Where to Buy Authentic LABUBU ?

Chapter 1: The Artist Behind the Smile - Kasing Lung's Journey

A Childhood in Hong Kong's Creative Melting Pot

Born in the 1970s in Hong Kong, Kasing Lung grew up during the city's golden era of creativity, where Eastern traditions met Western pop culture. As a shy child who struggled to pronounce words correctly, young Kasing called rabbits "LABUBU" instead of their proper name—a mispronunciation that would later inspire millions worldwide.

Growing up in Hong Kong's dense urban landscape, Kasing found solace in drawing. His apartment windows overlooked neon signs and bustling streets, but in his sketchbook lived a different world—one populated by gentle monsters with crooked smiles. "I was the weird kid who thought monsters under the bed might actually be friendly," Kasing recalls in a rare 2023 interview with Hypebeast.

The Philosophy: Finding Beauty in Imperfection

After studying Fine Arts at the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Kasing spent years working as a commercial illustrator, feeling increasingly disconnected from his art. Everything changed during a 2015 trip to Norway, where he encountered traditional Scandinavian folklore about forest spirits with serrated teeth—creatures that were simultaneously frightening and protective.

This sparked an epiphany: What if monsters weren't meant to be perfect? What if their flaws made them more lovable?

LABUBU's design philosophy emerged from this revelation:

• The serrated teeth: Representing that even sharp edges can smile
• The elongated ears: Always listening, always understanding
• The mischievous grin: Finding joy in life's imperfect moments
• The plump body: Embracing comfort over conventional beauty

"LABUBU represents the parts of ourselves we try to hide," Kasing explains. "That nervous laugh, that crooked tooth, that weird hobby—these 'imperfections' are what make us real and lovable."

From Gallery Walls to Toy Shelves

Kasing's first LABUBU paintings debuted at HOW2WORK gallery in Hong Kong in 2015, selling for $3,000-$8,000 each. The exhibition, titled "The Monsters," sold out in three days. But Kasing had a bigger dream: making art accessible to everyone, not just collectors with deep pockets.

In 2019, Wang Ning, founder of POP MART, discovered Kasing's work on Instagram. Their collaboration would transform LABUBU from exclusive art pieces into collectible figures that anyone could own. "Art shouldn't live only in galleries," Kasing insisted. "It should live in bedrooms, on office desks, in backpacks—wherever people need a smile."

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Chapter 2: The Viral Moment - How LABUBU Conquered the World

The Quiet Beginning (2019-2023)

For four years, LABUBU grew steadily but quietly. Designer toy enthusiasts in Asia collected them, but mainstream success seemed distant. Monthly sales averaged 10,000 units globally—respectable, but not remarkable.

Everything changed in September 2024.

The BLACKPINK Effect: Lisa's Instagram Post That Broke the Internet

On September 15, 2024, Lisa from BLACKPINK posted a seemingly casual Instagram story: her coffee table covered in LABUBU figures, with the caption "My happiness corner 🦷✨". Within 24 hours:

• The post received 18 million views
• POP MART's website crashed from traffic
• LABUBU searches increased by 3,400% globally
• Resale prices jumped from $80 to $400 overnight

But Lisa wasn't done. In October, she appeared at Paris Fashion Week carrying a limited edition LABUBU Macaron keychain in pink. The entire Macaron series sold out globally within 72 hours. Stores in Bangkok, Seoul, Tokyo, and Shanghai reported lines of 500+ people before opening.

The Celebrity Domino Effect

Lisa's endorsement triggered a cascade of celebrity LABUBU moments:

November 2024: G-Dragon posts his custom LABUBU collection, featuring one-of-a-kind pieces designed with Kasing Lung. His favorite—a chrome silver LABUBU—reportedly cost $12,000.

December 2024: Jackson Wang reveals his 200-piece collection on a YouTube studio tour, calling LABUBU his "creative muse." The specific series he highlighted—Have a Seat—saw a 500% price increase.

January 2025: Bella Poarch creates a viral TikTok showing her "LABUBU morning routine," garnering 45 million views. Gen Z discovers LABUBU en masse.

February 2025: Chinese actresses Ouyang Nana and Angelababy are photographed at Beijing Airport, both carrying LABUBU bags. Chinese social media platform Weibo crashes from LABUBU-related searches.

Which Series Became Iconic?

