Even Zoe Tay is a Labubu fan: Inside the bag charm collections of Asia’s celebrities

From Lisa’s Monchhichi to Jolin Tsai’s Crybaby, Asia’s stars are turning plushies, blind boxes, and whimsical trinkets into must-have style statements, proving that charm comes in all sizes

Credit: Mediacorp and Getty Images
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Could the queen of Labubu be moving away from the collectible gremlins created by Hong Kong-born illustrator Kasing Lung? Blackpink’s Lisa seems to be eyeing a new collectible obsession: Monchhichis.

On Sept 4, the K-pop star broke the internet after sharing snapshots of her Japan trip on Instagram, where she was spotted carrying a Monchhichi Sweet Lollipop Girl charm in yellow on her Louis Vuitton P9 bag. Monchhichis are a line of plush, monkey-like toys from Japan, first released in 1974 by the Sekiguchi Corporation. While Labubus dolls put Lisa on the map as a trinket trendsetter, this playful switch hints at her evolving accessory preferences.

And Lisa isn’t alone, celebrities across Asia are embracing whimsical charms, plushies, and collectible accessories. Here’s a roundup of stars who just can’t get enough of these tiny treasures.

Araya Alberta Hargate

1/12

Known for her effortless red-carpet glamour, Araya recently added a touch of whimsy to her Louis Vuitton bag with Skullpanda’s You Found Me plush doll pendant. Part of the Pop Mart universe, this dreamy, playful collectible by Chinese artist Xiong Miao (aka Xiong Meow) instantly elevates her chic street style.

Tasha Low

2/12

Tasha’s bag is now a canvas for her playful side with her Crybaby Crying Again bag charm, an emotional art toy series by Thai artist Molly (Nisa ‘Mod’ Srikamdee) sold by Pop Mart. She even customised it with a mini sleeping mask, proving that style can be fun and expressive. “A little tearful it’s over, but forever grateful! Missing Emerald Hill already,” captioned the leading lady.

Karina 

3/12

Karina’s latest accessory picks bring a pop of color and personality to her designer bag, proving you don’t have to settle on just one charm. The Aespa member went all out with an alien keychain and a playful banana cat, showing her flair for mixing high fashion with whimsical touches.

Song Ji-a

4/12

Even in an elegant updo paired with a ribbed tank and jeans, Single’s Inferno star and Korean influencer Song Jia knows how to have fun with her style. She hung a pink Labubu from the Big Into Energy series on her Hermès bag and was spotted picking up Monchhichis from Karymarket in Seoul, expanding her trinket collection in the cutest way possible.

Song Ji-a

5/12

In a separate Instagram post, she gave fans a peek at her ever-growing collection of blind box figurines and collectibles. The unboxing video featured a Zimomo figurine and several Labubu Big Into Energy boxes, laid out alongside her Let’s Checkmate vinyl plush, proof that her blind box obsession shows no signs of slowing down.

Jisoo

6/12

Blackpink Jisoo pairs her signature poise with a dash of cuteness, hanging two Hello Kitty plush keychains on her bag, keeping fans swooning over every detail. Kawaii! 

Patricia Mok

7/12

The local comedian showed off her staggering collection, featuring over 30 Labubu plush dolls, along with Crybaby and Kuromi figures, leaving fans in awe of her trinket obsession.

Jolin Tsai 

8/12

Dancing queen Jolin takes her Crybaby obsession to the next level—literally, with a plush perched on her shoulder. She often hits TikTok, sharing videos of herself  posing and even breaking a move with her collection. Iconic!

Lee Teng

9/12

Singapore host Lee Teng may have welcomed his baby son in August, but he’s long been a proud dad to his collection of Labubus, cheekily captioning the post, “Only kids make choices! I want it all!”

Zoe Tay

10/12

Always ahead of her time, Ah Jie flaunted her Happy Halloween Party Series – Luminous Pumpkin Pendant last Halloween, complete with the #CuteLabubu hashtag. A whimsical array of toys in the background hints at her love for collectibles.

Zhao Lusi 

11/12

Zhao Lusi’s Upset Duck collection adds a funky focal point to her outfit, proving that cute plushies are the new style statement.

Jang Won-young

12/12

Another Skullpanda fan, IVE’s Won-young turns her black handbag into a playground for creativity, adorning it with her Winter Symphony series plush doll.

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