Labubu frenzy hits London: Chinese toy craze takes UK by storm

CGTN Europe

A fluffy toy from China is creating a buzz in the United Kingdom. It's called Labubu, an elf-like character who spreads all sorts of mischief.  Fans have gathered for a special event in London, many of them showing off their collections. CGTN correspondent Michael Marillier went along too.  #Labubu #China #toys #London

Transcript

00:00Meet Le Bubu, the little monster with a big heart.

00:11A lot of people think they are kind of creepy, but I think they're very cute, but they're

00:16also like a little bit evil.

00:18I'm obsessed, like I love them.

00:19But more artists cussing Lung is the man behind the monster.

00:24Lung was born in Hong Kong and raised in the Netherlands.

00:28He says he was inspired by the picture books he read while learning Dutch.

00:35I kept thinking back to my youth, all the stories that I read and loved so much.

00:40I found myself going back to those fairy tales that I loved when I was little, and so I wanted

00:45to make something that had always been in my heart.

00:50Chinese toy maker Popmart invited fans to meet Lung in London.

00:55They lined the streets outside Harrods, one of the UK's top department stores.

01:00I feel like I'm meeting my hero, and I cannot wait to get my Le Bubu signed.

01:05Almost all the people at this event were adults.

01:08They say toys aren't just for kids anymore.

01:11There's nothing wrong with being an adult and liking toys.

01:14I think it's fun.

01:15Why not?

01:16I think that's important, to stay youthful and just have fun, don't take yourself so

01:21seriously.

01:22Lung never dreamt that Le Bubu would become this popular, but he thinks people love the

01:27character because it shows that it's okay to be different.

01:34My designs are not supposed to be perfect.

01:37They're actually just like a real person in the real world.

01:40I'm not perfect, but people who are not perfect can still do things perfectly.

01:45They can achieve perfection, and that's the message that I want to send.

01:52Somehow Le Bubu connects with people.

01:56It may be a monster, but it's a monster full of meaning.

02:00Michael Merilia, CGTN, London.

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