Kasing Lung: The Dreamlike World of Labubu’s Creator

In the intersection of fine art and collectible design stands Kasing Lung, a Hong Kong-born illustrator who transformed childhood doodles into a global phenomenon.

His creation Labubu—a pointy-eared monster with nine jagged teeth—has evolved from a character in his Nordic mythology-inspired series to a viral sensation embraced by celebrities and art collectors alike.

Straddling multiple worlds, Lung moves fluidly between Belgium and Hong Kong, between painting and toy design, between Eastern aesthetics and European folklore. His visual storytelling blends whimsical character art with surprising emotional depth.

This artistic journey began far from the designer toy movement that would eventually embrace him. Raised in the Netherlands without digital distractions, young Lung developed a rich inner world through fantasy drawings and storybooks.

From winning Belgium’s prestigious Illustration Award to seeing his Labubu figures fetch six figures at Christie’s, Lung’s career demonstrates how character design can transcend commercial boundaries to become legitimate contemporary art.

In this exploration, we’ll discover how Lung’s distinctive artistic vision creates imaginative creatures that speak to both playfulness and deeper human emotions.

Identity Snapshot

• Entity name: Kasing Lung (龙家升)
• Also known as: Creator of Labubu, The Monsters designer
• Lifespan: Born December 31, 1972 in Hong Kong
• Primary roles: Toy designer, Illustrator, Painter
• Nationality/schools: Hong Kong-born, Dutch-raised, Belgium-based
• Movements: Contemporary character art, Designer toy movement
• Mediums: Acrylic painting, Mixed media, Vinyl figurines, Plush toys
• Signature traits: Whimsical monsters, Jagged teeth motif, Fantasy-infused characters
• Iconography/motifs: Pointed ears, Asymmetrical eyes, Mythological creatures
• Geographic anchors: Hong Kong, Utrecht (Netherlands), Antwerp (Belgium)
• Mentors/students/patrons: Takashi Murakami (supporter), Howard Lee (How2Work founder)
• Collections & museums: Kaikai Kiki Gallery (Tokyo), Christie’s Hong Kong
• Market signals: Record sale of “Excited Plastic” (2021) for US$100,400 at Christie’s Hong Kong

What Sets The Artist Apart

Kasing Lung bridges worlds through his distinctively playful yet emotionally resonant character designs.

Unlike typical toy designers who prioritize commercial appeal, Lung infuses Nordic mythology and European folklore into contemporary characters with unexpected emotional depth.

His work sits at the intersection of fine art and pop culture collectibles, challenging traditional boundaries between high art and mass-produced toys. The monster character Labubu, with its jagged teeth and pointed ears, has transcended mere toy status to become a global cultural phenomenon.

Origins & Formation

Early Years

• Born in Hong Kong (1972) to parents who ran a Chinese restaurant in Utrecht
• Moved between Hong Kong and the Netherlands during childhood
• Developed drawing skills as a way to cope with language barriers and cultural displacement
• Influenced heavily by European fairy tales and picture books in absence of digital entertainment

Education & Early Career

• Completed Bachelor of Arts encompassing design, photography, and sculpture (1995)
• Returned to Hong Kong to work as an illustrator with Culturecom until 2003
• Relocated to Belgium during SARS epidemic, working in filmmaking and book illustration
• Became first Chinese winner of Belgium’s prestigious Illustration Award for “Mama is Weg”

Career Development

• Started collaboration with Hong Kong art toy brand How2Work (2011)
• Published first Chinese illustrated book “My Little Planet” (2013)
• Collaborated with Belgian writer Brigitte Minne on “Lizzy Wil Dansen” (2014)
• Created “The Monsters” series with Labubu character (2015)
• Signed exclusive licensing deal with Pop Mart (2019)

Movement & Context

Position in Designer Toy Movement

Kasing Lung occupies a unique position in the designer toy movement, blending European folklore with Asian toy aesthetics.

Unlike pure commercialists like Funko, Lung creates character-driven narratives with cultural depth. His work contains more emotional resonance than Takashi Murakami’s flat pop art style, yet maintains a similar crossover appeal between fine art and commercial products.

Comparative Analysis

• Kasing Lung vs. KAWS: While KAWS reimagines existing pop culture icons, Lung creates original mythological beings. KAWS employs hard edges and minimalist forms; Lung uses softer, more expressive characters with greater emotional range.
• Kasing Lung vs. Yoshitomo Nara: Both artists draw from childhood imagination, but Nara’s work contains more expressionist anger and isolation. Lung’s monsters embody mischief and playfulness with warmer emotional undertones.

