A growing counterfeit scandal is shaking up the celebrity world, as multiple stars have allegedly fallen victim to a scam involving fake Labubu merchandise. The popular designer toy, known for its quirky charm and collector’s value, has become a target for counterfeiters — and even high-profile names weren’t spared.
ILLIT’s Wonhee
On June 23, ILLIT’s Wonhee wrote a message via a fan communication platform, saying, “Unnie, I got scammed.” Alongside the message, she uploaded a photo of a Labubu character doll, a collectible figure that’s been trending across South Korea. Unfortunately for Wonhee, the item turned out to be a low-quality fake.
“This really isn’t it,” she wrote. “I’m so dumbfounded.”
She explained that she had inspected the item before purchasing it and was fooled by the box’s professional appearance. Despite the mishap, fans found her candid confession endearing, with many praising her down-to-earth charm.
This lighthearted anecdote arrives amid a high point for ILLIT. The girl group, comprising Yunah, Minju, Moka, Iroha, and Wonhee, released their latest mini album “bomb” on June 16, marking their official comeback.
The album’s lead single “Do the Dance” has made an impressive showing, debuting on Melon’s TOP 100 and maintaining strong chart positions. The track also held No. 1 on Apple Music Korea for six straight days between June 18 and 23. The album itself surpassed 400,000 copies in first-week sales, securing the top spot on the Hanteo Weekly Album Chart for the third week of June.
Though scammed, Wonhee’s misadventure brought a smile to fans and offered a rare, relatable glimpse into the everyday life of an idol on the rise.
Lee Young-ji
On July 10, Lee shared a video on her personal social media account with the caption:
“Please tell me if this Labubu is real or not.”
In the video, Lee can be seen unboxing a Labubu blind box, a collectible toy that has recently gained immense popularity. “I can’t tell if it’s real or fake, but I really want the secret edition,” she says excitedly.
To her surprise, she pulls out the secret Labubu figure she was hoping for and exclaims, “This is real, right? I got the secret one, didn’t I?”
However, it was later revealed that the figure was a fake. Disappointed, Lee explained:
“Turns out my Labubu is a knockoff. It’s a ‘Jjap-bubu’ (fake-bubu). There’s no tag, no authenticity card. I’m going to buy a real one and open it again. Don’t be fooled — buy official products. I was so excited thinking I pulled the secret on the first try…”
As counterfeit Labubu figures continue to circulate widely, fans and collectors are being urged to verify sellers and purchase only from official sources to avoid falling victim to similar scams.