(28 Jul 2025)
RESTRICTION SUMMARY:
ASSOCIATED PRESS
Berlin, Germany – 25 July 2025
1. Wide of first clients entering Pop Mart shop
2. Dolls in shop
3. SOUNDBITE (German) Cynthia, Labubu customer:
++SOUNDBITE STARTS ON SHOT1 AND IS PARTIALLY OVERLAID BY SHOT 4++
“I got one Zimomo in brown, that’s the dad of the labubus, the really, really big one, and then the same ones in white with wings, exactly what I wanted, so I think, perfect!”
4. Various of Cynthia holding doll, smiling
5. Various of people queuing outside a mall in Berlin for the opening of the first Pop Mart store in Germany
6. SOUNDBITE (German) Markus, costumer:
++SOUNDBITE STARTS ON PREVIOUS SHOT AND IS OVERLAID BY SHOTS 7-8++
"Since yesterday at 1 p.m., we’ve been standing here and were actually the first to enter the door. At that moment, junior said, ‘I’m not leaving this place anymore.’ I looked at my watch and said, ‘21 hours until opening,’ and he said, ‘I’m not leaving here.’ I wanted to talk him into going home and getting some sleep, then coming back at midnight. But there was nothing to be done; he absolutely wanted to stay here and has defended this spot until now."
7. People queuing
8. Labubu dolls
9. Various of people queuing
10. SOUNDBITE (German) Verena, costumer:
++SOUNDBITE STARTS ON PREVIOUS SHOT AND IS OVERLAID BY SHOT11++
“It’s just a nice thing, it’s sweet, it connects people, and we’ve gotten to know each other better through it. It just has something, it somehow speaks to you.”
11. Close of a pink Labubu doll
STORYLINE:
Hundreds of people queue outside a shopping centre in Berlin for the opening of Germany’s first Pop Mart store – the international brand known for its collectible designer toys.
At the centre of the rush is Labubu: a small, wild-looking character with pointed ears, a toothy grin and wide, expressive eyes.
First created in 2015 by Belgian-Chinese artist and illustrator Kasing Lung, Labubu originally appeared as a forest-dwelling monster in a series of picture books inspired by Nordic mythology.
Lung’s early stories featured gentle, strange creatures exploring ideas of identity and belonging, drawn in his signature rough-edged, childlike style.
In 2019, Lung partnered with Pop Mart, a Chinese company that has become a global force in the designer toy market.
Known for its blind-box packaging and artist-led designs, Pop Mart specialises in turning independent characters – like Labubu – into mass-produced figures and lifestyle merchandise.
Labubu became a hit with collectors in Asia, but its popularity exploded internationally in 2023 with the release of plush versions small enough to clip onto bags and backpacks.
Since then, Labubu dolls have appeared in the hands of celebrities including Rihanna, Kim Kardashian, and NBA player Dillon Brooks.
K-pop star Lisa of Blackpink posted hers to more than 100 million Instagram followers, helping to push Labubu into mainstream visibility.
On TikTok, #Labubu has over 1.4 million posts, showing everything from unboxings and makeup tutorials to Labubu-inspired fashion and cosplay.
The scale of this Berlin launch reflects just how big the brand has become, and how devoted some of its fans are.
AP video by Pietro De Cristofaro
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