The Labubu Dolls Craze (Videos, Information , & Comments That Were Published Before The September 3, 2025 South Park Episode)

East Money, Jul 10, 2025  #labubu #PopMart #Documentry

…”Discover the truth behind the Labubu doll craze that has swept the globe. This video dives deep into the phenomenon, exploring how Pop Mart's clever use of scarcity, blind boxes, and social pressure has turned these cute toys into a worldwide obsession. We'll uncover the psychological tactics that fuel the frenzy, from the fear of missing out (FOMO) to the thrill of a rare find.

Join us as we examine the impact of social media trends, influencer marketing (like BLACKPINK's Lisa), and the dark side of the resale market. Is it just a harmless collecting hobby, or are there hidden costs to this craze? We'll explore the financial and emotional toll on collectors.”

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Edited by Azizi Powell

Latest revision - September 5, 2025

This is Part I of a three part pancocojams series on Labubu dolls.

This post showcases two YouTube videos about the Labubu doll craze and provides information about that craze prior to September 3, 2025 when those dolls became the main plot of Season 27, Episode 4 of the American [adult] animated series South Park. *

Selected comments from the discussion threads for these two showcase videos are included in that post. That pancocojams post also includes a few comments from a reddit forum discussion thread hosted by a collector of Labubu dolls.

Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2025/09/which-is-real-and-which-is-fake.html.for Part II of this pancocojams series. That post is entitled "Which Are Real And Which Are Fake? -The Differences Between Labubu Dolls And Lafufu Dolls".

Click https://pancocojams.blogspot.com/2025/09/blog-post.html for Part III of this pancocojams series. That pancocojams post is entitled "Why Do Some People Think That Labubu Dolls Are Demonic?" 

The content of this post is presented for socio-cultural and entertainment purposes.

All copyrights remain with their owners.

Thanks to Kasing Lung, the creator of "Labubu" fictional characters and dolls. Thanks to all those who are quoted in this post and thanks to the publishers of these videos on YouTube.
-snip-
*Some information about the South Park television series is included in the discussion thread for this post.

WARNING- South Park includes profanity and material that isn't suitable for children.

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PANCOCOJAMS EDITOR'S NOTE
This post departs from the core mission of pancocojams of sharing information about and examples of music, dance, and other cultural indices that originate/d in African American culture and other Black cultures throughout the world.

Instead of that focus, this post presents information about a world wide trend or craze that Black people as citizens of the world along with all other people may be aware of or may be involved in.

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INFORMATION ABOUT LABUBU DOLLS
Source #1
From https://www.npr.org/2025/06/18/g-s1-72939/what-is-labubu-pop-mart-explained Labubu' is a plush toy that is causing a frenzy. Here's its origin story

June 18, 2025, Juliana Kim

Heard on All Things Considered

"It's a plush doll. It's a bag charm. It's a collectible that recently sold for six figures. But no, this wildly popular creature isn't a Gremlin or one of the monsters in Maurice Sendak's children's classic Where the Wild Things Are.

Meet Labubu.

Labubus come in a range of sizes as figurines and plushies, but the most popular come in blind boxes (more on that below) and are beloved among young adults and considered a popular fashion trend — often clipped to bags or belt loops.

[…]

Whether or not these toys are in fact "cute" is up for debate. But there's no denying that their toothy, mischievous grins and furry bodies have become a global sensation — sparking long lines outside toy stores, selling out online within minutes, and listing for double or triple their original price on resale markets.

[…]

Where does the name 'Labubu' come from?

Before they became highly sought-after collectibles, Labubus were storybook characters created by the artist Kasing Lung.

Born in Hong Kong, Lung moved to the Netherlands at age 7, where he quickly fell in love with Nordic fairy tales — especially those about elves. Inspired by the whimsical folklore, Lung launched an illustrated book series called The Monsters in 2015, featuring a playful tribe of female elves known as Labubus.

[…]

Labubus are described as kind-hearted and eager to help — though their good intentions can sometimes lead to chaos. According to Lung, there are about 100 different Labubus in the series. One of the storylines involves a Labubu who's dating a shy skeleton named Tycoco and often playfully teases him.

How Labubu became a global sensation

Lung released an artistic toy series inspired by the characters not long after The Monsters trilogy came out.

But the toy collection did not cause a global craze until he teamed up with Chinese toy company POP MART in 2019.

