Latest news with #xiaojinguailiyang
Independent Singapore
03-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Independent Singapore
Labubu earns a degree? Tsinghua graduate's plush toy steals the show at commencement ceremony
On one of China's most respected campuses, an unexpected graduate shared the limelight last June – an impish toy named Labubu. A recent SCMP story featured a viral video, showing a student at Tsinghua University carrying her Labubu to the graduation stage, garbed in a tiny cap and gown. She offered the toy to the university's vice-president and requested him to make the traditional tassel-turning motion for Labubu. Caught by surprise but ready for a laugh, the official obliged, lightly pinching the toy's tassel. The moment drew giggles from the audience and earned the doll a comical new tag — 'the Labubu with the highest education degree.' The video, first shared on Chinese platforms by the engineering graduate behind the account @xiaojinguailiyang, rapidly spread on social media. The luxurious toy's fame, already spiralling in China and around the world, helped the video footage go viral. 'I saw someone take a Chiikawa to their graduation and thought it was adorable,' the student said, referring to another favourite cartoon character. 'So I dressed my Labubu in a gown and brought her with me.' When the vice-president inquired if it was the well-known Labubu, she said yes and clarified that while the toy didn't exactly study, she had put in diligence on Labubu's behalf. 'I believe it's not too much for her to receive a degree after accompanying me to study for such a long time.' Another Tsinghua student, who completed her Master's, carried with her a bigger Labubu to participate in the tassel-turning ritual, captured in yet another viral video. Online response ranged from amusement to delight to cynicism. 'What a lovely scene! It's good to see students keeping things lighthearted,' one user commented. Another kidded, 'The vice-president might be thinking: 'Show me your thesis first!'' Still, not everyone was pleased. Some netizens wondered whether bringing a toy to such a formal and significant event demeans an academic tradition. 'If Labubu can graduate, does Tsinghua still hold academic authority?' one doubtful commenter asked. Labubu, known for its piercing ears, toothy grin, and playful charisma, is a collectable toy made by the Chinese brand Pop Mart. Its reputation hit the roof in 2024 when Blackpink's Lisa displayed her Labubu collection online. Since then, it has become a must-have for enthusiasts and collectors alike. See also Lee Min Ho and Kim Go Eun star in upcoming fantasy drama With admirers including superstars like Rihanna, Liu Yifei, Lu Han, and David Beckham, Labubu is more than just a toy, it's a cultural marvel. And now, thanks to a few imaginative graduates, it has an artificial degree from one of the top universities in the world. Move over, valedictorians — Labubu just graduated with honours in charm.
South China Morning Post
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
China student's Labubu at graduation sparks debate after vice-president pinches toy's tassel
A student at China's prestigious Tsinghua University took her Labubu toy to her graduation ceremony, placing the school's vice-president in an awkward position. However, the game-for-a-laugh university head joined in the fun and pinched the tassel of the toy, allowing it to earn the nickname 'the Labubu with the highest education degree'. A video of the episode at the university's commencement ceremony in June has become an online sensation, thanks to the huge popularity of this plush doll in China and around the world, Chao News reported. At first, the vice-president was puzzled, but he saved the day by pinching the toy's tassel. Photo: Weibo The woman who graduated in engineering released the clip on two leading social media platforms on June 22. She said she bought a baccalaureate gown for her Labubu and took it on stage, asking the vice-president if he could pull the doll's tassel. 'The vice-president seemed at a loss of what to do for a second. But he still pinched the tassel for my Labubu,' said the graduate who has been identified with the alias @xiaojinguailiyang. 'When we took the picture together, he asked me if it was the recently-popular Labubu?' she said.
