Lessonpills

1

Think about these questions before watching. Share your ideas with a partner.

Think about a toy or collectible item that was incredibly popular when you were younger. What was it, and what do you think made it so desirable?
In today's world, what role do celebrities and social media play in creating a 'must-have' product or trend? Can you think of a recent example?
Some popular items are sold in 'blind boxes,' where you don't know exactly which one you're getting. How do you think this element of surprise and scarcity affects an item's appeal?

2

Watch the video carefully. Pay attention to the main ideas and key details.

Video script154 segments · click a timestamp to jump

TO UNDERSTAND HOW THEY TOOK THE

WORLD BY STORM, WE WENT HUNTING

FOR ONE OF OUR VERY OWN.

WHAT'S FUZZY, GOT NINE TEETH AND

HAS PEOPLE GOING ABSOLUTELY

CRAZY?

>> OH, MY GOD!

>> I GOT MY MEET LABUBU CREATEDG

KONG DESIGNER.

THE SO-CALLED MONSTERS ARE SOLD

IN BLIND BOXES, MEANING YOU

DON'T KNOW WHAT LABUBU IS

INSIDE.

THE DOLLS LISTED FOR $22 ARE NOW

IN SOME CASES FETCHING HUNDREDS

OF DOLLARS ON RETAIL SITES.

PEOPLE WAITING ON LONG LINES FOR

HOURS, JUST TO GET THEIR HANDS

ON THE LITTLE MONSTERS.

SO WHY THE SUDDEN CRAZE?

ATTRIBUTED TO ALL THE BIGGEST

CELEBRITIES FLAUNTING THEIR

LABUBUS, STARTING WITH LISA,

FOLLOWED BY HILLARY DUFF, DUA

LIPA AND SIMONE BILES WHO SCORED

BIG LIZZO EVEN GIVING THE DOLLSA

MENTION IN A NEW VERSE.

AND NBA PLAYERS SHOWING THE

WORLD THEIR LABUBU LOVE.

>> IS THAT A BUNNY ON YOUR HIP?

>> LIKE BEANIE BABIES, LABUBUS

ARE HAVING THEIR OWN MOMENT WITH

THEIR POPULARITY BOOSTING POP

MART INTO AN ALMOST $40 MILLION

COMPANY AS GOOGLE SEARCHES

SPIKED OVER THE LAST MONTH.

A FRIEND SAID SHE HAD A

DIFFICULT TIME FINDING ONE, SO I

FIGURED LET'S FIND ONE OURSELF.

FIRST UP, THE VENDING MACHINE,

WHERE 15 MINUTES AFTER THE MALL

OPENED, THE LABUBUS SOLD OUT.

>> YOU GOT LUCKY TODAY.

>> TURNS OUT, HE SCORED THE LAST

ONE.

YOU CAN SEE THEY HAVE ALL THESE

DIFFERENT DOLLS IN STOCK, BUT

WHAT'S SOLD OUT ARE THE LABUBUS.

NEXT UP THE STORE, WHERE THEY

ARE IN THEIR DISPLAY CASES BUT

UNAVAILABLE FOR SALE.

UNFORTUNATELY, THEY ARE OUT OF

THESE RIGHT NOW.

YOU HAVE TO RESERVE IT ONLINE

AND THEN COME AND PICK IT UP.

THEY DON'T HAVE ANY ON SITE.

SO WE HAVE TO TRY SOMEWHERE

ELSE.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE THE

DIFFICULTY IN GETTING THEM NOW?

>> IT IS REALLY HARD.

TAKING A GAMBLE.

SOME PEOPLE ARE HAVING TO RESORT

TO PLAYING CLAW GAMES TO GET ONE

OF THESE, WHICH MEANS WE WILL

TAKE A SHOT AT IT.

ALL RIGHT.

WAIT.

CAN WE GET ANOTHER SHOT AT THIS.

WE MET ALISON WHO GOT A LOT

LUCKIER THAN I DID.

>> FINALLY I GOT ONE.

I WANT TO SHOW YOU GUYS.

>> YOU WANT TO SHOW ME?

OKAY.

>> OH, MY GOD!

>> LOOK AT IT!

>> WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO NAME

IT?

>> MAYBE VANILLA.

>> IT WAS CLEAR FROM THE MANY

LABUBUS WE SAW IN THE WILD THAT

A MAJOR REASON WAS PLAYING

DRESSUP.

>> I GOT THIS CHAIN AT THE ARTS

AND CRAFTS STORE.

>> HER NAME IS DZ.

I FEEL LIKE WE WANT TO MAKE HER

COZY.

>> WE HAVE A GREAT SHARK ONE, I

BELIEVE.

>> THE OBSESSION EVEN TURNING

INTO A FAMILY AFFAIR FOR SOME.

>> I'M HAVING A POP MART PARTY

FOR MY BIRTHDAY, AN UNBOXING.

BUT WE STILL DIDN'T FINISH OUR

MISSION TO BUY A NEW LABUBU FOR

THE SHOW.

FINALLY AT A HOBBY STORE IT

HAPPENED.

>> THERE IS ONLY ONE LEFT.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH.

>> PROUD LABUBU OWNER RIGHT

HERE.

>> AND, FRIENDS, I HAVE THE

PRECIOUS LABUBU RIGHT HERE.

THAT IS PRECIOUS MERCHANDISE.

THE POINT IS, WE DON'T KNOW

WHAT'S GOING TO BE INSIDE OF

HERE, SO THERE IS TWO OPTIONS.

THERE IS ALSO A SECRET OPTION.

LET'S SEE.

READY?

SAVANNAH, YOU WANT TO DO THE

HONORS?

WANT TO CHECK IT OUT?

>> HERE IT IS!

LET'S CHECK IT OUT.