According to POP MART, the revenue generated from the first Monsters series launch "broke the sales record in the art toy category." Over the years, it has been spotted on the bags of pop singers like Dua Lipa, Rihanna, and Lisa from the K-pop group BLACKPINK.

Labubu dolls come in various colors and are sold in "blind boxes," meaning the figure inside is a mystery until opened. Part of the appeal is the surprise element, and the chance to unbox a rare "secret" doll.”…

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Source #2
From AI Overview
[I received this write-up as a result of my September 4, 2025 Google question "What are Labubu dolls and what are Lafufu dolls?" ] 

"Labubu dolls are official designer plush toy figures by Pop Mart, featuring a mischievous, pointed-ear character with a signature grin and nine teeth, originating from artist Kasing Lung's "The Monsters" series. "Lafufu" dolls are counterfeit versions of Labubu dolls, often smaller, poorly made, and potentially hazardous due to faulty parts and materials, posing choking risks to children.

What are Labubu Dolls?

Official Product:

Labubu is a character created by Hong Kong-born artist Kasing Lung, known for "The Monsters" series of collectible toys produced by the company Pop Mart.

Character Design:

Labubu is an elf-like character with pointy ears, large eyes, and a distinctive grin that shows exactly nine teeth.

Quality & Authenticity:

Authentic Labubu dolls are characterized by high-quality finishes, official Pop Mart branding and packaging, and a holographic sticker with a scannable QR code.

Origin:

The character was inspired by Nordic fairy tales.

What are Lafufu Dolls?

Counterfeit:

"Lafufu" is a term used to describe fake or knockoff Labubu dolls.

Safety Hazard:

Lafufu dolls pose a serious risk because they are often small enough for children to put in their mouths and can block their airway.

Poor Quality:

These fakes are noted for their poor quality, including breaking apart easily and releasing small pieces."...

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WHAT DO THE WORDS "BOBO" [PRONOUNCED "BOO BOO"] AND FUFU [PRONOUNCED "FOO FOO" MEAN?
DISCLAIMER- Considering the meanings of the word "bobo" in English and in other languages don't mean that those definitions are the complete or partial reason why Kasing Lung, the creator of "Labubu" fictional characters and dolls used those names for those characters.

Also, these definitions for the word "fufu" don't mean that was the complete oroartial reason why Kasing Lung or whoever used the coined "Lafufu" as a referent for fake Labubus. 

Write-Up #1
From AI Overview
[This Ai overview write-up for the meaning of the word "bobo" is a result of my September 5, 2025 Google question "What does the word "bobo" mean?]

"The slang term "bobo" can have multiple meanings depending on the context and region, most commonly referring to a fool, simpleton, or stupid person. It can also be a term of endearment for a best friend, a socioeconomic descriptor, or an insult for knockoff or cheap products.

Spanish and Tagalog Contexts

Fool or Stupid:

In Spanish-speaking countries, as well as in the Philippines, "bobo" is used to call someone stupid or a fool.

Best Friend:

In some contexts, especially as a term of endearment among friends, it can have a positive meaning.

English Slang

Knockoff or Cheap Product:

"Bobo" can describe inferior, knockoff, or cheap versions of something, such as shoes.

Hassle or Problem:

In some regions, like the Dominican Republic, a "bobo" can be used to refer to a problem or a complicated situation."...
-snip-
It seems very likely to me that the word "Labubu" was coined to mean "the bobo".  
 
It also seems very likely to me that the word "Lafufu" was coined because of its similarity with the word "Labubu". "Lafufu" = the fufu. Here's part of AI Overview's write-up for the meaning of the word "fufu"

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Write-Up #2
From AI Overview
[This Ai Overview write-up for the meaning of the word "bobo" is a result of my September 5, 2025 Google question "Does "bobo" mean mistake?]
"The term "bobo" does not directly mean "mistake" in common English usage; rather, it is a term for a "boo-boo", which can refer to a small physical injury or, informally, a silly mistake. However, the spelling "bobo" can have different meanings in other languages, such as in Spanish-speaking countries where it can refer to a dummy, a buffoon, or a foolish person.

In English:

Boo-boo: is the common English term.

It is used for a silly or careless mistake.

It is also a child's informal word for a small injury, like a cut or bruise.

In other languages:

Spanish: "Bobo" can mean foolish, silly, or a buffoon.