Different celebrities drove different series to cult status:

• Macaron Series (Lisa's favorite): Pastel-colored LABUBU in dessert themes. The "Chestnut Cocoa" secret becomes must-have.
• Coca-Cola Collaboration (G-Dragon's pick): Vintage Americana meets contemporary art. Limited to 50,000 pieces worldwide
• Have a Seat Series (Jackson Wang's collection): LABUBU in contemplative poses. Represents mindfulness and mental health awareness

The Numbers Don't Lie

By March 2025, LABUBU's impact was undeniable:

• Monthly sales: 2.5 million units (250x increase)
• Instagram hashtag #LABUBU: 890 million views
• Average resale appreciation: 380% within 6 months
• Celebrity collectors: 200+ verified accounts
• Countries with official stores: Expanded from 8 to 47

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Chapter 3: The Hunt for Authentic LABUBU - A Collector's Guide

The Reality: Not Everyone Can Access POP MART Stores

While POP MART operates flagship stores in major Asian cities, collectors in Europe, North America, and smaller Asian markets face a challenge. The nearest official store might be thousands of miles away. Online releases sell out in minutes, crashed websites are common, and international shipping from POP MART is limited to select countries.

This scarcity created two problems:

1. Counterfeit explosion: Fake LABUBU figures flooded online marketplaces
2. Price gouging: Resellers charging 10x retail for authentic pieces

Enter RI-SON: Bridging the Global Gap

This is where specialized retailers like RI-SON fill a crucial need. Founded by collectors who experienced these frustrations firsthand, RI-SON operates differently from typical resellers.

How RI-SON Works:

Professional Buyers Worldwide: RI-SON employs buyers in Tokyo, Seoul, Bangkok, Shanghai, and Hong Kong who purchase directly from POP MART stores during releases. These aren't random purchases—they're strategic acquisitions based on global collector demand.

Global Logistics Network:

• To Europe: 7-18 business days express shipping from Hong Kong hub
• To UK:7-18 days express shipping from Hong Kong hub
• To North America: 7-18 business days priority air freight
• To Asia-Pacific:4-9 days regional express

Safe Packaging Innovation: Each LABUBU is wrapped in bubble wrap, placed in a protective box, then shipped in a larger box with shock-absorbing material. The packaging alone costs $12 per unit—but ensures your LABUBU arrives perfect.

Why Collectors Choose Alternative Sources

"I tried buying from POP MART directly for six months," shares Maria from United States. "Every release, I'd wake up at 3 AM for the Asian time zone launch, only to see 'Sold Out' after the site finally loaded. RI-SON got me the exact LABUBU I wanted within 10 days."

The advantages are clear:

• Guaranteed authenticity vs. gambling on marketplace listings
• Fair pricing vs. extreme markups from scalpers
• Reliable availability vs. fighting website crashes
• Expert curation vs. blind box uncertainty
• Collector community vs. isolated hunting

The Current Landscape: Where to Find LABUBU

Official Channels:

• POP MART stores (Asia-focused, limited international shipping)
• POP MART online (frequent crashes, instant sellouts)
• Licensed retailers (limited selection, markup pricing)

Trusted Alternative Channels:

• RI-SON: Direct sourcing from Asian markets, worldwide shipping
• Certified designer toy shops (verify authentication guarantees)
• Collector communities (peer-to-peer trading with verification)

Red Flags to Avoid:

• Prices significantly below retail (likely counterfeit)
• Sellers without authentication proof
• Stock photos instead of actual product images
• Shipping from countries without POP MART stores

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The Future of LABUBU: What's Next?

Upcoming Releases Collectors Are Watching

Based on insider information and Kasing Lung's recent sketches, collectors anticipate:

• LABUBU x Luxury Fashion collaboration (rumored with a French fashion house)
• Animated Series on Netflix (confirmed for late 2025)
• 10th Anniversary Edition featuring original 2015 exhibition designs
• Sustainable Series using recycled ocean plastic

Investment Perspective: Is LABUBU the Next KAWS?

Art market analysts draw parallels between LABUBU and KAWS, another artist whose toys became investment pieces. Key indicators:

• Artist credibility: Kasing Lung's fine art background
• Cultural impact: Multi-generational, cross-cultural appeal
• Celebrity adoption: Organic, not paid endorsements
• Production limits: Intentional scarcity maintains value
• Museum recognition: MoMA and V&A have acquired LABUBU for permanent collections

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Start Your LABUBU Journey

Whether you're drawn to Kasing Lung's philosophy of embracing imperfection, inspired by your favorite celebrity's collection, or simply charmed by that mischievous grin, LABUBU offers something unique in the designer toy world.

The beauty of LABUBU lies not in perfection, but in the joy of collecting something that makes you smile. Each figure carries a piece of Kasing Lung's childhood wonder, a touch of Hong Kong's creative spirit, and now, perhaps, a place in your own story.

For those outside Asia wondering how to begin, remember that authentic LABUBU figures are available through various channels. While POP MART remains the original source, trusted retailers like RI-SON have made these artistic treasures accessible to collectors worldwide, ensuring that geography doesn't limit your ability to join this global community of dreamers and collectors.

As Kasing Lung says, "LABUBU isn't about having the rarest piece or the biggest collection. It's about finding the one that speaks to you—the one whose imperfect smile reminds you that you're perfectly imperfect too."