Even if you are not doom-scrolling on social media, one will still be able to spot at least one Labubu doll (or in this writer’s recent experience, seven) whenever you are out.
The doll, which grown men have been known to get into fights over, first went viral after Blackpink’s Lisa was seen unboxing it earlier this year.
But it seems there is a limit as to how cute people are finding these Pop Mart-exclusive dolls.
The Labubu toys recently drew criticism after two were seen dressed in devotees’ clothes for Ling Lian Bao Dian’s Temple Nine Emperor Gods Festival in Tampines.
The white shirts and pants along with yellow sashes and headgear on the dolls were made by the temple directors themselves to resemble devotees.
In a TikTok video that has been viewed more than 780K times, 25-year-old part-time Taoist priest Li Zhitong asserts that he doesn’t know much about the Labubu trend, but their inclusion has “strengthened the relationship” of devotees and they all find it “cute”.
The clip even showed at least one toy heading to Changi Beach to join the ‘water invitation ceremony’.
Considering we have seen videos of these dolls even being brought to the dentist to get a set of sparkly braces, we can’t say we are too surprised.
Even Tampines MP Baey Yam Keng, who participated in the festival, was also seen gamely taking pictures with the dolls and posting it to Instagram.
However, it seems the inclusion of Labubu at the festival has drawn a mixed response with many taking to the comments to air their views.
One called out the dolls as “unholy” while another blamed Gen Zs for diluting the importance of the festival.
Umm… that netizen obviously hasn’t seen older people waving the Labubu toys around as they drink their morning kopi.
A self-proclaimed fan of the toy gave a more nuanced view and wrote, “Guys, I love Labubu, but they shouldn’t disrespect the temple with this doll”.
In fact, the temple’s chairman Louis Tan told 8world that it was their idea and felt the inclusion of the toys could help draw younger people to the festival.
Well, who is to say otherwise when even the temple didn’t make a fuss?