It happened again. You walk into a Pop Mart store, or maybe you’re just scrolling through TikTok, and there he is. That mischievous, sharp-toothed monster with the serrated grin and the tall ears. But this time, he’s different. He’s not just a forest elf anymore. He’s caught up in the Wings of Fortune Labubu craze, a series that has effectively hijacked the designer toy market.
Honestly, the hype is exhausting. It’s also completely understandable.
Labubu, created by Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung, has been around for years, but the recent explosion in the "Wings of Fortune" collection—and the broader "The Monsters" universe—has reached a fever pitch. We aren't just talking about plastic toys here. We are talking about cultural currency. If you've seen people hanging these plush charms off their $3,000 Hermès bags or lining up at 4:00 AM in Bangkok, you know the stakes.
What is Wings of Fortune Labubu Exactly?
Basically, this series is a subset of the massive "The Monsters" IP managed by Pop Mart. While the name is often used interchangeably with the "Have a Seat" or "Macaron" vinyl plush series, "Wings of Fortune" specifically leans into the more ethereal, luck-based aesthetics that appeal to collectors looking for more than just a toy. They want a totem.
The design language here is classic Kasing Lung. You get that signature Nordic folklore vibe mixed with a punk-rock edge. The "Wings of Fortune" iterations often feature the character in poses or outfits that suggest movement, divinity, or—as the name implies—luck.
Think about it. Why do we collect these?
It’s the "blind box" gamble. That dopamine hit. You buy a box, you shake it (though the pros say shaking is dead because of the new weighted inserts), and you pray you don't get a duplicate. With the Wings of Fortune Labubu, the "Secret" or "Chase" figures are the real prizes. These are the ones that flip on the secondary market for five or ten times their retail price within hours of a drop.
The Lisa Effect and Why the Secondary Market is Exploding
We have to talk about Lisa from BLACKPINK. We just have to.
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Before Lisa started posting photos of her Labubu collection on Instagram, the character was popular among "art toy" nerds. After she posted? Total carnage. The demand for anything Labubu, especially the plush charms and the Wings of Fortune-adjacent styles, skyrocketed.
Suddenly, a $15-$25 blind box became a $100 investment.
This isn't just organic growth; it's a "perfect storm" of celebrity endorsement and scarcity marketing. Pop Mart is brilliant at this. They limit the supply, create "region-exclusive" drops, and watch the resale platforms like StockX and Xianyu catch fire. If you’re looking for a Wings of Fortune Labubu right now, you’re likely competing with professional flippers and bots.
It's kind of wild. You're looking at a piece of PVC and plush that costs a few dollars to manufacture, yet it’s being traded like a commodity.
Spotting a Fake: Don't Get Scammed
Because the Wings of Fortune Labubu is so high-demand, the market is flooded with "bootlegs" or "reps." If you see a deal that looks too good to be true on a random Facebook marketplace ad, it’s a fake. Period.
How do you tell?
First, look at the fur. Authentic Labubu plushies have a specific texture—it’s soft but has a certain "bounce" to it. Fakes often look "matted" or shiny under direct light. Second, check the feet. Real Pop Mart figures have crisp, engraved branding on the soles. If the text looks blurry or the plastic feels "gummy," walk away.
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Also, the eyes. Labubu’s eyes are his most expressive feature. On the Wings of Fortune series, the eyes should be perfectly aligned. If he looks a little cross-eyed in a way that doesn't feel intentional, you're holding a knockoff.
The Artistry Behind Kasing Lung’s Creation
Kasing Lung didn't just wake up and draw a monster. He spent years in Belgium, heavily influenced by European fairy tales. That’s why Labubu looks different from the typical "kawaii" characters coming out of Japan. He’s a bit scary. He has 9 rows of teeth. He’s a trickster.
In the Wings of Fortune series, this trickster energy is softened by a sense of "blessing." It's a weird juxtaposition. A monster that brings you luck.
Collectors often argue about which version is superior. Is it the original vinyl figures? Or the new-age plush versions? Honestly, the "Wings of Fortune" vibe works best when it leans into the vinyl art toy roots. The paint applications on the authentic Pop Mart releases are surprisingly high-quality, with gradients that cheaper toys just can't replicate.
Why the Hype Won't Die Anytime Soon
People keep saying the "toy bubble" will burst. They said it about Beanie Babies. They said it about Funko Pops. But Labubu feels different because it has successfully bridged the gap between "toy" and "fashion accessory."
When you see a Wings of Fortune Labubu dangling from a designer backpack in Shanghai or London, it’s a signal. It says you’re "in the know." It says you have the patience to wait for a drop or the cash to pay a reseller.
It's status.
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Moreover, Pop Mart is expanding. They are opening theme parks. They are doing high-end collaborations. Labubu isn't just a character; he's the face of a global lifestyle brand. The "Wings of Fortune" series is just one chapter in a much longer story.
How to Actually Get Your Hands on One
If you're tired of paying 300% markups, you have to be tactical.
- Official Apps: Download the Pop Mart global app and turn on notifications. They do restocks at weird hours.
- The "Vibe" Check: Join Discord servers dedicated to designer toys. The community is surprisingly helpful at spotting where stock is landing.
- Flagship Stores: If you happen to be in a city with a flagship (like the one in London or the massive stores in China/Thailand), go there on a Tuesday or Wednesday. That's usually when the shipments hit the floor.
- Avoid "Unconfirmed" Boxes: On resale sites, people sell "confirmed" boxes (where they've opened the box but not the bag). These are safer but more expensive. If you buy a "sealed" box from a random seller, there’s a high chance they’ve already "weighed" it to ensure it’s not the Secret figure.
The Cultural Impact of the Monster Kingdom
We live in a world that’s increasingly digital. Maybe that’s why we’re so obsessed with these physical objects. Touching the fur of a Wings of Fortune Labubu or feeling the weight of the vinyl provides a tactile satisfaction that an NFT never could.
There's also the community aspect.
Go to any Pop Mart "swap meet." You'll see people from all walks of life—teenagers, corporate lawyers, grandparents—all bartering over a small monster. It’s a universal language. The Wings of Fortune series, with its themes of luck and prosperity, hits a specific chord in a global economy that feels, well, unlucky for a lot of people.
Actionable Steps for New Collectors
If you're just starting your journey into the world of The Monsters, don't just dive in and spend $500 on a rare Wings of Fortune Labubu.
- Research the Artist: Look up Kasing Lung’s early work. Understanding the "Nordic" roots of the character makes the collection feel more like art and less like a consumer product.
- Verify Before You Buy: Use apps like "Poizon" or "Dewu" to check market prices and authenticity. They have rigorous authentication processes that are much better than eBay.
- Set a Budget: It’s easy to get carried away. Decide if you are a "completionist" (someone who needs every figure in a set) or a "casual" (someone who just wants the ones that look cool).
- Display Matters: These aren't meant to sit in a dark box. Get a UV-protected acrylic case. Sunlight is the enemy of vinyl; it will fade the colors and make the plastic brittle over time.
- Check the QR: Most modern Pop Mart boxes come with a QR code under a scratch-off layer. Scan it. If it doesn't lead to the official "Pop Mart" verification page, you've been had.
The world of Wings of Fortune Labubu is fast-moving and often frustrating. But at the end of the day, there's a reason we're all looking for that little monster with the wings. He represents a bit of chaos and a lot of luck in a world that needs both. Stop worrying about the "investment" value for a second and just enjoy the design. After all, it's supposed to be fun.