In 2015, Kasing Lung brought his distinctive imagination to life with the Nordic Fairy Tale picture book series, creating a fantastical world inhabited by The Monsters. These whimsical creatures embody both light and darkness, featuring characters like Zimomo, Tycoco, Spooky, and Pato. At the heart of it all is Labubu—the most iconic Monster—recognizable by her pointy ears and serrated grin. Though her mischievous appearance suggests trouble, Labubu is kind-hearted and always eager to help, even if her good intentions often lead to chaos. Her bright, cheerful smile reminds us that a little positivity can lift our spirits, even in the toughest times.

Among the many Monsters, Labubu is undoubtedly the star. Much like Toad in Super Mario Brothers, Labubu represents a tribe rather than a single individual. Still, one main Labubu—usually shown with brown fur—serves as the series’ mascot, frequently featured in promotional artwork. These playful, cat-sized creatures are famous for their devilish smiles, pointy ears, and endless energy. While they love pulling harmless pranks, their actions are always rooted in good intentions. Interestingly, all Labubus are female, although the tribe's leader, Zimomo, is male. Zimomo stands apart with his tall stature and spiky-ridged tail. In an interview, Kasing Lung revealed that the dynamic between Zimomo and the Labubus was inspired by The Smurfs and Papa Smurf’s leadership.

Some American collectors have drawn parallels between The Monsters and Where the Wild Things Are. Although there’s no official confirmation of this influence, their worlds did collide in 2017 during Lung’s solo exhibition at Paradise Toyland in Taiwan, where he showcased a special Labubu version of Max, the beloved protagonist from Wild Things.

Within the Labubu tribe, one character stands out—Mokoko. Said to mean "special" in Elvish, Mokoko lives up to her name with pastel pink fur, a white belly, curly eyelashes, and a heart-shaped nose. She’s an elusive figure, with only a handful of Mokoko plush dolls ever released, all exclusively sold at POP MART’s Pop Land Theme Park in Beijing. Most recently, Mokoko appeared as the ultra-rare secret figure in the Finding Mokoko blind box series.

While the Labubus share a similar appearance, the rest of The Monsters cast is delightfully diverse. Tycoco, for example, is a petite, spooky-cute skeleton and the boyfriend of the main Labubu mascot. Shy and gentle, Tycoco often finds himself the good-natured target of Labubu’s pranks. Their sweet relationship is a favorite subject on POP MART merchandise, especially around Valentine’s Day.

Other notable Monsters include Pipi, a pinkish creature with droopy ears and a sensitive, dreamy nature; Spooky, a ghost-like figure with a head resembling a bundled cloth under the moonlight; Yaya, a mischievous imp with a devilish smirk; and Pipo, a lively winemaker with big ears who stands a little taller than the rest. Each character brings their own magic to Kasing Lung’s enchanting world.

Credit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3A9jEPhGpKY

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