What is the original Labubu?

If you’ve scrolled through social media lately, you’ve likely spotted those cheeky, toothy grins dangling from bags or popping up in celeb selfies—enter Labubu, the plush sensation that’s got collectors in a frenzy. But what is the original Labubu, darling? Born from the whimsical mind of Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung in 2015, this elf-like monster with pointed ears and nine razor-sharp teeth first sprang from Nordic-inspired folklore in his picture book The Monsters. Think a mischievous woodland sprite meets a pint-sized gremlin, exclusively peddled by Pop Mart in those addictive blind boxes.

From folklore to frenzy

Diving into the Labubu original story, it’s clear this quirky character isn’t just a toy—it’s a slice of Kasing Lung’s childhood magic. Raised in the Netherlands after being born in Hong Kong, Lung drew inspiration from Nordic myths he devoured as a kid, crafting Labubu as a benevolent imp in his 2015 picture book series The Monsters. What started as hand-drawn whimsy evolved into tangible collectibles, first through How2Work toys that captured that serrated smile and pointed ears.

The Labubu original charm

Lies in its “ugly-cute” vibe, a kind-hearted monster who means well but often stirs up trouble—much like a cheeky sidekick in a prestige TV fantasy saga. Lung, now based in Belgium, poured his artistic soul into over 300 figurines by 2025, blending folklore with modern mischief. Pop Mart’s 2019 partnership skyrocketed its fame, turning blind boxes into a global hunt for rare editions.

Beyond the fluff

The Labubu original has sparked a cultural wildfire, with celebs like K-pop queen Lisa flaunting mega versions and boosting resale madness. News outlets buzz about how this plush phenom tripled Pop Mart’s profits, proving Lung’s creation is more than merch—it’s a soft power juggernaut echoing Nordic tales in today’s pop culture whirl.

The man behind the monster

Peeling back the layers of the Labubu original, we find Kasing Lung’s life story woven into its fabric—born in Hong Kong in 1972, he shuttled between cultures, soaking up Nordic folklore in the Netherlands. This zoomorphic elf, with its exaggerated expressions and scruffy charm, debuted as a central figure in his The Monsters series, embodying a playful twist on ancient myths that resonates globally today.

Market growth and collaborations

By 2025, the Labubu original has morphed into a billion-dollar phenomenon, outselling icons like Barbie and fueling Pop Mart’s meteoric rise. Recent collabs, like the limited-edition Moynat bags featuring Lung’s monsters, highlight its luxury crossover appeal, blending street art with high fashion in a frenzy that’s spawned fakes and fervent collectors across Asia and beyond.

The mystery and cultural impact

Diving deeper, the Labubu original’s allure stems from its blind-box mystery, where fans chase rare variants inspired by Lung’s evolving universe. News from 2025 buzzes with celebrity endorsements and resale booms, proving this toothy imp isn’t just a toy—it’s a cultural avatar capturing imagination, much like a whimsical character in a modern telenovela twist.

Evolution from page to phenomenon

Tracing the Labubu original further, its journey kicked off with Kasing Lung’s 2015 storybook debut but the real magic sparked through early How2Work figurines that collectors snapped up modestly. By 2019, Pop Mart blind boxes amplified its reach transforming a folklore-inspired elf into a viral collectible frenzy echoing global toy crazes.

Fast-forward to 2025 and the Labubu original has hit stratospheric heights—a June auction in Beijing fetched $170,000 for a massive 1.2-meter mint-green edition underscoring its investment allure. With over 300 variants released prices span from affordable $15 vinyls to lavish $960 mega figures fueling a resale market that’s as wild as a prestige TV plot twist.

Recent news spotlight the Labubu original’s luxury leap like the upcoming October 2025 Moynat collaboration where Lung’s monsters adorn high-end bags under LVMH’s banner. This crossover blends art toy whimsy with fashion elite spawning fakes and fanatic queues proving its enduring grip on pop culture’s playful underbelly.

Global grip and future fangs

Venturing further into the Labubu original saga, its 2025 spotlight shines on explosive growth, with sales hitting $1 billion and eclipsing Barbie’s reign, as per Economic Times reports. This quirky elf, born from Kasing Lung’s Nordic-infused tales, now fuels Pop Mart’s empire, blending folklore whimsy with savvy marketing that turns collectors into devoted hunters worldwide.

The cultural clout

The Labubu original’s cultural clout extends to unexpected corners, like mania in Serbia where plush dolls spark frenzied queues, or its role as a fashion-fandom hybrid spawning counterfeits galore. Lung’s creation, once a modest storybook star, embodies 2025’s avatar of speculation and joy, much like a breakout character in a reality TV showdown.

Looking ahead

Looking ahead, the Labubu original promises more mischief with October’s Moynat drop, but its true essence remains Lung’s heartfelt nod to childhood myths— a toothy reminder that monsters can be benevolent, captivating hearts from Beijing auctions to global resale wars without losing their impish soul.

The original Labubu unveiled

At its core, the Labubu original is Kasing Lung’s 2015 folklore-fueled creation— a benevolent, toothy elf from The Monsters that evolved from storybook pages to a global collectible empire. By 2025, with billion-dollar sales and luxury collabs, it remains a whimsical nod to Nordic myths, proving even monsters can conquer hearts without losing their cheeky bite.