Get to Know Labubu, the Charm Hanging From Everyone's Bags

(SPOT.ph) The serrated teeth in a mischievous grin that seem like the stuff of nightmares (but cuter); the high, pointed ears and wide eyes; the fur covering of different colors—whether you're an avid collector or just someone seeing them dangling from your sister's bag, we bet you already know we're talking about Labubu.

Often accompanied by other accessories, they manage to stand out among other bag charms. And they also manage to be adorable despite the slightly creepy features. No wonder they've taken Manila by storm. Everyone today seems to be obsessing over these cute little creatures.

Also read: What Are Sonny Angels + Where to Buy These TikTok-Famous Figurines

The Labubu craze is real. Here's where to get them.

ICYDK, Labubu was created by Hong Kong-born artist Kasing Lung in 2015. It is said to be very kind-hearted and "always wants to help others while accidentally doing bad things." 

It is now among the (always sold out) blind boxes that Pop Mart is offering and is part of The Monster series, which is influenced by Nordic mythology. Labubus come in various forms, colors, and sizes, and they vary in rarity.

You know how it is with blind boxes; there's the excitement of not knowing what design you'll get, unboxing them, displaying them on your shelves, and, in Labubu's case, hanging them on your bags.

ICYDK, a blind box is a type of sealed packaging that keeps what's inside a secret until it's opened. The once-viral Sonny Angels follow the same concept, and Japan's humble Gacha balls are a cousin of sorts. Mini plushies and figurines pulled from these random draws can provide comfort and happiness to those collecting and Labubu is no exception. People even hop on a flight to get their hands on these babies.

ICYDK, Labubu was created by Hong Kong-born artist Kasing Lung in 2015. It is now among the (always sold out) blind boxes that Pop Mart is offering. It's part of The Monster series, which is influenced by Nordic mythology. Labubus come in various forms, colors, and sizes, varying in rarity.

These girl elves have recently been dominating everyone's lives as bag charms, with local and international celebrities joining in on the fun—BLACKPINK's Lisa, to be more specific, is often credited for its rise in popularity.

As seen on Instagram, you can spot them on Heart Evangelista's luxury bags. You'll also spot Marian Rivera with Labubu in mega sizes and even in the smallest plush pendants. There's also Ruffa Gutierrez and her mom, Annabelle Rama, showcasing their "babies" hanging on their bags.

How to spot a fake Labubu

Tuesday Vargas, too, who is an avid collector of these dolls, showed on a TikTok video how to quickly "legit-check" Labubus since there can be fake ones being sold online. 

At first glance, the Labubus have nine teeth, not eight. Their heads are not square, and their ears are high and long. The logo (The Monsters and Pop Mart) should be complete on the strap and the box. You should keep an eye out for the QR code, which will take you to a website for registration, where you'll encode the last four digits of the serial number. There will be a check mark if it's genuine. The Pop Mart logo or engraving should be present on the left foot. 

So how much is a Labubu?

The price depends on the variant, and according to the website, ranging from P600 to P51,000. While there's no Pop Mart here in the PH (yet), you can check out their outposts in other countries or online through the Pop Mart website.

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