BTOB’s Yook Sungjae falls victim to Labubu scam

The rise of Labubu dolls has sparked a collectible craze in South Korea, but with popularity comes a downside. K-pop idols and fans are now facing a wave of counterfeit merchandise, and it’s even making international headlines.

First, rapper and TV personality Lee Young-ji recently found herself swept into this issue after she unknowingly purchased a fake Labubu figure. Hot on the heels of that news, BTOB’s Yook Sungjae is the latest idol to join the conversation, though with a humorous twist and fans couldn’t help but laugh online.

During a recent live broadcast, Sungjae excitedly unboxed his new Labubu blind box from Pop Mart, only to discover that one of the dolls was a fake. 

How did he discover that it’s fake? The keychain lacked the official Pop Mart marking, a telltale sign of a counterfeit. Without missing a beat, Sungjae dramatically brandished a toy sword and slayed the fake Labubu in a comical reenactment of a scene reminiscent of his past K-drama roles. 

Sungjae just realized that he got a fake(?) labubu when he opened the last box. That one didn’t have the white Popmart writing mark like the other 5. pic.twitter.com/m2hJ96dhJN

— fy (@meloverselify) July 28, 2025

This amusing response drew even more attention when BTOB’s loyal fanbase, known as Melodies, chimed in. They playfully suggested that Sungjae gift the counterfeit Labubu to fellow member Changsub, adding another layer of fun to the unfolding saga. 

While the incident with Sungjae may seem lighthearted, it underscores a broader issue that many collectors in Korea are now facing. The demand for character goods like Labubu is high and scammers are taking full advantage. 

For the uninitiated, Labubu is a mischievous and whimsical monkey-like character from the collectible designer toy series “The Monsters,” created by artist Kasing Lung and distributed by toy company Pop Mart.

Known for its distinctive look, often with big round eyes, a cheeky grin full of tiny teeth, and a wild impish charm, Labubu has become incredibly popular among collectors across Asia

With celebrities now sharing their experiences, more fans are becoming aware of what to watch out for in this booming market.

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