French: "Bobo" can refer to a small wound.

Therefore, if you heard "bobo" and thought it meant "mistake," you likely heard the term "boo-boo" and are thinking of it in the context of a blunder."

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Write-up #3
[This Ai overview write-up for the meaning of the word "fufu" is a result of my September 5, 2025 Google question "What does the word "fufu" mean?]

AI Overview - Fufu
  ..."Ethnic/Cultural slang:

Effeminate or Gay: The term "fufu person" can be used as slang to describe someone as gay or having behaviors traditionally considered feminine or inappropriate for a man.

Original meaning:

African Dish: The original meaning of "fufu" comes from West African cuisine, particularly the Twi language where it means "mash" or "mix". It refers to the mashed dish itself, made from ingredients like cassava, yams, or plantains.

How to understand the meaning:

Consider the context: The meaning of "fufu" depends heavily on where you encounter it. If it's in a conversation about Japanese media, it's likely the snickering laugh. If it's a derogatory term in a cultural discussion, it could refer to a person. If it's in a discussion about food, it's the West African dish." 

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COMMENTS FROM SHOWCASE VIDEO #1
This video is found at the top of this pancocojams post. Numbers are added for referencing purposes only

This post doesn't include any information about previous trends that are mentioned in some of these comments.  

The dates that are given for these comments refer to when these comments were published on YouTube i.e. "one month means "August 2025- prior to September 3, 2025" and "two weeks ago" means "around mid August 2025." 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94NI2Fi6pfQ

One month ago [retrieved September 4, 2025]

1.@Cheburashka59
"People are cuckoo for Labubu"

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2. @tangleslong499
"Reminds me of The Cabbage Patch Kids craze back in the 80s where people fight for dolls. If the creator of the CPK  had modern technology, he would have been very very rich.  Like all fads, eventually people will grow out of interest in them. Big mistake to set up too many pop mart stores. You dont need that many when you have the online store using the internet.  Smilarly, Blythe dolls became a sensation in the year 2000 and people buy old used Kenner Blythe dolls for over $1000- $2000+ but the community has now slowed down. Collecting and buying is not a bad thing. As long as they are happy and passionate about it we shouldnt really judge what other people do."

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3. @EunkyungKim-x5h
"please correct the voice recording around 0:45, 1:57 second as it shows China but it explains like it is happening in South Korea, which mislead misunderstanding."

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Reply
4. @kchabangu
"in the grand scheme of things what difference would it make? This is not to sound insensitive or to suggest Asian all look alike but updating the images within that segment wont change the message of the video. These dolls are popular, the hype started in Asia but have spread all over the world."

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5. @Oriental-perspective
"作为中国人,我们也不理解这个东西为什么能火。😂"
-snip-
Google translate from Chinese to English:
"As Chinese people, we don’t understand why this thing is so popular. 😂"

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6. @gary_tms
"作为住在泰国的新加坡华人，我也不理解这东西为何那么火 🤣"
-snip-
Google translate from Chinese to English:
"As a Singaporean Chinese living in Thailand, I don’t understand why this thing is so popular 🤣"

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7. @ulrich-tonmoy
"it became trend so to be on social media hype and trend they do everything

so as long as you can market correctly and create the hype you can sell sh-t* at the price of gold"
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*This word is fully spelled out in this comment.

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Reply
8. @YSKWatch
"but it's interesting to learn why it's so popular, maybe the knowledge can be useful."

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9. @TrendyChinese
"in Chinese,we'd say that LABUBU is a "顶流"(dǐng liú) toy , a Chinese slang term says someone or something is the ultimate trendsetter.Anything goes viral is "顶流"(dǐng liú)eyes-pink-heart-shape"

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10. @nelidahernandez6158
"Y do ppl act so inhumane is insane & ridiculous. Jus bc of an ugly stuff doll made in China, Korea, or anywhere else. Who cares. Jus like the cabbage dolls that every adult wanted for their child, ppl standing n lines & sleeping outside the stores jus to get another ugly fat doll. For wat? Jus to trash them after Christmas. To each its own."

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11. @nabeel1450
"I never buy that toy"

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12. @cac1504
"Disney toys have been doing the same thing for decades yet no one ever complain."

