Labubu is neither Japanese nor Korean. It is a cartoon character created by Kasing Lung, an artist based in Hong Kong, China.
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First introduced as a character in the children’s book Mysterious Buka in 2015, Labubu’s prototype is an elf from Nordic forests, drawing inspiration from Nordic mythology. It features a round body, pointed ears, and a distinctive row of jagged teeth—appearing slightly mischievous, yet inherently kind at heart.
In 2019, Kasing Lung entered an exclusive licensing agreement with Pop Mart, a Chinese toy company, leading to the production and sale of Labubu dolls and merchandise in blind-box form. With its “ugly-cute and wickedly charming” aesthetic that balances contrast, alongside Pop Mart’s global operational strategy and viral social influence, Labubu has emerged as one of the most iconic Chinese trendy toy IPs of the 2020s.
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Though Labubu enjoys massive popularity in countries like Japan and South Korea—with numerous related videos trending on Japanese social media and products frequently selling out on Japanese official websites, and even sparking safety concerns due to overwhelming demand at offline sales in South Korea—its origin remains unchanged. As a trendy toy IP with a Chinese foundation, Labubu embodies the unique creative vision of Chinese designers and the influence of Chinese-owned enterprises, showcasing the global impact of Chinese cultural and creative works.
