An exhibition dedicated to Labubu's anniversary opened in Hong Kong. It turns out this doll already has a history
In Hong Kong, an exhibition titled Monsters by Monsters: Now and Then, dedicated to the 10th anniversary of the character Labubu, opened . It can be visited at the Asia Society Center until January 4. The creator of Labubu is Hong Kong artist and writer Kasing Lung (Lung Jiashan).
Labubu dolls. Photo: How2Work
The exhibition introduces visitors not only to Labubu but also to other characters created by Lung. The comic series The Monsters appeared in 2015, but the character's true popularity grew gradually. The image of Labubu – a toothy elf with rabbit ears – is based on motifs from Scandinavian mythology.
A key moment in the character's history was 2019, when Pop Mart signed an agreement with the author to release toys based on his works. In 2024, Labubu became one of the most sought-after collectible characters in East and Southeast Asia – from Hong Kong and China to Japan and Thailand. By 2025, the character had entered the global market and became recognizable in the USA and Europe.
Today, the Labubu collection includes over 300 different variants – they differ in color, shape, and size. The exhibition features plush, plastic, and even inflatable versions of the dolls.
The exhibition was organized by How2Work. As its representative Marco Cheung noted, the exhibition space is divided into thematic zones where one can trace the history of the creation of The Monsters series, the evolution of Labubu's image, and also the development of other characters – Zimomo, Tycoco, and Pato.
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