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Reply
13.@Goddess130
"They were cute at least this is evel like"

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Reply
14. @arod6boro
"Same as the value of diamonds n other precious stones n metals smh. Scarcity is the excuse for Rarity lmfao😂"

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15. @kennethjyden
"like pokemon"

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16. @marcuss5s5
"I want one. I think they're cute. But wth these people. Crazy!"

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4 weeks ago [retrieved September 4, 2025]

17. @klardfarkus3891
"Marketing people make a pact with the Devil."

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18. klardfarkus3891
"There is always some stupid money wasting fad."

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3 weeks ago [retrieved September 4, 2025]

19. @ThisismeThahan
"I live in Thailand and there are no drama"

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20. @melvinharris-h8x
"At least furbies talked"

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21. @Randomperson-f1g
"Id rather buy a lafufu then waiking up at 3 am just to wait at a Store with real labubus just to see that after the Store opend just After a few minutes  Theyre all gone"

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2 weeks ago [retrieved September 4, 2025]

22. @nyancatvr
"according to google. Are Labubus bad or good?

In the books, Labubus are female elf-like creatures with mischievous looks but good hearts. Lung partnered with China-based Pop Mart in 2019 to turn them into toys. Pop Mart says the toys may look “mischievous,” but they are actually “kind” and helpful."

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23. @Disneylover024
"In the 70's they came out with the Cabbage Patch Dolls and the same thing as with Labubu happened with Cabbage Patch Dolls.

 My mother was looking for a doll from my child as she was holding it other lady who tried to grab it out of her hands. Then a pull fight started until my dad came along. Both my children has the doll and I kept them all these years and gave them back to my adult children a year ago."

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August 24, 2025

24. @Pathos312
"I WANT MY LABUBU REEEEEEEEEEEEEEE"

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September 1, 2025

25. @Rwithme2
"Lmao I just bought the one design I actually liked on eBay. I don't understand why people are still buying these blind boxes."

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SHOWCASE VIDEO #2 -  Why has Labubu Doll blown Up Recently?

 

 @3DGarageworks, published one month ago  
-snip-
Here are some comments from the discussion thread for this YouTube video short.

Numbers are added for referencing purposes only.

https://youtube.com/shorts/oXRLkFvGYgA?si=1TWZ2jjzjBUd-Ca9

1 month ago [retrieved September 4, 2025]

1. @austinblake-bp2fj
"Naa the reason it is so loved is Because Lisa from Blackpink made it famous don't believe Popmart said it themselves thanking Lisa"

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2. @Soyaa123-m7g
"Not worth the money"

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Reply
3. @Hot_Dawgs22
"Fr"

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Reply
4. @ALJ4Z1_DR4WS, 4 weeks ago
"YEAH THEY LOOK LIKE THEYRE POSSESSED BY TELETUBBIES"

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3 weeks ago [retrieved September 4, 2025]

5. @BequerGonzalez-c5h
"Bro they are creepy"

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6. @Rock_Like_Lisa
"I ain't buying some toy which is not gonna tremd next week 💀"

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7. @shumailasabir7923
"Bro, the boo-boo’s are cursed🤬😱"

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8. @gegangen2008
"Voodoo doll"

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9. @Brentdanielbalintucas
"not worth getting look at and getting bad luck"

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2 weeks ago *[retrieved September 4, 2025]

10. @DavidGangteDG
" don't want it even for free."

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COMMENTS FROM A LABUBU COLLECTORS DISCUSSION THREAD ON REDDIT FORUM
Numbers are added for referencing purposes only. 

From https://www.reddit.com/r/labubu/comments/1mrqr4h/it_is_so_happy_to_dress_up_labubu/ r/labubu
1. MYDollwardrobe, August 14, 2025
"It is so happy to dress up Labubu

I think Labubu is a fashion star as she can hold all kinds of clothes with own style. Really amazing. 💗"

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Reply
2. Express-Kangaroo-265, August 15, 2025
"It’s my happy place too! Might be the only thing keeping me sane lol I 💕❤️ 💕 all of these outfits, but the ski ensemble and the Chanel boots are my faves!"

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Reply
3. MYDollwardrobe [OP], August 15, 2025
"Thanks for liking, it is so happy to meet so many people who love Labubu and we share ideas, full of love for Labubu. It is great! And I am so happy to discuss and share with all of you about Labubu's OOTD, she is amazing. 💗"

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This concludes Part I of this three part pancocojams series.

Thanks for visiting pancocojams.

Visitor comments are welcome.