I remember when the first LABUBU Exciting Macaron series dropped. It felt different. At PopNya, we'd seen popular series before, but this was something else entirely. It wasn't an overnight explosion. It was a slow burn that turned into a forest fire. One week, they were cute monster figures in pastel colors. The next, they were collector's gold, vanishing from shelves and creating a secondary market that was, frankly, insane. This is the series that hooked so many of us, and it's the one that brings the most questions, heartbreak, and scams.
If you're hunting for a labubu v1 today, you're not just a collector. You're an archeologist and a detective. The market is an absolute minefield. So, let's talk about what you're really up against.
The Anatomy of a Real V1 Macaron: Beyond the Obvious
Every guide out there tells you the same thing: check the foot. And yes, you absolutely should. A labubu macaron authentic figure from the V1 series will have "© Kasing Lung," "POP MART," and a unique ID code printed on the bottom of its feet. The fakes used to be lazy, often missing this entirely or having a sloppy, smudged print.
But the counterfeiters got smarter. They read the same guides you did.
Now, the real tells are more subtle, things you only notice after handling hundreds of these little guys. When a customer asks us to verify a figure, the macaron labubu foot is just the starting point.
First, the NFC chip. Under the sticker on the foot of a genuine Pop Mart figure is a tiny, embedded NFC chip. You can feel it as a slight, firm bump. On many fakes, there's either nothing there or they've just put a piece of thicker paper to mimic the feel. If you have an NFC-enabled phone, you can try to scan it, a real one should direct you to a Pop Mart verification page. Fakes? Nothing.
Pick up a real macaron labubu. The vinyl has a specific density and a beautiful, satin finish. It's not glossy or greasy. It has a slight texture, a "tooth" to it. Now, the fakes. They almost always get the finish wrong. They're either too shiny, looking almost wet under direct light, or they feel chalky and cheap.
And then there's the smell. This is my go-to trick. Open a real Pop Mart box.It's not unpleasant. Fakes, on the other hand, reek of harsh industrial chemicals. It's a smell that hits the back of your throat. If you open a box and it smells like a tire factory, you have a problem.
Even the box for the labubu exciting macaron box real vs fake comparison is a dead giveaway if you know what to look for. A genuine V1 box is made of sturdy cardstock with a crisp, matte finish. The printing is flawless. The colors are perfectly saturated. The fakes often use flimsier cardboard, and the printing is a mess. Look for fuzzy text, pixelated images, or colors that are just slightly off. The pink might be too hot, the green too lime. It's a subtle difference, but once you've seen a real one, the fake stands out a mile away.
The Fakes Are Evolving. Here's What to Look For Now.
The biggest challenge in the real vs fake labubu macaron battle is that the fakes are constantly improving. The early fakes were laughable. Giant heads, terrible paint, no foot markings. Easy. Today's "super fakes" are a different beast.
They've copied the box art. They've copied the foot text. Some are even trying to mimic the weight and feel. So, how do you stay safe?
You have to look for the tiny mistakes. The things that are too expensive or difficult to replicate perfectly at scale.
* The Ear Seam: On a real Labubu, the seam where the two halves of the head are joined is incredibly clean. It's visible, but it's smooth. On many fakes, this seam is rough, has a noticeable ridge, or you can see traces of glue. * Paint Masking: Look at where two colors meet, like the edge of the bib on their chest. On a labubu macaron authentic figure, that line is razor-sharp. Pop Mart's quality control on this series was excellent. Fakes almost always have fuzzy edges, slight overspray, or paint bleeding. * The "Squish" Test: This sounds weird, but it works. Gently squeeze the head of a real Labubu.It's firm but not rock-solid. Fakes are often either rock-hard plastic or unpleasantly soft and squishy. They don't have that specific vinyl density. * The Accessory Rattle: The little macaron accessory each one comes with is another clue. The real ones are cleanly molded. The fakes often have rough edges or bits of plastic flashing left over from the mold.
Honestly, the proliferation of high-quality fakes is a big reason why I often steer new collectors toward newer series. The risk with V1 is just that high. If you're just starting out, browsing a current LABUBU collection is a much safer and more enjoyable way to get into the hobby.
Real Talk: Is the V1 Hype Worth It Anymore?
Okay, let's be honest. Is a v1 macaron labubu worth the money and the risk in today's market?
My answer: for most people, probably not.
This might be a hot take coming from a seller, but it's the truth. The V1 series is iconic. It's what started the Labubu craze. But you are paying a massive premium for nostalgia and scarcity. A full case, which originally retailed for around $150, can easily fetch over $1,200 now, if you can even find a sealed one. A single blind box can go for $80-100, with zero guarantee you won't get a common Lychee.
The chase figure, Soy Milk, is a legend. I remember selling one for about $90 shortly after the series retired. Just last month, I saw a verified one sell in a collector group for $500. That's the V1 effect. It's less about the toy and more about the asset.
Now, compare that to the labubu macaron v2 (the "Have a Seat" series). The quality is arguably better. The paint application is more complex, the vinyl feels just as good, and the designs are just as charming. And you can buy them for retail price. You get the joy of opening a blind box without the fear of being scammed or the pain of paying 10x the original price. I even wrote a whole seller's guide to the V2 hype because I think it's such a better entry point.
The V1 series has become a status symbol. Owning a real Soy Milk or a full set is a major flex in the community. But if your goal is to enjoy Kasing Lung's art and have a cute monster on your shelf, you can get that same joy from a newer series for a fraction of the cost and none of the anxiety.
The Myth of the "Popmart Labubu Macaron Restock"
I see this search term pop up all the time. People are desperately hoping Pop Mart will just make more.
I have to break the bad news: it's not going to happen.
The V1 Macaron series is retired. In the world of designer toys, "retired" means the molds are put away, and production has ceased. Pop Mart's business model is built on limited runs and constant newness. Re-releasing an old series would devalue it for the original collectors and undermine their entire strategy.
So what are you seeing when a store suddenly lists a popmart labubu macaron restock? 1. Old Stock: A distributor or store found a forgotten case in a warehouse. This is incredibly rare. Like, finding-a-unicorn rare. 2. Reseller Inventory: A large collector or a reseller is simply listing their personal stock for sale. It's not a "restock" from Pop Mart; it's just new inventory on the secondary market. 3. A Scam: The listing uses official photos but they're selling fakes. This is depressingly common on platforms like AliExpress, Wish, and even sometimes on eBay or Mercari if you're not careful.
The hunt for an exciting macaron labubu real deal is fraught with peril. The dream of finding them at retail is just that, a dream. For a deeper dive into the market dynamics, our Honest Labubu Macaron Buyer's Guide breaks down the pricing and risks even further.
My advice is to approach the V1 series with extreme caution. Don't let FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) cloud your judgment. There are so many amazing LABUBU dolls out there, and getting burned on a fake V1 can sour you on the whole hobby. If you want to understand the full scope of what's available, The Ultimate Guide to LABUBU Dolls is a great place to start your journey.
The V1 Macarons will always hold a special place in my heart. They represent a specific, electric moment in the designer toy world. They are beautiful, iconic, and the start of a phenomenon. But collecting them today is a high-stakes game. Know the risks, do your homework, and never, ever send money for a deal that seems too good to be true. Because it always is.
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