In a stunning turn for collectible culture, a life-sized mint green Labubu figurine fetched over $150,000 at a recent auction in Beijing on the Chinese mainland.
Born from the The Monsters picture book series, Labubu was first sketched a decade ago by Hong Kong-born artist Kasing Lung. Back then, few could have predicted the furry figure would become a global sensation.
Pop Mart, a company based on the Chinese mainland, supercharged Labubu's fame by rolling out limited-edition releases, surprise 'blind boxes' and creative collaborations. Today, collectors worldwide chase rare Labubu variants online and at swap meets.
Yet Labubu isn't the first—and it certainly won't be the last—character to ride the collectible wave. Some fans say its charm and backstory lend it staying power, while others see it as another commercial fad.
For now, Labubu's $150,000 price tag tells the story: this mint green mascot can command attention. Whether it will maintain its foothold in the world of art toys remains to be seen—and for collectors, the next chapter is all part of the excitement.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
