Labubus have risen in popularity in recent months, but there are plenty of fakes on the market – so here’s how to tell if your Labubu is the real deal or whether it’s an imposter
Labubus, the adorable furry creatures inspired by Nordic folklore, are taking the collectable world by storm. Yet, caution is advised as the market sees a surge in counterfeit versions.
These charming characters, complete with distinct ears, jagged teeth, and fur, carry a reputation for well-meaning mischief through their kind-hearted yet inadvertently troublesome nature, as reported by CNA Lifestyle.
Shrouded in mystery until opened, Labubu figures are available in ‘blind boxes’ at Pop Mart or from secondary sellers in the UK. Their fame skyrocketed following K-pop icon Lisa from Blackpink flaunting Labubu charms, propelling them to must-have status among both toy collectors and fashion lovers.
As collectable keyrings become increasingly popular, hanging from many bags alongside favourites like Jellycat and Monchichi, the question arises: How does one spot a bogus Labubu?
On TikTok, @emilia.chia showcased her own reseller-purchased figure, which could command a hefty sum online.
“This is the easiest way to tell if they’re real. First, you want to check that there’s a QR code here,” instructs Emilia, gesturing towards the packaging.
Emilia’s guidance doesn’t end there: “Then you use a coin to scratch the bottom of the QR code, which should reveal a few numbers.”
Once these numbers are revealed, the next step is crucial. “Once you have these numbers, you want to scan the QR code, and once you scan that, it should take you to this page here,” she explained, showing the website expected upon scanning.
Fans of the adorable Labubu should heed such advice to ensure their collections remain authentic.
You can begin by entering the “last four digits of the number that’s on the QR code” into the system. After you’ve entered the number, “click verify” to proceed.
Subsequently, if your Labubu is authentic, a green mark will be displayed with the confirmation: “Verified as genuine by Popmart”.
In one of the comments, it was noted: “There is a QR code on the actual Labubu, too, on the tag”.
Online content creator @theblindboxfactory also posted a video stating the genuine website that should pop up after scanning the QR code is Pop Mart’s, warning that some have been redirected to a “fake” site falsely confirming the product’s authenticity.
Furthermore, to validate if your Labubu is original, count its teeth; replicas often have an incorrect count when, in fact, they should possess nine.
Other clear indicators of a legitimate Labubu, shared by @beebesinthetrap, include a golden ‘the monsters’ logo on the keyring component, ears angled toward one another, a Pop Mart stamp on the left foot, a tag with a scannable QR code, and it should be accompanied by a cut-out that’s the same colour as the Labubu you have.