🎊 Discover the adorable monster fairy that's taken the world by storm! From BLACKPINK's Lisa to global celebrities, everyone's obsessed with Labubu. Get the complete tourist guide to POP MART stores in Korea, including locations, purchase tips, and everything you need to know about this $200 million auction phenomenon!
Complete Guide to Buying Labubu at POP MART Stores in Korea for Tourists
🧚♀️ Meet Labubu: The Global Phenomenon
The Story Behind the Monster Fairy
Labubu is the brainchild of Kasing Lung, a Hong Kong-born illustrator who moved to the Netherlands at age 7. Born in 1972, Lung developed a fascination with Nordic folklore and fairy tales while struggling to learn Dutch as a child. Picture books became his trusted companions, sparking a lifelong love for illustration and mythical creatures.
🎨 Lung made history as the first Chinese winner of a European illustration competition in Belgium in 2003. He began creating toys in 2010, collaborating with Hong Kong design house How2work, before launching "The Monsters" series in 2015 - with Labubu as the star character.
Visit POP MART Korea Official Store ✨What Makes Labubu Special?
Labubu features large rabbit-like ears, 9 sharp teeth, and a mischievous smile that captures hearts worldwide. Despite having a masculine face, Labubu is officially female, adding to the character's unique charm and gender-fluid appeal.
💡 Nordic Mythology Inspiration: Labubu embodies the dual nature of Nordic elves - both cute and slightly sinister. This duality creates an irresistible "ugly-cute" aesthetic that resonates with modern collectors who appreciate imperfect beauty.
🏢 About POP MART: The Art Toy Revolution
Company Background
POP MART was founded in 2010 by Wang Ning in Beijing's Zhongguancun district. Starting as a general store, it transformed into a specialized art toy retailer in 2014, pioneering the blind box culture that's now sweeping the globe.
🎯 Global Presence: POP MART now operates 400+ stores across 30 countries, with collaborations spanning Disney, Sanrio, Marvel, and original IPs like Molly, Dimoo, Skullpanda, and of course, Labubu.
In Korea, POP MART Korea Co., Ltd. is led by CEO Moon Deok-il, with headquarters in Seoul's Yeongdeungpo district.
💸 Record-Breaking Auction Results
🔥 June 2025 Beijing Auction Sensation
On June 10, 2025, a one-of-a-kind 131cm mint-colored Labubu sold for 1.08 million yuan (approximately $150,000 USD) at Beijing's Phoenix Art Center, making headlines worldwide!
⚠️ This historic auction featured 48 Labubu pieces with total sales reaching 3.725 million yuan ($550,000 USD). Over 1,000 bidders participated, with 25% coming from international markets including Taiwan, Singapore, and Indonesia.
📈 Investment Perspective: Labubu achieved this milestone just 6 years after POP MART's exclusive licensing deal in 2019 - a feat that took Bearbrick nearly 20 years to accomplish.
Korean Resale Market Explosion
The Korean resale market has seen incredible price surges. In the first half of 2025, Labubu keychains originally priced at 21,000 KRW were resold for up to 163,000 KRW - a 676% price increase!
💸 Extreme Case: The "Labubu x Pronounce Fantasy Wings" collaboration piece, originally 128,000 KRW, now trades for over 1.5 million KRW on secondary markets.
🌟 Why Labubu Became a Global Sensation
The Lisa Effect and Celebrity Endorsements
Labubu's meteoric rise began in October 2023 when BLACKPINK's Lisa shared photos of her Labubu keychain collection on Instagram. This wasn't even a sponsored post - just genuine love for the character!
Celebrity Labubu Lovers
- Rihanna - Spotted with 2 Labubu keychains on her Hermès bag
- Kim Kardashian - Showcased her Labubu collection on social media
- Dua Lipa - Incorporated Labubu accessories into concert outfits
- David Beckham - Seen shopping for Labubu with family
- IVE's Jang Wonyoung - Certified Skullpanda (POP MART character) at airport in July 2025
- Thai Royal Family - Princess Sirivannavari's public Labubu love sparked nationwide fever in Thailand
The Addictive Blind Box System
🎲 Labubu's success stems from the blind box (random box) sales strategy. You never know which design you'll get until you open the box, creating a gaming-like experience that drives repeat purchases.
The ultra-rare "Secret Editions" appear with odds between 1/72 to 1/144, making them the holy grail for collectors worldwide.
