Forget Labubu; a new collectible craze is taking over, and it’s all thanks to BTS’s V. The K-pop idol, whose real name is Kim Taehyung, has once again demonstrated his immense global influence. After he was spotted with a small Hirono doll keychain on his bag, the product sold out across major online stores within just a few hours, creating a frenzy among fans and collectors.
How Did the Hirono Doll Go Viral?
The viral moment began on October 4 at Incheon International Airport. Kim Taehyung, serving as a global ambassador for Celine, was departing for Paris Fashion Week. While his entire outfit was stylish, a tiny accessory stole the spotlight: a Hirono doll keychain hanging from his brown Celine bag. Fans quickly shared close-up photos on social media, leading to an immediate surge in interest. One user on X wrote, “Trust Taehyung to make a toy go viral,” while another joked, “V’s fashion accessories should come with a ‘sold-out’ warning!”
What is the Hirono Doll?
The Hirono Doll is a collaborative designer toy created by Chinese artist Lang and the popular collectible company Pop Mart. The specific version carried by V is officially called the “Hirono Living Wild- Fight For Joy” edition. In this doll, the Hirono character is holding a little torch, which stands for bravery and hope, while wearing a brown suede bear suit and denim dungarees. It is regarded as a work of art that combines imaginative design with substantial emotional depth.
The BTS V Effect on Sales
The impact of V’s casual accessory display was immediate and dramatic. Following his airport appearance, the Hirono “Fight For Joy” doll sold out rapidly across Pop Mart’s official Chinese stores. Within 24 hours after the sighting, more than 500 pieces were reportedly bought, according to reports and fan conjecture.
This phenomenon is known by fans as the “Taehyung Effect” due to his unparalleled ability to impact worldwide trends and consumer demand simply by wearing or using a product.
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Is Hirono the New Labubu?
The incredible surge in the Hirono doll’s popularity has led to comparisons with Labubu, another wildly successful Pop Mart toy line. Before V’s endorsement, Hirono was already a known entity within art toy collector circles. However, the BTS member’s influence has pushed it into the mainstream, making it a global must-have. Fans on social media have been using the hashtag #HironoDoll and declaring it “the new Labubu,” with one fan noting, “Labubu walked so Hirono could run.”
