Calling all Labubu fans – this is not a drill. A new exhibition has just opened at the Asia Society Hong Kong Centre and it’s all about the most beloved ugly-cute figurines in the world: Labubu and his forest-dwelling companions, the Monsters. From now until January 4, 2026, the ‘Monsters By Monsters: Now and Then’ exhibition will celebrate the 10-year anniversary of Kasing Lung’s hit illustrated characters, detailing their whimsical origins and their evolution into pop culture phenomena, and showcasing original artworks.
It all started in 2015 when Lung released the Fairy Trilogy, a set of picture books depicting creatures that take inspiration from Norse mythology – these drawings would later become the eccentric characters that make up the Monsters. In some of the illustrated stories, you can even spot what look to be early versions of Labubu!
At the exhibition, visitors can dive into the past and present of Lung’s creations through various engaging zones. Start in the Journey & Paintings Zone to see a timeline of how Labubu and his friends came to be, and understand the backstory behind the ever-popular How2Work and Pop Mart merchandise collaborations. You can also admire large-scale sculptures and fantastical oil paintings of your favourite characters here. In the Sketches Zone, a collection of artwork offers a look into Lung’s creation process.
Continue to the Designer Toys Zone to be wowed by a curation of Labubu figurines and coveted crossover collaborations on display. If you’re head over heels for pastel-coloured Labubu bag charms, you’ll love the next room: pop your head into the Interactive Zone and be positively overwhelmed by the maximalist display of fuzzy Labubus – there are hundreds, if not thousands, of them lining every surface from floor to ceiling! Finally, take a trip back in time at the Picture Books Zone and see select illustrations from the Monsters Trilogy, which served as the cradle for this whimsical universe.
Fans of Labubu and his cohort of Monsters friends should definitely put this event on their calendars for the holidays – there’s only three weeks left to see the exhibition before it closes early next year. Visitors will also receive a special welcome gift when they enter the ‘Monsters By Monsters: Now and Then’ exhibition – how’s that for a souvenir?
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