Why Collectors Are Paying Hundreds for the Green Grape Labubu Bag Charm
Labubu did not originate in a corporate focus group. Artist Kasing Lung created the mischievous elf character in 2015, drawing inspiration from Nordic mythology, folklore, and childhood storybooks. The creature belongs to Lung's broader fictional world, The Monsters, which features a cast of eccentric, forest-dwelling spirits. In 2019, Lung signed an exclusive global licensing agreement with Pop Mart, transitioning his limited-run resin art toys into mass-market vinyl collectables.
The turning point arrived when Pop Mart reimagined the character's physical format. Moving beyond rigid vinyl figurines, the company introduced the Tasty Macarons collection, merging a sculpted vinyl face with a tactile, faux-fur plush body and an integrated metal carabiner. Standing roughly 17 centimeters tall, the hybrid creation bridged the gap between display-case designer toys and wearable lifestyle items. Collectors no longer kept their acquisitions on bedroom shelves; they clipped them onto everyday carry items, sparking organic visibility across metropolitan transit hubs and university campuses.
