Labubu mania, black markets and commodifying surprise: Unboxing the big business in blind boxes

Pop Mart Ion Orchard, the company's 10th and largest store in Singapore that opened in August. PHOTO: POP MART
A shopper at Pop Mart Ion Orchard on opening day. PHOTO: POP MART
Winding queues at Pop Toy Show 2024 at the Crybaby booth. PHOTO: POP MART
Pop Mart's The Monsters Have A Seat Series, which went viral after it was featured by Blackpink star Lisa. PHOTO: POP MART
New: Gift this subscriber-only story to your friends and family

SINGAPORE – These days, the hottest status symbol in Singapore is not a luxury bag. It is a little plushie keychain called Labubu – to hang on your bag.

A character in the illustrated The Monsters series sold by Chinese toy company Pop Mart, it went viral globally when South Korean girl group Blackpink’s Lisa first posted photos of herself accessorising her luxury bags with it in April.

Already a subscriber? 

Read the full story and more at $9.90/month

Get exclusive reports and insights with more than 500 subscriber-only articles every month

Unlock these benefits

  • All subscriber-only content on ST app and straitstimes.com

  • Easy access any time via ST app on 1 mobile device

  • E-paper with 2-week archive so you won't miss out on content that matters to you

Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.