media wildfire. Today, TikTok boasts 1.4 million+ videos under the hashtag #Labubu.
2. How Pop Mart Created the Hype
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Blind Box Strategy – Buyers gamble on rare versions.
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Collaborations – Luxury brands & artists boost exclusivity.
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Social Media Virality – 1.4M+ TikTok posts under #Labubu.
3. The Adult Collector Market
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$1.8B spent by adults on toys (U.S. Q1 2025).
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Pop Mart’s revenue surged 1,200% in 2024.
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Labubu now seen as an investment, not just a toy.
But this isn’t just about cute plushies. The June 10 auction saw a four-foot mint green Labubu doll top the charts at ₹1.5 crore. A brown five-foot version followed, sold for over ₹1 crore. With more than 100 in-person bidders and 1,000+ online, the event grossed nearly ₹5 crore.
Pop Mart’s savvy branding turned Labubu into an icon of both fashion and finance. According to 2025 data, adult toy buyers — especially women — now drive the market, which crossed $1.8 billion in Q1 alone.
From handbags to auction blocks, Labubu’s rise is a masterclass in modern pop culture, emotional storytelling, and marketing genius. And as demand continues to soar, Labubu’s journey is far from over.
1. A Cultural Symbol
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Represents imperfection & charm (Labubu “tries to help but fails”).
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Fashion statement – Worn as bag charms, keychains.
2. The Art Angle
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Kasing Lung’s sculptural designs blur toy/art lines.
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Auction houses now treat Labubu as contemporary art.
For more viral trends: TheQuickUpdate.com
Frequently Asked Questions (F&Qs):
Q1. What is Labubu and why is it trending?
Labubu is a quirky plush character created by artist Kasing Lung in 2015. It went viral due to celebrity endorsements and its success in Pop Mart’s blind-box collectible series.
Q2. Why did the Labubu doll sell for ₹1.5 crore?
The mint-green life-sized Labubu fetched ₹1.5 crore at Yongle Auction due to its rarity, celebrity fanbase, and growing demand among high-end collectors.
Q3. Who are the celebrities behind Labubu’s popularity?
Celebrities like Lisa (BLACKPINK), Kim Kardashian, and Simone Biles have publicly shown off their Labubu dolls, fueling its viral fame.
Q4. What makes Labubu valuable to collectors?
Labubu’s artistic backstory, emotional appeal, limited editions, and its positioning as both a fashion item and investment piece make it extremely desirable.
Q5. Is Labubu only popular in China?
No, while Labubu originated in Asia, it’s now a global trend, with strong followings in the US, Europe, and Southeast Asia, particularly among adult collectors.
Q6. Who organized the record-breaking Labubu auction?
The auction was held by Yongle International Auction in Beijing, known for modern art and designer collectibles.
Q7. What is Pop Mart’s role in Labubu’s success?
Pop Mart manufactured and marketed Labubu, integrating it into blind box collectibles and retailing through stores, vending machines, and global e-commerce.
Q8. Who created Labubu?
Artist Kasing Lung, originally for a children’s book series.
Q9. Why are they so expensive?
Rarity + celebrity hype + blind box psychology.
Q10. Where can I buy one?
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Pop Mart stores (China, Singapore, U.S.)
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Resale markets (StockX, eBay – prices start at ₹20,000+)
Q11. Is this a good investment?
High-risk – Prices fluctuate based on trends.
Q12. What’s the most expensive Labubu ever sold?
The 4ft mint-green doll at ₹1.5 crore.
