Get all your news in one place.
100's of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
The Conversation
The Conversation
Ming Gao, Research Fellow of East Asia Studies, Lund University

Labubu plushies aren’t just toys. They’re a brand new frontier for Chinese soft power

Labubu China Ming Gao Pop Mart Japan
Katerina Elagina/Shutterstock

One of the most sought-after items of 2025 isn’t a designer handbag or the latest tech gadget. It’s a plush elf with a snaggle-toothed grin.

Labubu (拉布布) is a global sensation. From David Beckham and Rihanna to Dua Lipa and Blackpink’s Lisa, celebrities – and even members of the Thai royal family – have been spotted showcasing their Labubu collections.

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100's of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
The Beach Boys’ Mike Love returns to the stage despite ‘facing serious health challenges’
The 85-year-old was helped on stage by actor John Stamos, who shared an emotional message about his ‘musical hero and mentor’
The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
Columbia woman spends $10 on a tiny Chipotle burrito and complains online. Then she finds out she allegedly offended the entire ‘burrito community’
That's a character-building experience.
We Got This Covered
We Got This Covered
Kelly Clarkson Slams Brooklyn Store After Being Treated Like She Couldn't Afford Its Products in 'Pretty Woman' Moment
Kelly Clarkson says an Art of Play employee treated her as though she could not afford its products. The Brooklyn shop has shared positive reviews but has not publicly explained the encounter.
International Business Times UK
International Business Times UK
Kelly Clarkson Blasts Brooklyn Store After Employee Allegedly Assumes She Can’t Afford Their Products: ‘You’re An Idiot’
Kelly Clarkson shared an alleged unpleasant shopping experience at a Brooklyn store, prompting fans to react and sparking backlash against the business.
Bored Panda
Bored Panda
Walmart shopper buys a Frigidaire ice maker and heads home. Then she opens the box and realizes she brought home a roach motel: ‘Want my money back’
What Should You Do If You Find Cockroaches in a Boxed Appliance You Just Bought?
We Got This Covered
We Got This Covered
Massachusetts man delivers tanks to a basement. Then he turns a corner and finds a life-size lion figure: ‘Everything cool, everything normal’
"Why is it so realistic?"
We Got This Covered
We Got This Covered
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.
Download on the AppStore Get it on Google Play