Materials, Techniques, and Process

Artistic Approach

• Employs mixed media in paintings, combining acrylic painting with found objects
• Creates immersive, tactile experiences through layering techniques
• Develops character designs through traditional drawing before translating to 3D forms
• Utilizes digital tools sparingly, preferring handmade aesthetic in early design stages

Color Palette

• Favors bright, saturated primary colors for toy designs
• Employs complementary colors for visual impact in paintings
• Often uses contrast between playful colors and darker themes

Production Process

• Designs character concepts through sketches and paintings
• Collaborates with production companies for 3D modeling and manufacturing
• Maintains careful oversight of production quality and color specifications
• Hand-finishes select limited edition pieces for exhibitions and collectors

Themes, Subjects, and Iconography

Core Themes

• Childhood Nostalgia: Drawing from pre-digital era imagination
• Cultural Hybridity: Blending Eastern and Western folklore traditions
• Emotional Complexity: Creating characters that embody both light and dark emotions
• Playfulness: Maintaining a sense of joy and wonder even in serious artistic contexts

Recurring Motifs

• Pointed Ears: Symbolizing connections to elfin and fairy tale traditions
• Jagged Teeth: Representing harmless mischief rather than genuine threat
• Asymmetrical Eyes: Conveying emotional complexity and uniqueness
• Exaggerated Proportions: Creating immediate visual impact and recognition

Symbolic Meanings

Lung’s monsters serve as embodiments of the inner child—imperfect, sometimes mischievous, but ultimately good-hearted. The Labubu character specifically represents the acceptance of imperfection, with Lung stating he “wanted to create something unique that doesn’t need to be perfect—just like young people who refuse to be defined.”

Notable Works

The Monsters Series (2015)

• Medium: Designer toy collection, Mixed materials
• Current location: Various private collections worldwide
• Visual signature: Original monster characters including Labubu, Zimomo, Tycoco, Spooky, and Pato
• Why it matters: Launched Lung’s global recognition as a character designer
• Related works: The Story of Puca (2015), Pato And The Girl (2016), Milo’s Requiem (2017)

Excited Plastic (2021)

• Medium: Acrylic on canvas
• Current location: Private collection (sold at Christie’s Hong Kong)
• Visual signature: Expressive brushwork, vibrant colors, featuring monster characters
• Why it matters: Set auction record for the artist at US$100,400
• Related works: Various paintings exhibited at Kaikai Kiki Gallery

Labubu x Pop Mart Collection (2019-present)

• Medium: Vinyl figures, Plush toys, Various materials
• Current location: Worldwide distribution
• Visual signature: Over 300 variations of the Labubu character in different colors, sizes, and themes
• Why it matters: Transformed Lung’s character into a global phenomenon
• Related works: Collaborative editions with brands like Coca-Cola, One Piece

Exhibitions, Collections, and Provenance

Solo Exhibitions

• “THIS IS WHAT IT FEELS LIKE,” Hidari Zingaro, Tokyo (2020)
• “Everybody Knows,” The Landmark Atrium, Hong Kong (2024)
• Multiple exhibitions at Kaikai Kiki Gallery, Tokyo

Group Exhibitions

• Art Basel Hong Kong (2025)
• Designer toy exhibitions worldwide

Notable Collections

• Takashi Murakami’s personal collection
• Various celebrity collectors including members of BLACKPINK
• Private collectors across Asia, Europe, and North America

Market Performance

• Paintings have fetched up to HK$330,200 at auction
• Toy limited editions often appreciate significantly in secondary markets
• Strong crossover appeal to both art collectors and designer toy enthusiasts

Market & Reception

Auction Records

• “Excited Plastic” (2021): US$100,400 at Christie’s Hong Kong (2025)
• Price range for original paintings: US$15,000-100,000+
• Limited edition toys range from US$100-5,000 depending on rarity

Cultural Impact

• Labubu plush toys went viral in 2024 after BLACKPINK’s Lisa was seen with one
• Collector queues for limited editions at major department stores worldwide
• Featured on the cover of Perfect Magazine, establishing fashion credibility
• Counterfeit market has emerged, with knockoffs nicknamed “Lafufus”

Critical Reception

Lung’s work has been recognized both as commercial design and legitimate fine art. His exhibitions at Takashi Murakami’s galleries helped establish his credibility in the fine art world, while his licensing success with Pop Mart proved his commercial viability.

