Devilish grins, fuzzy fur, big eyes, adorned with pointy ears — POPMART Labubus are clamoring into shopping bags worldwide. The internet’s newest sensation has shoppers lining up for hours outside POPMART stores to get their hands on the bag charm. Seemingly out of nowhere, Labubus has become an overnight sensation. But what’s with the hype? And are Labubus worth the long lines?
Labubu became famous after BLACKPINK’s Lisa shared her collecting hobby on Vanity Fair’s YouTube channel. In a video titled “Lisa’s Secret Obsession with POP MART,” the pop star revealed her fondness for Labubu, expressing her joy in collecting them. Lisa’s video quickly garnered 2 million views, prompting her fans to join the furry monster’s fan club. Her Instagram page, which has more than 100 million followers, featured different Labubus on her designer handbags. The popstar would accessorize her Louis Vuitton handbags with Labubus, adding to the monster’s hype. As people across the globe viewed her Instagram stories, Lisa sparked a Labubu buying frenzy. This would ultimately create Labubu’s increasing popularity and demand, with everyone wanting a Labubu of their own.
Despite the overwhelming craze, Labubus are overrated. The hype is another microtrend that the internet will forget in a few months. They’re pricey, poor quality, and their appearances are unappealing.
Starting with their prices, the furry devils range from $22 for a singular blindbox to $1000 for a MEGA Labubu. $22 for a blind-box plush charm is absurd when compared to other popular blindbox series, such as Sonny Angels and Smiskis, whose prices start at $11. Moreover, one Labubu can cost $24 when factoring in the state’s sales tax. With the costs of everything increasing, collecting Labubus just isn’t affordable for most people, especially at the base price point of $22.
Due to the current demand, POPMART’s Labubu manufacturers have produced them in large quantities. Oftentimes, these Labubus are defective with asymmetrical features, disfigured faces, and poorly stitched. At the cost of $17, consumers expect quality and a good-looking “designer toy”. Instead, they’re met with poor quality control as POPMART tries to keep up with the Labubu demand. Additionally, the demand has created difficulty for consumers, as they struggle to identify Labubus between real and fake, especially with the downhill production quality of the hairy monsters.
Ultimately, Labubu’s designs are just unpleasant. The creature’s sharp, jagged teeth make its appearance scary rather than cute. Its pointy ears give Labubus a devilish and sinister look. Additionally, Labubus’s eyes are uncanny, giving off nothing but a blank stare. The lack of expression in its eyes makes the bag charm depressing and bare, much like the baby from Toy Story. Besides its eyes, Labubus’s overall figure is frightful. The bag charm looks more like an ape than an adorable, cuddly monster.
With these factors in mind, Labubu is overrated. Although the social media hype is extreme and its microtrend continues on, Labubus aren’t worth the hefty prices. And as Labubus’ production quality persistently gets worse, consumers are better off purchasing other popular character series instead of spending their money on this furball.
