In the year 2024, a seemingly harmless plush toy has swept into Singapore, capturing the imagination of collectors and ordinary shoppers alike. Lapopo, a character born from Chinese brand Pop Mart, has quickly risen to fame in the island city-state, capturing hearts with her quirky design and mysterious background. If you haven't caught on to the craziness yet, Labubu is a character from “Labubu and The Monsters,” a story series created by Hong Kong-born artist Kasing Lung.
However, as demand for these beloved monsters grows, so does the shadow of controversy, with counterfeit dolls, legal disputes, and customs violations now associated with this once underdog toy.
The rise of Lapopo
Labobo is not just a plush toy; that it phenomenon. With his wide, innocent eyes and soft, stately figure, Lapopo quickly became a symbol of adult escapism in Singapore, a city that prides itself on being a modern cosmopolitan centre. Pop Mart, a Chinese toy manufacturer, has long been a champion of releasing limited edition collectible figures, but Labubu, which started out as a smaller version, has grown into one of its main characters.
The game's popularity skyrocketed in 2024, thanks in part to social media influencers and celebrity endorsements, including Blackpink's Lisa's much-publicized post. Carousell's 2024 Insights also found that searches for “Labubu” have displaced “Taylor Swift” to take fifth place among the top searches. Singaporeans were also stalking Labubu via Google searches (#3 trending SG news, #10 trending searches) To find new ways to obtain any commodity.
The combination of their exquisite appearance and the appeal of exclusivity has propelled Lapopo dolls to become a sought-after commodity. However, the request came at a cost. For many fans, the hunt for Labubu is as much about securing a rare piece as it is about keeping up with the latest trends.
Counterfeit products and consumer concerns
As Lapopo's popularity grew, counterfeiters moved quickly to capitalize on the craze. A recent case in Singapore highlights the lengths some are willing to go to capitalize on this trend. A woman who transferred S$220 to an online seller to buy a first-generation Labobo doll was shocked when she suspected the item was fake. Despite confronting the seller, I was met with refusal to issue a refund. Her frustration led to her filing a police report, highlighting the growing issue of counterfeit Lapopo dolls being circulated in the local market.
The spread of counterfeit goods has raised concerns about the safety of the local market. While buyers may expect the authenticity of a product from an official source, the line between an authentic product and a fake is becoming increasingly blurred, leaving many wondering how to differentiate between the two.
Legal problems for Lapopo fans
As if the counterfeiting issue was not alarming enough, legal complications have also arisen. Pop Mart, the creators of Labubu, have found themselves in the middle of several legal disputes in Singapore. Pop Mart on Facebook mail It said it had discovered cases of unauthorized use of Labubu images by certain brands, including Recoil and Playmade, to promote their products, or the use of Labubu figurines as promotional items.
PopMart stressed that it does not have “any official licensed partners in Singapore” and that it is taking steps to ensure their creations are sold through official channels only. For consumers, this means that those looking for authentic products must be diligent about where they shop and who they buy from.
To spot a fake Labubu product, look for signs like low-quality packaging, questionable QR codes, poor stitching, and cheap materials. Authentic Labubus products come with official Pop Mart logo tags and are made of soft, high-quality plush with fine detailing. Be wary of deals that seem too good to be true, as knock-off versions are often sold at lower prices. There are now a lot of websites that help new buyers find out whether their products are genuine or not.
Tariff disputes: the cost of fandom
As the craze continues to grow, Singapore's strict customs regulations are struggling to keep up with the demand for Lapopo dolls. In one highly publicized case, a woman who arrived from London was fined S$5,000 and refunded more than S$3,900 in goods and services tax (GST) after failing to declare the Labobo dolls she had brought with her. The hefty fine serves as a reminder of the need for transparency and the challenges posed by the emergence of a cross-border gaming culture.
Singapore Customs explained that any items brought into the country must be declared, regardless of their value. For fans hoping to import Labubu dolls, this is a stark reminder that the cost of fandom is not just the price of the toys themselves, but also the regulations that govern their entry into the country.
The Bigger Picture: Lapopo and the Singaporean Spirit
Lapopo's success in Singapore is more than just a trend of the game; It's a cultural moment. In a society where the lines between work and leisure are often blurred, Lapopo has provided an outlet for people to embrace their playful side. But like any cultural phenomenon, its rise has been accompanied by growing pains. Whether it's counterfeit merchandise, legal hassles, or customs disputes, the game's journey has never been smooth.
As Singaporeans continue to flock to stores and online platforms in search of Labobo dolls, the wider ramifications of the craze are becoming clear. Whether the joy of owning a Labubu is worth navigating this maze of legalities and counterfeit goods remains a question that only time will answer.
For now, Lapopo's place in Singaporean culture seems secure. The game may be small, but Lapopo's influence is not.
