Across Indonesia, Pop Mart has grown into a phenomenon where collecting figurines has driven a chase of charity and blindboxes. As this frenzy begins to settle, many of these keepsakes risk being forgotten, no longer part of the thrill that once defined their appeal.
Characters such as Labubu and CRYBABY have become essential to the rise of Pop Mart, defining much of their character lineup. Amongst each prevailing figure lie visual narratives and short episodic releases that reveal their backstory. Out of many, here are three figures that reflect different aspects of human experience.
Nyota
From her crescent moon eyes to mushroom-shaped hair that make up her cozy style, Nyota represents the hushed harmony between humans and nature. With bright pastel color schemes, she resembles the restful comfort of living a peaceful lifestyle surrounded by greenery. Together with her pet cat Lumi, the two live in the warmth of comfort and curiosity found in the small joys of everyday life.
Such moments of tranquility are first captured in “Promise By The Window” which is an episode, where a room bathed in sunlight is surrounded by the sound of birds chirping and the soft meows of Lumi. Nyota spends her days unwinding on quilted picnic carpets, resting beneath green canopies and playing with Lumi, reading a book, or strolling around in her garden. Through such depictions, Nyota portrays being solitary not as something lonely but rather as a chance to slow down, appreciate life, and find comfort and inner peace.
The ease of her being lies in the beauty of savoring every moment, where slow-paced days unfold alongside her nature-filled surroundings, reflecting her deep appreciation for life and not taking a second for granted.
Twinkle-Twinkle
Drawing from blameless innocence and wonder, rosy red cheeks, a rounded body, with plush-like proportions give Twinkle-Twinkle a dreamlike appearance, capturing the natural warmth and optimism of a child. This collectible cast in a bright yellow hue, spreads positivity, and comfort wherever they go. They serve as a reminder, showing the importance of holding onto joy despite the difficulties of everyday life.
With a playful atmosphere, the “Savor The Moment” series presents a whimsical universe where food, music, and imagination are endless. In a world where trumpets blow, cakes bake endlessly, and ice cream scooped straight out of the moon, the imaginative realm of Twinkle-Twinkle transforms ordinary days into something magical. The series explores themes of small joys and shared moments of childhood, making nostalgia even more heartwarming.
By turning small joys into big moments, Twinkle-Twinkle represents how children often perceive the world through a lens of positivity and effortless wonder. At the same time, inviting iewers to rediscover comfort and happiness within the delights of a routine.
Hirono
Feelings of isolation are often unavoidable, and Hirono, bearing the stillness of a fragile young boy, conveys a delicate sense of vulnerability, reminding us that amid all the hardships of life we ought to hold onto a sense of wonder and imagination. With features as unexpectedly charming as unkempt hair, scattered freckles, and a downturned expression, paired with earthy brown tones complementing his shabby details of patched clothing or rusted prosthetic limbs, he embodies the emotional hardships of growing through adversity.
The “Little Mischief” series extends this concept in multiple episodes of distorted black-and-white sketches, depicting his world to be defined by depression and uncertainty. His existence is marked by loneliness and filled with the traumatic experience of abandonment, but even then within all this suffering, traces of childlike imagination still appear in snippets of his costumes, suggesting that wonder survives as an expression of a quiet escape from reality.
In a world we are defined by the pursuit of perfection and achievement, Hirono embodies survival through imagination, serving as a fragile remnant of innocence.
Amidst the fervor of collectibility and the ever-changing Pop Mart craze, these human-like figures embody timeless themes of hope, happiness, and wonder. They remain as reminders of something more enduring than the trend itself.
Like many trends, fascination may eventually fade, but these three figures will continue to represent something more lasting than one might think—an appreciation of solitude, imagination, and the often overlooked beauty within human life.
