Labubu ride wave of China soft power

Small, fuzzy and baring sharp teeth, Chinese toymaker Pop Mart’s Labubu monster dolls have taken over the world, drawing excited crowds at international stores and adorning the handbags of celebrities such as Rihanna and Cher.

- JING XUAN TENG LUNA LIN STUART GRAHAM

Beijing-based Pop Mart is part of a rising tide of Chinese cultural exports gaining traction abroad, furry ambas sadors of a “cool” China even in places associated more with negative public opinion of Beijing such as Europe and North America.

Labubus, which typically sell for around $40 (1,300 baht), are released in limited quantities and sold in “blind boxes”, meaning buyers don’t know the exact model they will receive.

The dolls are “a bit quirky and ugly and very inclusive, so people can relate”, interior designer Lucy Shitova told AFP at a Pop Mart store in London, where in-person sales of Labubus have been suspended over fears that fans could turn violent in their quest for the toys.

“Now everything goes viral... because of social media. And yes, it’s cool. It’s different.”

While neighbouring East Asian coun tries South Korea and Japan are globally recognised for their high-end fashion, cinema and pop songs, China’s heavily censored film and music industry have struggled to attract international audiences, and the country’s best-known clothing exporter is fast-fashion website Shein.