Cover The interactive zone of ‘Monsters by Monsters: Now and Then’, an immersive space featuring the Labubu collaboration with Pop Mart (Photo: courtesy of the artist and How2work)
The interactive zone of ‘Monsters by Monsters: Now and Then’, an immersive space featuring the Labubu collaboration with Pop Mart (Photo: courtesy of the artist and How2work)
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Celebrating the tenth anniversary of the creative partnership between Labubu creator Kasing Lung and toy company How2work, the ‘Monsters by Monsters: Now and Then’ exhibition features more than 800 Labubus and the artist’s manuscripts
Amid the lush greenery, historic architecture and art galleries of Asia Society Hong Kong, where fine art usually takes centre stage, an unexpected figure takes the spotlight this month: Labubu, the mischievous, elf-like creation of Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung.
Marking the 10th anniversary of Lung’s acclaimed series The Monsters, the Monsters by Monsters: Now and Then exhibition brings together more than 800 Labubu toys and figurines. The show commemorates a decade-long creative partnership between Lung and the designer toy company How2work, in collaboration with Popmart and Paradise and presented by HSBC.
After debuting in Shanghai and travelling to Taipei, the exhibition’s Hong Kong stop runs from December 15, 2025 to January 4, 2026, at the Asia Society Hong Kong Center. This edition features exclusive pieces inspired by the city, alongside manuscripts and personal items belonging to Lung—among them his favourite tea brand and an Ian Fleming novel—offering an intimate window into the artist’s inspirations and creative process.
Don’t miss: Meet the man behind the Labubu madness: Hong Kong-born artist Kasing Lung
Kasing Lung, the creator of Labubu (Photo: courtesy of the artist and How2work)
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From richly layered paintings to character designs steeped in whimsical philosophy, visitors can explore how The Monsters universe came to life. Labubu, originally one of the series’ side characters, shot to global fame after K-pop star Lisa of Blackpink was spotted accessorising her handbags with the doll, sparking worldwide fascination.
Lung’s creative journey began in 2015 with his picture-book trilogy—The Puca Story, Pato and the Girl and Miro’s Requiem—which together formed the imaginative world of Labubu and The Monsters. Deeply influenced by Nordic mythology, Lung’s fantastical creations have evolved over a decade into cultural icons that fuse art, pop culture and emotional depth.
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Zabrina is the Senior Editor, Arts and Culture of Tatler Hong Kong. She specialises in performing arts, visual art and film. Her wanderlust was first fuelled by the Mighty Rovers Antarctica Expedition 2010. Over the years, she has interviewed A-list artists and filmmakers, including Oscar winners Chlóe Zhao and Tim Yip, Golden Horse winner Sylvia Chang, In the Mood for Love cinematographer Christopher Doyle, Pachinko author Min Jin Lee, and Coachella’s first Chinese solo singer Jackson Wang. She won gold at the WAN-IFRA Asian Media Awards for her 2021 feature on the waves of hate crimes targeting Asian Americans.