🗺️ POP MART Store Locations in Korea
⚠️ Important Notice for 2025 Visitors
Current Status: Due to overwhelming demand causing safety concerns and long queues, all POP MART offline stores in Korea have temporarily suspended in-store Labubu sales as of July 2025.
Currently, only display items are available in stores. Purchases are only possible through online lottery systems. Resumption dates will be announced via official POP MART social media channels.
🏪 Store Locations for Tourists
🏙️ Seoul Metropolitan Area
- Hongdae Flagship Store - 56 Wausan-ro 23-gil, Mapo-gu (3 floors) 📞 02-6371-0702
🚇 Hongik University Station Exit 9, 2-minute walk - Myeongdong Premium Theme Shop - Jung-gu, Myeongdong 📞 02-319-9968
🚇 Myeong-dong Station Exit 6, 5-minute walk - COEX Mall Store - Gangnam-gu, Samseong-dong 📞 02-6002-6601
🚇 Samseong Station Exit 6, direct connection to COEX - I'Park Mall Yongsan - Yongsan-gu 📞 02-2012-2528
🚇 Yongsan Station Exit 1, 3-minute walk
🌏 Regional Locations
- Busan Samjeong Tower - Busan 📞 051-808-6606
- Starfield Anseong - Gyeonggi Anseong 📞 031-8092-1658
- Starfield Goyang - Gyeonggi Goyang 📞 031-5173-3036
- Shinsegae Centum City - Busan 📞 051-745-2383
- Suwon AK Mall - Gyeonggi Suwon 📞 031-240-1577
✈️ Tourist-Friendly Purchase Guide
🎯 2025 Purchasing Strategies for Visitors
1️⃣ Online Lottery System Mastery
Currently, the most reliable way to buy Labubu in Korea is through POP MART Korea's official online lottery system. You must secure a purchase voucher online first, then collect your items on designated dates at physical stores.
2️⃣ International Tourist Benefits
- English customer service available at major stores (Hongdae, Myeongdong, COEX)
- International credit cards accepted (Visa, MasterCard, UnionPay)
- Tax-free shopping available for purchases over 30,000 KRW
- Hotel delivery service for large purchases (available in Seoul area)
3️⃣ Perfect Timing Strategy
📅 New series typically launch on Thursday or Friday mornings at 10 AM KST. Restocks happen unpredictably, so check 2-3 times daily for the best chances.
4️⃣ Payment Speed Optimization
⚡ Set up credit card payments in advance rather than bank transfers. Popular items sell out within 5 minutes, making payment speed crucial for purchase success.
🌐 Tourist-Specific Tips
- Language Support: Download the POP MART Korea app with English interface
- Shipping Options: International shipping available to 20+ countries
- Cultural Context: Understand that queuing culture is strong in Korea - respect lines and store policies
- Currency: Prices listed in Korean Won (KRW) - 1 USD ≈ 1,350 KRW (as of 2025)
🎪 The Cultural Impact and Celebrity Effect
From Niche Collectible to Global Icon
What started as a niche designer toy has evolved into a cultural phenomenon. POP MART's international revenue increased 480% year-over-year in Q1 2025, largely driven by Labubu's global appeal.
📱 Social Media Frenzy: The trend extends beyond mere ownership. Fans create custom outfits for their Labubu figures, share styling videos, and participate in a global community of collectors who treat these figures like digital pets.
This "doll play" culture has created an entire ecosystem of custom accessories, with some fans spending more on outfits than on the figures themselves!
The Investment Angle
💎 While not officially investment products, rare Labubu figures have shown remarkable appreciation. Some Chinese media outlets joke about "Labubu being better than gold" as an investment, though this should be taken with caution.
🛒 Smart Shopping Strategies for Tourists
✅ Pre-Visit Preparation
Before Your Korea Trip:
- Follow @popmart_korea on Instagram for real-time updates
- Download the POP MART Korea app and create an account
- Set up international payment methods on the platform
- Research current series and decide on your wishlist
During Your Visit:
- Visit stores early morning (10 AM opening) for best selection of other POP MART items
- Bring passport for tax-free shopping (minimum 30,000 KRW purchase)
- Consider gift packaging services available at flagship stores
- Ask about exclusive Korea-only editions - some series are region-specific!
