If you hear the word “Labubu” and go “Labu-who?” you are clearly not online enough, although that may be a good thing. For those not in-the-know, a quick explainer: the toothy plush collectibles are toys designed by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung. The authentic toys are only sold by the China-based store Pop Mart, and typically run between $20 and $30 but can retail for much, much more.
The Labubu characters now cover a full gamut of merchandise, but they are most popular as bag charms and keychains and are considered a status symbol for everyone from high schoolers to 30-year-old influencers.
The excitement has clearly reached fever pitch now; a life-size Labubu just sold in China for more than $170,000 according to NBC News. The four-foot doll was part of the world’s first auction dedicated to Labubus. The life-sized version of the doll is made of PVC and is the only one of its kind according to auction organizer Yogle Auction.
In total, there were 48 Labubu items up for auction, which all sold for a total of $525,000. Almost 1,000 people bid on the dolls, which included another five-foot doll that sold for more than $130,000, according to Reuters.
Life-Sized Version of Viral Labubu Doll Just Sold for $170,000 first appeared on Men’s Journal on Jun 11, 2025
