your labubu is my sleep paralysis demon
don’t open the box if you’re not willing to fall in
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Angels HIIIII!!! Ok today I’m writing to you about something that I cannot seem to escape, no matter how many times I hit ‘not interested’ on TikTok - LABUBUS. If you don’t know what these creepy things are, you might wanna read the below. And if you collect them, I’m not here to yuck your yum, except… maybe I am because there is just something so menacing about those little dolls that makes me feel like they might try to murder me in my sleep.
Anyway, enjoy the newsy!
Luce xxx
Your Labubu is my sleep paralysis demon
You may have seen a tiny creature with big ears, a sharp grin, and a generally creepy vibe plastered across your timelines lately. That’s a Labubu.
Labubu is a mischievous little monster dreamed up by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung in 2015. Originally part of a storybook world called The Monsters, Labubu looks like a cross between a goblin, a gremlin, and the kid in class who always knew where the fire alarm button was.
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Her look is inspired by Nordic folklore, and first appeared as a quiet side character in Lung’s picture book series. She’s kind-hearted and well-meaning, but often causes chaos without realising it -and despite being drawn from fairy tales, she’s a capitalist icon.
Pop Mart, the Chinese toy company that licensed Labubu, turned her into a blind-box phenomenon: meaning, you buy a sealed box, but you don’t know which version you’ll get. Sometimes you pull a strawberry beanie Labubu. Sometimes a duck costume. Sometimes a “Secret” rare drop with a 1-in-72 chance of scoring. Either way, you’re buying.
Why is everyone obsessed?
Because this is the internet, and we’re all one serotonin-shaped trinket away from finding happiness, apparently. Labubu exploded in popularity after BLACKPINK’s Lisa declared on Instagram: “Labubu is my baby.” (She now owns a tie-dye furry version that is probs worth more than my rent.)
Fashion week girls were next. Rihanna, Olivia Attwood, Dua Lipa have them. Labubus were spotted dangling from Birkins, clutched like heirlooms outside Hermes shows, and clipped onto oversized Balenciaga totes.
How big is the phenomenon?
At the latest Pop Mart drop for the Big Into Energy series, people across Asia flooded malls and websites to try and snag one. In Bangkok, fans lined up at 2:30am. In Singapore, police were called. In Australia, collectors dropped hundreds just to chase a limited edition with a rainbow pin.
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Each new Labubu retails for around $13–$16 USD across Asia, but resale prices skyrocket. Some went for $90 USD on StockX just hours after launch. The super rare ones? They’ve hit £1,000+ (or around $1,250 USD) online.
Luce note: There’s even a political Labubu now. Singaporean MP Dr Lam Pin Min posted a custom Labubu wearing People’s Action Party merch - complete with tiny white pants and a miniature party tee. The People’s Action Party (PAP), btw, is Singapore’s ruling political party. Like, ruling since 1959 ruling. Think: deeply entrenched, sharply dressed, and rarely meme-fied... until now.
Okay but… why do people care this much?
It’s the mix. The mystery of the blind box. The dopamine hit when you unbox the one you were chasing. The limited drops. The celebrity hype. The nostalgia. The hope that if you just buy ONE MORE THING, your life will be perfect,
Personally, Labubu creeps me out, and this is just something I cannot get around. I’m sure she means well, but a warning from me: don’t open the box if you’re not ready to fall in.
India Fires Missiles Into Pakistan
Early yesterday morning, India launched missiles into Pakistan-controlled territory, killing at least 8 people and injuring dozens more, according to Pakistani officials. India says it was targeting "militant infrastructure" - sites it claims were being used to plan attacks on Indian soil.
Wait - what sparked this?
This comes off the back of a horrifying attack in Kashmir last month, where 26 Indian tourists (mostly Hindu men) were killed. India has accused Pakistan of backing the attack - something Pakistan denies. But since then, the two countries have gone into full-on escalation mode: diplomats expelled, borders closed, airspace shut, and now, actual missiles flying.
Luce note: Kashmir has been a flashpoint for decades. It’s a Muslim-majority region divided between the two countries, both of which claim it in full. It’s also home to separatist movements, heavy military presence, and communities that have lived through ongoing violence for generations.
Why this matters:
India and Pakistan are both nuclear powers. They’ve fought three wars already. Kashmir is a long-disputed territory. And with each tit-for-tat move, tensions get harder to walk back from. Civilian deaths are mounting. Political rhetoric is inflamed. And the international community is watching - but cautiously quiet.
This section is written by
, SYSCAs designer and leader of the cutest book club on the internet!!! Each week she pops in here to let you know what we’re up to, and to remind you to become a paying subscriber to join the book club xxHi guys!!! How are u!!!
The (cutest) book club (on the internet) has just started reading Babel by R. F. Kuang, a historical fantasy novel exploring the power of language in the context of colonisation and racism. This book was picked after I was super curious and posted a poll in our Fable lobby asking how keen members would be if we read a fantasy, and much to Lucy ‘s (literal fiction lover, fantasy hater) dismay, these were the results:
The fae and goblins of the club have spoken so we will be discussing and dissecting the novel chapter-by-chapter throughout May - I think it’s gonna be a goodie. (And just to tease, Lucy is already loving it!!!)
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I completely missed this wild trend. Thank you for the education. I think... I'm good. Yeah, no, definitely completely good. No thanks, labubu.
I also don’t get the hype around Labubu 😭