Influence & Legacy

Upstream Influences

• Nordic and Celtic mythology
• European children’s book illustrations
• Hong Kong comic and illustration traditions

Downstream Impact

• Helped legitimize designer toys as serious artistic medium
• Pioneered the “weirdly cute” aesthetic now prevalent in designer toys
• Bridged East-West design sensibilities in character creation

Cross-Domain Impact

• Fashion industry: Labubu has become a fashion accessory staple
• Collecting culture: Transformed toy collecting into mainstream activity
• Digital art: Inspired new generation of character designers on social media

How to Recognize a Kasing Lung at a Glance

• Character Signatures: Jagged, nine-toothed smile; pointed ears; asymmetrical eyes
• Color Application: Bold, saturated colors with strategic contrast
• Emotional Range: Seemingly cute characters with hints of mischief or melancholy
• Cultural Fusion: Nordic mythological references in contemporary context
• Material Versatility: Seamless translation between 2D illustrations and 3D forms
• Branded Elements: Characters maintain consistent features across different media
• Tactile Quality: Emphasis on touchable textures in both paintings and toys
• Narrative Hints: Characters suggest stories beyond their immediate appearance

FAQ on Kasing Lung

Who is Kasing Lung?

Kasing Lung is a Hong Kong-born illustrator and toy designer best known for creating Labubu, a character from his series “The Monsters.” Born in 1972, Lung splits his time between Belgium and Hong Kong, creating character art that blends European folklore with contemporary Asian design sensibilities. His work spans illustration, designer toys, and fine art painting.

What is Labubu?

Labubu is a mischievous monster character with pointed ears and nine jagged teeth, inspired by Nordic mythology. Created in 2015 as part of “The Monsters” series, Labubu gained massive popularity after Lung partnered with Pop Mart in 2019. The character has over 300 different versions and became a viral sensation in 2024.

What makes Kasing Lung’s artwork unique?

The uniqueness of Lung’s work lies in his blend of fantasy characters with emotional depth. Unlike typical toy designers, he infuses mythological references into contemporary collectibles. His distinctive visual style combines childlike imagination with sophisticated composition and character development, bridging fine art and pop culture.

Where did Kasing Lung study?

Lung studied art in the Netherlands, completing a Bachelor of Arts degree encompassing design, photography, publishing, and sculpture.

He later worked and studied in Belgium, where he made history as the first Chinese artist to win the country’s prestigious Illustration Award for his work “Mama is Weg.”

What materials does Kasing Lung use in his art?

For his paintings, Lung primarily uses acrylic paint combined with mixed media elements. His toy designs are produced in various materials including vinyl, plush fabrics, and rubber.

Lung’s creative process typically begins with traditional drawing before moving to digital design tools or three-dimensional modeling.

How much do Kasing Lung’s artworks sell for?

Lung’s painting “Excited Plastic” (2021) sold at Christie’s Hong Kong for US$100,400, setting his auction record.

Original paintings typically range from US$15,000-100,000, while limited edition toy designs can fetch anywhere from US$100 to over US$5,000 depending on rarity and condition. His market continues to strengthen as his popularity grows.

How did Kasing Lung become famous?

Lung’s journey to fame began with children’s book illustrations and winning Belgium’s Illustration Award.

His breakthrough came after creating “The Monsters” series in 2015 and partnering with toy giant Pop Mart in 2019. Global recognition exploded in 2024 when BLACKPINK’s Lisa was spotted with a Labubu accessory, sparking worldwide demand.

What influences Kasing Lung’s art?

Nordic and Celtic folklore form the foundation of Lung’s artistic vision. His childhood in the Netherlands exposed him to European fairy tales and picture books.

The absence of digital entertainment encouraged his imagination and drawing skills. This combination of Eastern and Western cultural influences creates his distinctive visual storytelling approach.

Does Kasing Lung have other characters besides Labubu?

Yes, Lung has created several other monster characters in “The Monsters” series, including Zimomo, Tycoco, Spooky, and Pato. Each has distinct personality traits and visual characteristics. While Labubu remains his most recognized creation, these other characters appear in his illustrations, paintings, and limited toy collections.

Where can I see Kasing Lung’s work?

Lung’s work has been exhibited at Kaikai Kiki Gallery and Hidari Zingaro in Tokyo, both run by Takashi Murakami. He has shown at Art Basel Hong Kong and The Landmark Atrium.

His commercial toy designs are available through Pop Mart stores worldwide, while original artwork appears occasionally at major auction houses like Christie’s.

Conclusion

Kasing Lung has redefined the boundaries between commercial toy design and fine art through his imaginative creature creations. His journey from Hong Kong to Europe and back represents a cultural fusion that enriches his visual storytelling.

The success of his monster characters demonstrates how fantasy-infused design can resonate across different markets and age groups. From exhibition spaces to fashion accessories, his work transcends traditional categorization.

What distinguishes Lung’s artistic approach is his ability to create texture in both emotional and physical dimensions. The imperfections in his characters reflect a deeper understanding of human connection.

As his auction prices continue to climb and his partnership with Pop Mart expands globally, Lung’s influence on contemporary character art grows stronger. His work reminds us that the most compelling artistic expressions often emerge from the intersection of childhood wonder and professional craftsmanship.