Who Started the Labubu Trend? The Real Story Behind the Global Phenomenon

The Short Answer: It Wasn't Just One Person

The Labubu trend wasn't started by a single person — it was a perfect storm of artist, company, celebrity, and social media culture all colliding at the right moment.

If you had to name one person, most people point to BLACKPINK's Lisa as the spark that ignited the global wave in 2024. But the real story is more interesting than that.

The Creator: Kasing Lung (龙家升)

Everything starts with Kasing Lung, a Hong Kong-born, Netherlands-raised artist who created Labubu in 2015 as part of his picture book series The Monsters (精灵天团).

Labubu was originally a mischievous forest精灵 from Northern Europe with nine sharp teeth and a signature "ugly-cute" expression. The character was an art toy before it was a global phenomenon — limited editions sold at art toy shows for serious collectors.

Kasing Lung's artistic vision gave Labubu its soul: the slightly sinister, deeply lovable character design that makes Labubu instantly recognizable.

The Company That Scaled It: Pop Mart

In 2019, Pop Mart partnered with Kasing Lung and transformed Labubu from an expensive limited-edition art toy into an affordable blind box collectible.

This is where the magic happened. Pop Mart introduced:

• Blind box mechanics — the thrill of not knowing which character you get
• Hidden rare versions — that drive collectors crazy
• Limited drops — scarcity that creates urgency
• Global retail expansion — Pop Mart stores and vending machines worldwide

Pop Mart built the entire infrastructure that turned Labubu from a niche art toy into a global collector obsession.

The Spark: Lisa and Celebrity Culture

In early 2024, BLACKPINK's Lisa posted Labubu photos on her Instagram — specifically the Macaron / Fall in Wild series hanging from her luxury bags (LV and Hermès).

The effect was instant and global:

• The Macaron series sold out worldwide within hours
• Secondary market prices skyrocketed 5–10x
• Thailand, Southeast Asia, and China saw unprecedented Labubu madness
• Other celebrities — including Rihanna — were soon spotted with Labubu bag charms

Lisa didn't create Labubu, but she absolutely triggered the global wildfire.

The Amplifier: TikTok and Social Media

Once celebrity interest spiked, TikTok and Instagram took over. The #LabubuUnboxing hashtag generated hundreds of millions of views. The character's distinctive nine-tooth grin and "ugly-cute" aesthetic proved perfect for short-form video.

Collectors posted "haul" videos, fake-vs-real comparisons, and styling tutorials. Labubu became a social currency — especially as a bag charm or phone accessory.

Key Timeline

• 2015: Kasing Lung creates Labubu in The Monsters picture book
• 2019: Pop Mart partners with Kasing Lung, launches Labubu blind boxes
• 2022–2023: Labubu builds strong following in China and Southeast Asia
• Early 2024: Lisa posts Labubu on Instagram — the global explosion begins
• 2024–2026: Labubu becomes a worldwide fashion and collector phenomenon

So Who Really Started the Labubu Trend?

Short answer:

• Created by: Kasing Lung (the artist)
• Scaled by: Pop Mart (the company)
• Ignited by: Lisa and celebrity culture
• Exploded by: TikTok, Instagram, and collector communities

Labubu wasn't "started" in the traditional sense — it was engineered and then triggered. Pop Mart built the perfect business model for a collectible trend, and Lisa's post was the match that lit the bonfire.

Note: Labubu is an IP owned by Pop Mart and created by artist Kasing Lung. This article is for informational purposes only.