--:-- [Theme music fades out]
--:-- Michelle Hackman: Welcome to The Journal, our show about money, business, and power. I'm Michelle Hackman.
--:-- Michelle Hackman: Today, we're talking about a global phenomenon that's taken the world by storm: LaBuboos. These cute, collectible plushies have become a sensation, and we're joined by Ebony Hall, a LaBubo influencer who's been at the forefront of the craze.
--:-- Ebony Hall: Thanks for having me on the show.
--:-- Michelle Hackman: So, Ebony, let's start with you. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and how you got into LaBuboos?
--:-- Ebony Hall: Sure. My name is Ebony Hall, and I'm 26 years old from Georgia. I'm a mom, and I'm also a LaBubo influencer. I create content around these adorable little monsters.
--:-- Michelle Hackman: [laughs] That's great. And for our listeners who may not be familiar, can you explain what LaBuboos are and why they're so popular?
--:-- Ebony Hall: LaBuboos are these little furry monsters that come in blind boxes. They're kind of creepy, but also kind of cute. They have pointy ears, big eyes, and wide, toothy grins. And the best part is, you never know what you're going to get when you open a box.
--:-- Michelle Hackman: [laughs] That sounds like a fun surprise. And I understand that LaBuboos have become a bit of a challenge to get your hands on. Can you tell us a little bit about that?
--:-- Ebony Hall: Yeah, it can be pretty hard to get your hands on a LaBubo. They're sold out all the time, except for when Pop Mart does a drop. And when they do, it's like a frenzy. People line up for hours, even days, to try and get their hands on one.
--:-- Michelle Hackman: Wow, that's crazy. And I understand that you've been documenting your LaBubo adventures on TikTok. Can you tell us a little bit about that?
--:-- Ebony Hall: Yeah, I've been documenting my attempts to get LaBuboos on TikTok. It's been a wild ride, and I've even gone viral a few times.
--:-- Michelle Hackman: [laughs] Congratulations on that. And I understand that LaBuboos have become a bit of a collectible item. Can you tell us a little bit about that?
--:-- Ebony Hall: Yeah, LaBuboos have become super collectible. People are even reselling them online for hundreds of thousands of dollars.
--:-- Michelle Hackman: [incredulous] Wow, that's insane. And I understand that there's even a secondary market for LaBuboos. Can you tell us a little bit about that?
--:-- Ebony Hall: Yeah, there's a whole secondary market for LaBuboos. People are buying and selling them online, and it's become a bit of a craze.
--:-- Michelle Hackman: [laughs] That's amazing. And I understand that Pop Mart, the company behind LaBuboos, has seen a huge surge in sales since the craze began. Can you tell us a little bit about that?
--:-- Ebony Hall: Yeah, Pop Mart's sales have more than tripled in the last year, and overseas revenue now makes up nearly 40% of the company's sales.
--:-- Michelle Hackman: Wow, that's incredible. And I understand that there's even a theme park called Popland where you can go and mingle with life-size La Boo Boo characters. Can you tell us a little bit about that?
--:-- Ebony Hall: Yeah, Popland is a theme park in China where you can go and meet the La Boo Boo characters. It's a really fun experience.
--:-- Michelle Hackman: [laughs] That sounds like a blast. And finally, I have to ask: do you think LaBuboos are here to stay, or are they just a passing fad?
--:-- Ebony Hall: I think LaBuboos are here to stay. They've become a cultural phenomenon, and I think they'll continue to be popular for a long time.
--:-- Michelle Hackman: Well, we'll have to wait and see. Thanks for joining us, Ebony.
--:-- Ebony Hall: Thanks for having me.
--:-- Michelle Hackman: [to the audience] And that's all for today's show. Thanks for listening to The Journal.
--:-- [Theme music fades in]
--:-- Michelle Hackman: If you like our show, follow us on Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. We're out every weekday afternoon. Thanks for listening, and we'll see you tomorrow.
--:-- [Theme music continues to play]
--:-- Announcer: The Journal is a co-production of Spotify and The Wall Street Journal. Get show merch here: https://wsjshop.com/collections/clothing.
--:-- [Theme music continues to play]
--:-- Announcer: For more episodes, visit our website at wsj.com/journal.
--:-- [Theme music continues to play]
--:-- Announcer: And don't forget to subscribe to our newsletter, What's News, for the latest business and financial news.
--:-- [Theme music continues to play]
--:-- Announcer: Thanks for listening to The Journal.
--:-- [Theme music continues to play]
