I think there is no one who has not seen the weird little creature that is viral on social media. If you’ve been scrolling through TikTok, Instagram and even Twitter lately, you’ve come across a strange-looking doll with wide, mischievous eyes and a slightly creepy grin. Yes, you’re right… I am talking about spooky and low-key adorable “Big Labubu”. This creature has taken the internet by storm. Not only this, but people are spending thousands of dollars like crazy just to keep the trend.
So… what even is Pop Mart Labubu? Where did this obsession begin? Why is it trending so hard? More importantly, is it worth the hype?
Let’s break it down.
What (or Who) Is Big Labubu?
Labubu is part of the MONSTERS series created by artist Kasing Lung. This series is produced by the designer toy brand POP MART, which is known for its blind-box collectables.
Interestingly, this haunted doll, Labubu, first appeared around 2014. But it wasn’t hyped until recently that the character blew up globally. Especially among Gen Z collectors and hypebeasts, the Labubu Halloween doll is something they must want.
Do you know about the doll itself? Let’s go into your imagination. Think Tim Burton meets kawaii culture. It’s a fusion of cute, creepy, and oddly charming things. It has a slightly distorted face and razor-sharp teeth that give an eerie look and come in dozens of different themes. You can find pirate Labubu, forest Labubu, wizard Labubu, and even chrome Labubu. Isn’t that ridiculous?
Some Big Labubu are rare, some are common, and the rare ones? Yeah… they’re going for thousands on resale platforms like StockX and eBay.
How Does It Go Viral?
This is the question that totally blames the algorithm game. At first, TikTok creators posted aesthetic unboxings, dramatic rare pulls, and shelf setups featuring full-blown Labubu collections. The blind box culture makes people curious. You never know what you’ll get, and when someone scored a “super rare” Labubu, it became a mini celebration.
The hype was already brewing, but then Blackpink’s Lisa’s Video with Labubu went viral all over social media. That became the power move for Labubu into the stratosphere. Lisa, being the fashion-forward icon, casually flexed the doll in a social media post. The results are on your Instagram feed. Fans rushed like crazy to buy any Labubu they could find, and the market went wild. Just like that, Labubu went from a collector niche to a certified pop culture phenomenon. Now, Labubu isn’t just a toy; it’s a Flex.
The Culture of Being “Creepy Cute”
Let’s be real! Gen Z is obsessed with the weird, the offbeat, and the anti-mainstream. Labubu is not a cute doll. Some people call it “the creepy little goblin doll.” But that’s part of the charm.
This Big Labubu doll has ugly-chic aesthetics that fit right into that Halloween vibe. Gen Z thinks it’s strange and memorable and stands out in a world filled with cookie-cutter cuteness.
It’s like saying, “Yeah, I could go for a classic Barbie or plush bear, but I’d rather vibe with this chaotic little gremlin.”
What is the Labubu Price?
You will be shocked to know people are wasting their hard-earned money like crazy. Labubu’s price range starts at around $300 and ends at $150,000. Some rare Labubu editions, especially event exclusives or collaborations, have sold for over $5,000 and more. It’s no joke.
The hype is driven by:
- Limited drops (hello, Social Media hype, artificial scarcity)
- Blind box culture (dopamine hit every time)
- Resale market flipping (like sneaker culture, but creepier)
- Social media clout (flex culture is real)
A whole collector economy is built around it. People join waiting lists, spend hours in line in front of Pop Mart, trade dolls like crypto, and flex hard to complete a full Labubu series.
The Reality Check!
Now, let’s flip the side and take a pause for a reality check.
I get it—it’s a cute doll (in a twisted way). I know it’s trendy, and collecting things is fun. But blowing your rent money on a 5-inch plastic figure? That’s wild.
Labubu is a designer toy, yes. It’s art for some. But it’s also riding the same wave of buying things just to stay trendy that fuels overpriced water bottles and $90 keychains. And while there’s nothing wrong with liking it, don’t get trapped in the hype vortex. It’s easy to get caught in the FOMO loop. But chasing trends blindly, especially the expensive ones, rarely ends well for your wallet.
Ask yourself:
- Are you buying it because you genuinely love it?
- Or because TikTok made you feel like you needed it to be cool?
Final Thoughts
You don’t need to go broke to look trendy. Labubu is an undeniably iconic toy doll right now. We have seen it in art exhibitions and on Lisa’s shelf; it represents the beauty of art, pop culture, and Gen Z aesthetics. But don’t fall into the trap of thinking you need one to stay on trend. Don’t think that if you don’t buy the Big Labubu or Labubu bag, society will not accept you. It’s just a trend, like thousands of trends that go viral, and boom, people forget. You don’t need to spend $1,000 on a toy to prove you’re cool or cultured.
Enjoy the trend. Admire the art. Maybe buy one that fits your vibe and your budget.
But at the end of the day?
It’s just a doll. Don’t let hype make you forget that.
