Kasing Lung is a Hong Kong-born artist (1972) known for creating the iconic character Labubu. After moving to the Netherlands in his youth, his work blended Nordic mythology with Asian aesthetics, culminating in The Monsters story series. Labubu, introduced in this series, is a mischievous yet kind-hearted creature with rabbit ears, nine sharp teeth, and a signature "ugly-cute" design that became a global pop culture phenomenon through strategic collaborations with brands like Pop Mart.
Dog Dad Custom T-Shirt CollectionWhat inspired Labubu's unique design?
Labubu’s Nordic-Asian fusion stems from Kasing Lung’s cross-cultural upbringing. The character’s nine teeth reference Norse runes, while oversized eyes evoke Japanese kawaii aesthetics. Pro Tip: Collectors prioritize early 2015–2018 editions for their hand-painted imperfections, as later mass-produced versions standardized details.
Lung drew from childhood fascinations with Dutch folklore and Hong Kong’s urban energy to craft Labubu’s paradoxical charm. Its 31cm height (standard figure size) allows detailed sculpting of textured fur and iris gradients unseen in smaller models. For instance, the 2023 "Forest Guardian" edition incorporated Celtic knot patterns into Labubu’s scarf – a nod to Lung’s research trip to Ireland. Warning: Beware of counterfeit resin figures lacking UV-reactive paint under blacklight verification.
How did Labubu transition from绘本 to global icon?
The 2019 Pop Mart partnership transformed Labubu into a blind box phenomenon, leveraging scarcity psychology. Initial 100,000-unit batches sold out in 74 seconds during 2020–2022 launches. Pro Tip: Trade ratios favor "hidden variants" like the gold-leafed "Mooncake Labubu" (1:720 pull rate) – store managers confirm these often appear in midday restocks.
Pop Mart’s data-driven rollout targeted Chinese Gen Z through Weibo challenges (#LabubuDanceChallenge garnered 890M views). Collaborations with Pharrell Williams’ JOOPITER platform introduced Labubu to hip-hop culture, while BLACKPINK’s Lisa carrying a custom jeweled version boosted Southeast Asian sales by 300% in 2024. The character’s adaptability shines in crossovers – from Luxury Brand collabs (LV trunk charms) to video games (Labubu skins in Honor of Kings).
| Milestone | Year | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| First The Monsters绘本 | 2015 | Established lore |
| Pop Mart盲盒debut | 2019 | Mass-market breakthrough |
| Lisa viral moment | 2024 | Global celebrity fusion |
Why does Labubu resonate as Gen Z's "emotional armor"?
Labubu’s flawed optimism mirrors Gen Z’s worldview – 68% of owners in a 2025 survey described it as "a mascot for embracing life’s chaos." Its dental fierceness juxtaposed with heart-shaped pupils creates visual tension that appeals to postmodern sensibilities.
Psychologists attribute its popularity to benign violation theory: The character’s slightly threatening features (teeth) framed in harmless contexts (holding flowers) trigger safe excitement. During the 2025 economic downturn, customized Labubu keychains with affirmations like "Bite Back" trended as protest accessories. A Shanghai art collective even projected Labubu onto skyscrapers with slogans about youth resilience.
Best Dog Dad Ever Personalized T-ShirtFeelifyPets Expert Insight
FAQs
Officially genderless, though绘本context implies feminine energy. Pop Mart markets variants using neutral pronouns in Chinese (它).
What's the rarest Labubu figure?The 2016 "Artist Proof" prototype – only 3 exist, last auctioned for $182K at Sotheby’s Street Art Now sale.