How Labubu mania is taking over Korea, from customer fights to crazy resale market
Koreans have fallen in love with Pop Mart’s Labubu character, which has caused chaotic scenes and prices for limited editions to skyrocket
“Labubu is only available with a purchase ticket.”
This was the response from a staff member at Pop Mart’s Myeongdong shop in central Seoul, South Korea, on June 30 when asked if one could buy a key ring of the Chinese character Labubu.
The answer meant that only customers who had secured a preassigned ticket through an online lottery could purchase Labubu products, including dolls and key rings, on specific dates. On this particular day, only display items were available.
Labubu’s explosive popularity in Korea has caused chaotic scenes, including long queues before store openings and even physical altercations between customers. As a result, Pop Mart has halted in-store sales entirely.
