Celebrity Influence: The Rise of LABUBU Dolls and Toe Shoes in Pop Culture

The influence of celebrities is once again in the spotlight as items once popular among stars, such as dolls and shoes, gain traction among the general public through social media.

The most popular item, thanks to famous celebrities, is the 'LABUBU' doll. Created by a Hong Kong artist, LABUBU is a monster-themed character doll known for its fluffy fur, rabbit-like ears, and nine teeth. It is exclusively produced by the Chinese figure company 'Pop Mart,' which has several international locations.

The LABUBU trend in Korea began with BLACKPINK's Lisa, who posted a photo of herself with the doll on her social media. Initially, the response was lukewarm, but as Lisa's affection for the doll became apparent, its popularity soared. Lisa also introduced LABUBU to her fellow members Jennie and Rosé.

The LABUBU craze has spread to actors as well. Actress Go Hyun-jung, at 54, cherishes her LABUBU doll, keeping it on her bed. Lee Si-young and Hyeri have also been spotted with LABUBU keychains on their bags. Members of the globally popular group NCT WISH have even collected them as sets.

The demand for LABUBU dolls is unprecedented. Originally priced in the $20 range, some dolls now resell for as much as $690 due to their soaring popularity. A unique design once sold for a staggering $205,000, highlighting the craze. Even transparent cases to protect LABUBU dolls have appeared on KakaoTalk's gift service.

Due to limited supply, LABUBU has become a 'must-have' item, leading to counterfeit versions. Celebrities like ILEET's Wonhee and singer Lee Young-ji have fallen victim to fake products.

Buyers attribute LABUBU's appeal to its 'blind box' format, which adds an element of surprise and rarity. The limited availability, coupled with celebrity endorsements, has driven demand.

In the fashion world, 'toe shoes' are also gaining popularity. Initially worn by singer Lee Hyori, the shoes caught public attention. While initially seen as a niche item for celebrities with a natural style, the shoes have since been embraced by others.

Girls' Day's Sojin, BLACKPINK's Jennie, and actress Shin Min-a have all been seen wearing toe shoes, further boosting their popularity. Jennie notably wore white toe shoes as part of her airport fashion, causing a sensation and leading to a sell-out.

Priced between $100 and $200, these shoes are said to aid posture correction, alleviate ankle and knee pain, and promote natural walking and body balance. They are popular among those who want to feel the ground while walking.

Celebrities of all ages are actively sharing their fitness routines, such as Pilates and gym workouts, on social media. As a result, health-conscious toe shoes are expected to remain a staple in celebrity social media posts for the foreseeable future.

By Dayeon Jeong, TenAsia Reporter light@tenasia.co.kr