Editor's note: Jin Yuchen, CEO of AlphaLink, is a special commentator on current affairs for CGTN. The article reflects the author's opinions and not necessarily those of CGTN.

Who would have thought a bug-eyed, snaggle-toothed little monster with a wild grin and scruffy fur would take the world by storm and become one of the most coveted dolls today? Well, that doll is called Labubu. Neither a Western superhero nor a kawaii mascot from Japan, Labubu comes straight from China.

From Shanghai to Seoul, London to Los Angeles, fans are lining up outside Pop Mart stores or frantically refreshing shopping apps to get their hands on the limited-edition Labubu blind boxes.

It's not simply a toy; it's a phenomenon. More importantly, it marks the beginning of a significant shift: China's transformation from the world's factory into a cultural trendsetter.

For a very long time, the label "Made in China" meant scale, speed and affordability. Today, it is increasingly associated with innovation, emotional design and youth culture. Pop Mart, the Beijing-based company behind Labubu, is a prime example of this emerging trend. By combining creative storytelling with innovative design and the manufacturing might of the Chinese supply chain, Pop Mart has turned Labubu into a symbol of how China is exporting not just products, but culture.

Interestingly, Labubu is not cute in a conventional sense. Its expression is chaotic, even defiant. But in that weirdness lies its secret power. In a world saturated with polished perfection – on social media, in branding, in entertainment – Labubu feels real. It speaks to the emotional complexity of a generation that prizes authenticity over ideals.

That emotional resonance is no accident. Pop Mart has pioneered a model of cultural consumption built around scarcity, surprise and self-expression. Each Labubu figure is sold in a blind box. Buyers are usually unaware of which version they'll receive. This randomness fuels excitement and a strong desire to collect, and limited-edition releases add a layer of exclusivity. The Pop Mart experience is designed for the digital age, one that mirrors the dopamine loops of video games.

But Labubu isn't just a marketing success. It's a cultural statement. At a time when many young people feel overwhelmed and anxious, Labubu offers something rare: emotional companionship without judgment. It's a character that doesn't try to be perfect. It survives, smiles and keeps going. That quiet resilience has struck a global chord.

What's remarkable is that Labubu has achieved this without the support of films, TV shows or any streaming content. Unlike Mickey Mouse or Pokemon, it lives primarily through physical merchandise and community fandom. It proves that storytelling doesn't always need a screen. Sometimes, a 3-inch figure and a shared aesthetic are enough to build a world.

This phenomenon also reflects a larger shift in the Chinese industry. While BYD is transforming the global electric vehicle market, and DJI is leading in both commercial and consumer drones, Pop Mart is proving that China is establishing a strong foothold in cultural exports as well. Labubu is part of a new generation of Chinese IPs – alongside "Nezha," "The Three-Body Problem," and "Black Myth: Wukong" – that are asserting global relevance on their own terms.

By offering a youth-oriented, emotionally resonant response, Labubu represents a new kind of soft power – one that doesn't lecture but invites you to smile back at a monster.

That power transcends cultural boundaries. Pop Mart's stores in Tokyo, Bangkok and Los Angeles draw fans from all walks of life. In Paris and Berlin, collectors treat Labubu like limited-edition art. Online, global fan communities trade figures, create fan art and share unboxing rituals. Unlike previous generations of Chinese exports, which often focused on functionality, Labubu thrives on feeling.

But with popularity comes responsibility. If Labubu is to become a lasting cultural icon, rather than just a passing trend, it will need deeper and more resonant storytelling. Characters like Pikachu endured because they expanded into animation, games and media ecosystems. Pop Mart has an opportunity to do the same: Build narrative worlds around Labubu, explore its universe and offer fans more ways to connect.

Still, even without an animated series or feature film, Labubu has already done something extraordinary. It has proven that Chinese entrepreneurs and artists can create not only infrastructure and manufacturing power, but emotional icons that resonate globally.

It's a reminder that in today's world, culture travels in many forms, not just in blockbusters or concert tours, but in small plastic figures that sit on a desk, a dashboard or a dorm shelf, quietly watching, quietly connecting.

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