>> OH, LOOK.

YEAH.

>> THAT MIGHT BE LEGIT.

AGAIN, WE DON'T WANT A LABUBU

HERE.

>> IT IS A FAKE?

WHY IS IT A LAFUFU?

>> SO YOU GET THIS AS WELL?

>> LOOK, I GOT MINE RIGHT HERE.

I HAVE THE LITTLE CHAIN ON HERE.

>> SO CAN YOU PUT THAT ON YOUR

BACKPACK.

>> ON A BACKPACK, ON A PURSE.

SOME PEOPLE PUT THEM ON THEIR

BELT LOOPS.

CRAIG, I THINK THAT WOULD GO

WELL WITH YOUR SUIT.

CARSON, DO YOU WANT TO GET

INVOLVED HERE?

>> I'M GOOD.

>> LOOK, CRAIG.

OURS WANT TO BE FRIENDS.

>> ALL RIGHT.

BRIAN, THANK YOU.

THANK YOU FOR THE LABUBU.

>> I DIDN'T KNOW YOU GUYS WERE

TWENN GIRLS.

AMAZING.

>> YOU CAN FIND MORE ON LABUBU

MANIA ON OUR WEBSITE.

>> THEY REALLY LOOK LIKE IF A

BEANIE BABY.

I'M GOING TO SUE THEM BECAUSE

THAT'S MY NICKNAME FOR YOU,

CRAIG.

I HAVE BEEN

3

Answer these questions in your own words. Support your answers with evidence from the video.

01According to the video, what is the 'blind box' concept, and how has it influenced the dolls' resale price?

Sample answerThe 'blind box' concept means you don't know which specific Labubu doll is inside the box when you buy it. This has made some of the dolls much more valuable, with some reselling for hundreds of dollars even though they originally cost around $22.

02What major factor does the video suggest is responsible for the recent surge in Labubu's popularity?

Sample answerThe video attributes the craze to many famous celebrities showing off their Labubus. It mentions singers like Lisa and Lizzo, as well as NBA players, which made a lot more people want to get one.

03In what different ways does the narrator's search illustrate the difficulty of purchasing a Labubu doll?

Sample answerHis search shows how hard they are to get. First, a vending machine sold out just 15 minutes after the mall opened. Then, the official store had them on display but none to sell; you had to reserve them online. He even tried a claw machine and failed before finally finding one.

04Beyond the excitement of collecting, what does the video reveal about how owners interact with their Labubu dolls?

Sample answerThe video shows that a big part of the appeal is dressing them up and personalizing them. One person added a chain from an arts and crafts store, and another talked about making her doll 'cozy.' People also attach them to their bags and clothes.

4

Vocabulary

These expressions will help you communicate more naturally about this topic.

Examples

To catch on — to become popular or fashionable.

Usage note: This phrasal verb is often used to describe how a new idea, style, or product starts to become popular. It's common in both speaking and informal writing.

To be in high demand — to be wanted by a large number of people.

Usage note: This is a common collocation in business and retail. You can say an item is 'in high demand' or there is 'high demand for' an item.

To jump on the bandwagon — to start doing or supporting something that is already popular or successful.

Usage note: This idiom can have a slightly critical tone, suggesting that someone is following a trend without genuine interest, just to be part of the group.

A flash in the pan — something that is successful or popular for only a very short time.

Usage note: This idiom is used to describe a sudden success that is not repeated and doesn't last. For example, 'The singer was just a flash in the pan, with only one hit song.'

To have staying power — to have the ability to remain popular, successful, or effective for a long time.

Usage note: Use this to talk about classic products, ideas, or artists that don't just disappear after a short trend. It's the opposite of being a 'flash in the pan'.

5

Decide if each statement is true or false. Correct the false ones.

01The narrator was immediately successful in buying a Labubu from the first place he tried, a vending machine.

02The video mentions that the company responsible for Labubus, Pop Mart, has grown into a business worth almost $40 million.

03The designer who created the Labubu characters is from Japan.

04After several unsuccessful attempts, the narrator finally managed to purchase a Labubu at a hobby store.

05The video suggests the Labubu craze is similar to a previous trend involving collectible toys called Beanie Babies.

6

Complete the sentences with words from the box. One word is extra.

Word bank

01Due to the celebrity endorsements, the new collectible figures are in such high that stores can't keep them in stock.

02It seems like every influencer is promoting this product now; many companies are just trying to jump on the to boost their sales.

03Everyone thought that mobile game would be popular for years, but it turned out to be just a and was forgotten within a few months.

04Classic toy brands like LEGO have incredible , remaining popular with new generations of children decade after decade.

05It took a few months, but the new social media platform finally started to with younger audiences.

7

Choose the best answer based on what you heard in the video.

01What did the narrator learn when he tried to buy a Labubu at the official store?

02In addition to pop stars and actors, which group of celebrities was shown to be part of the Labubu trend?

03At the beginning of the video, how is the Labubu doll described?

04According to the video, which of the following is NOT a way that people display or interact with their Labubu dolls?

8

The Labubu Craze: Vocabulary Match

Test your understanding of vocabulary and phrases from the lesson about collectible toys.

Match each item on the left with the correct item on the right.

A

B

9

Discuss these questions with a partner. Try to use vocabulary from the lesson.

When a product is in high demand like the Labubu dolls, people often jump on the bandwagon. Do you think this behavior is harmless fun, or does it reveal a more negative aspect of consumer culture?
Think of a product or trend that really caught on in your country. What made it so popular, and in your opinion, was it just a flash in the pan, or did it prove to have staying power?
The video compares the Labubu craze to Beanie Babies. What factors determine whether a collectible that is in high demand will have long-term staying power or just be a flash in the pan? If you were a marketing executive, what strategies would you use?