🚫 Avoiding Counterfeit Products
- QR Code Verification: Authentic products have verification QR codes
- Official Character Cards: Genuine items include character introduction cards
- Color Matching: Keychain colors must perfectly match the figure
- POP MART Authentication Stickers: Look for official holographic stickers
- Avoid street vendors: Myeongdong and tourist areas have many counterfeits
🎨 Understanding Labubu Series and Pricing
Popular Series for Tourists
Labubu comes in 300+ variations across different themed series. Here are the must-know collections:
- Classic Series - Original basic designs (13,000-15,000 KRW)
- Highlight Series - Current most popular line (15,000-21,000 KRW)
- Fairy Tale Series - Dressed as Red Riding Hood, Pinocchio, Snow White
- Sweet Series - Dessert-themed with macarons, jellies, cupcakes
- Collaboration Series - Brand partnerships (Premium pricing)
- Mega Labubu - Large format figures (268,000 KRW+)
Price Guidelines for International Visitors
🏷️ Standard pricing in Korea:
- Keychain figures: 13,000-21,000 KRW ($10-15 USD)
- Regular blind boxes: 15,000 KRW ($11 USD)
- Premium series: 21,000 KRW ($15 USD)
- Mega figures: 268,000+ KRW ($200+ USD)
🌍 Alternative Purchase Options for Tourists
Online Platforms Accepting International Orders
- POP MART Global Official Store - Worldwide shipping available
- Coupang (Korean Amazon) - Some sellers offer international shipping
- KakaoTalk Gift Shop - Limited availability for tourists with Korean phone numbers
- Chinese Tmall - POP MART official account with global shipping
- Amazon Global - POP MART official international accounts
Duty-Free Shopping Options
✈️ Incheon Airport and major duty-free shops occasionally stock POP MART products, though Labubu availability is extremely limited. Check Shilla Duty Free and Lotte Duty Free for rotating selections.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions for International Visitors
Q1. Why is Labubu so expensive compared to regular toys?
A: Labubu is classified as an art toy, not a regular toy. It's an individual artist's creation with limited production runs, celebrity endorsements, and high collector demand driving prices up significantly.
Q2. Can I buy Labubu at the airport when leaving Korea?
A: Airport duty-free shops occasionally stock POP MART items, but Labubu availability is unpredictable. It's better to secure purchases during your stay in the city rather than relying on airport shopping.
Q3. Is international shipping available if I can't find items in stores?
A: Yes! POP MART offers international shipping to 20+ countries through their global website. However, shipping times are 2-3 weeks, and some exclusive Korea series may not be available internationally.
Q4. Are there any Korea-exclusive Labubu designs?
A: Yes, POP MART occasionally releases Korea-limited editions during special events like "Toycon Seoul." These are highly sought after by international collectors and make excellent unique souvenirs.
Q5. What's the best souvenir strategy for tourists?
A: Focus on keychain versions rather than large figures for easy packing. Consider the "Sweet Series" or "Classic Series" as they're iconic and travel-friendly. Always keep original packaging for authenticity verification.
🎁 Perfect Korean Souvenir Strategy
Why Labubu Makes the Perfect Korea Memory
Labubu represents the perfect intersection of Korean pop culture influence (through K-pop connections), global design trends, and Asian art toy culture. It's a uniquely modern souvenir that captures the zeitgeist of 2025.
🎭 Unlike traditional Korean souvenirs, Labubu connects you to a global community of collectors and represents Korea's position as a cultural trendsetter in Asia.
📸 Instagram-Worthy: Labubu's photogenic qualities make it perfect for travel content creation, helping you capture and share your Korean experience with friends worldwide.
Remember: you're not just buying a toy - you're taking home a piece of contemporary art that's making waves from Seoul to New York! 🌟
🎊 Conclusion: Your Labubu Adventure Awaits
Labubu has transcended its origins as a simple character to become a symbol of modern collecting culture and global connectivity. Created by a multicultural artist inspired by Nordic mythology, produced by a Chinese company, popularized by Korean K-pop stars, and loved by celebrities worldwide - Labubu truly represents our interconnected world.
While in-store purchases are currently limited in Korea, the online lottery system and international shipping options ensure that determined collectors can still add these magical creatures to their collections. Whether you're drawn to the artistic vision, the collecting culture, or simply the undeniable cuteness, Labubu offers a unique way to connect with contemporary Asian pop culture.
🌟 Happy hunting, and may the blind box odds be ever in your favor!
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