00:00There's a new craze that's sparking online and in-store chaos wild enough to rival the Stanley Cup.
00:10Celebrities are sporting them, influencers are having fits about them, and customers are having physical fights over them.
00:16What are they? They're these ugly little plush dolls called Labubu.
00:20So how did they get us here?
00:21Introduced to the world in 2019, Labubu toys are collectible monster vinyl plush toys created by Hong Kong artist and designer Ka Sing Lung,
00:37and distributed by Popmart, a Chinese company notable for their collectibles.
00:41Labubu, Labu Labu, Labu Bu.
00:45The Labu Bu design comes from a fictional creature of the same name who first appeared in Lung's 2015 illustrated children's stories, The Monsters,
00:53influenced by Nordic mythology.
00:55Characterized by a monstrous, sharp-toothed grin and furrowed eyebrows juxtaposed with its overall cute appearance,
01:02big round eyes and a large head, Popmart describes Labu Bu as kind-hearted and always wanting to help,
01:07but often accidentally achieving the opposite.
01:10Labu Bu themselves are collectibles, and part of their inherent value lies in the scarcity of specific dolls.
01:15They're sold in blind boxes, meaning you never know what you're gonna get,
01:19mixing in the inherent thrill of purchasing the toy with the thrill of gambling.
01:22YouTuber Critical describes the clever sales tactic as akin to gacha mechanics,
01:27or loot boxes in video games, which can get people easily hooked.
01:30In my personal opinion, the reason it got so big is because of the gacha mechanics.
01:36It's a loot box, fundamentally.
01:38But why are teens and adults freaking out about a toy?
01:42Well, because it isn't just a toy, it's also a fashion accessory.
01:45And one that high-profile celebrities have started sporting.
01:48In October 2023, the first Labu Bu keyring line, Exciting Macaron, was released,
01:53turning the silly toy into a bag charm.
02:00And in April of 2024, K-pop idol Lisa of Blackpink posted an Instagram story
02:06sporting one of these bag charms on her designer bag.
02:08Lisa's Labu Bu use certainly fueled the rising craze,
02:11but she's not the only celebrity to be a known Labu Bu collector.
02:14Labu Bu have also been spotted dangling from the bags of Rihanna, Dua Lipa, David Beckham,
02:19and Emma Roberts.
02:20I went to Pop Mart.
02:21I waited in line, and I got...
02:23Have a seat.
02:24Labu Bu!
02:25And it isn't just traditional celebrities rocking the trend.
02:28Influencers and other users across social media have been posting unboxing videos
02:32and reacting to which Labu Bu's are revealed.
02:35Labu Bu unboxing!
02:37The unboxings generally result in users rejoicing like they just won Beyonce tickets.
02:41You got the seat!
02:43Can I have it?
02:44You got the seat, Greg!
02:45Oh my god!
02:46Or throwing tantrums like, well, a kid who didn't get the toy they wanted.
02:50It's not pink!
02:51I wanted a big one!
02:54But every craze, if it gets big enough, can lead to chaos.
02:57And as lines at Pop Marts grew longer and longer,
03:00naturally, customers started fighting about gaining access to the little monsters.
03:04People are learning!
03:05In addition to long lines, potential fights, and the blind box mystery,
03:09customers also have to deal with scalpers,
03:12reselling the dolls in the secondhand marketplace with exorbitant markups.
03:15Of course, the extreme hype over Labu Bu also led to a ton of parody content,
03:20as users couldn't help but make fun of The Obsession and its steep price tag.
03:23Notable YouTubers like Critical and Papa Meat have even made videos diving into The Obsession.
03:28What do you think of the Labu Bu craze?
03:30Are you all in on these little monsters,
03:32or will you be staying far away from the Pop Mart chaos?
03:35Let us know in the comments,
03:36and make sure to like and subscribe for the latest in internet culture.
03:48Obviously, I will see you next time.
03:54Let us know in the comments,
03:59and remember,
04:00let us know how to make fun of the Mantra Fire and the Adelaide � challenge
04:07against the odds.
04:08If I'm at the prospect,
04:09let us know that theob but in the impact of my Makah hereconometer advice,
04:13we'll see where we are going.
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