THE MONSTERS 10TH ANNIVERSARY GLOBAL TOUR – HONG KONG
To celebrate a decade of ‘THE MONSTERS’, the beloved Nordic forest-dwelling spirit ensemble, the 10th Anniversary Tour, ‘MONSTERS BY MONSTERS: NOW AND THEN’ will open at the Asia Society Hong Kong Centre from 15 December 2025 to 4 January 2026. With HSBC Hong Kong as the lead sponsor, the Hong Kong chapter continues the tour’s momentum from Shanghai and Taipei, offering an immersive artistic experience for fans of these little spirits.
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Ten years ago, artist Kasing Lung brought to life the fantastical world of LABUBU and THE MONSTERS series through his paintbrush, drawing inspiration from Norse mythology to embark on his imaginative creative journey. He gained early acclaim by winning the European Picture Book Competition with his illustrated book Oki and in 2015, he started releasing the Fairy Trilogy – The Mysterious Buka, Pedro and the Maiden, and Miro’s Requiem – laying the foundation for the iconic imagery of THE MONSTERS series. Today, these whimsical creatures transcend cultures and borders, evolving into cultural symbols that blend contemporary trends with emotional resonance.
Marking THE MONSTERS’ tenth anniversary, the touring exhibition embraces the theme ‘Now and Then’, creating an immersive space where reality and fantasy intertwine. Visitors are invited to step into an enchanted forest, interacting closely with LABUBU and his companions while exploring Kasing Lung’s precious sketches, which reveal the creative journey behind his works. From richly layered original artworks to philosophically nuanced character designs, visitors can trace the artistic origins of THE MONSTERS series. The exhibition also features collectible figurines spanning 2015 to the present day. Through mirrored installations that construct infinite spaces, visitors are transported into the fantastical dimensions of the spirit world for a truly immersive experience.
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MONSTERS BY MONSTERS: NOW AND THEN – 10th Anniversary World Tour.
The exhibition welcomes visitors into the world of THE MONSTERS through a series of themed zones. In the Entrance Area, guests are greeted with a specially prepared gift from THE MONSTERS, marking the start of their fantastical journey!
Journey & Paintings Zone
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This zone serves as a corridor through time, documenting the 10-year partnership between Kasing Lung, HOW2WORK and POP MART. Visitors can explore large-scale sculptures and oil paintings that embody the artist’s unique worldview.
Designer Toys Zone
This zone documents the evolution of LABUBU, from its original design to its many celebrated crossovers. Sketches Zone This section offers an intimate glimpse into the creator’s original inspirations.
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Interactive Zone
An immersive space featuring the LABUBU collaboration with POP MART.
Picture Books Zone
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Spotlighting THE MONSTERS TRILOGY, this zone allows visitors to trace the origins of this whimsical universe.
After stops in Shanghai and Taipei, the exhibition now arrives in Hong Kong. For Kasing Lung, who emigrated to the Netherlands in his youth, this is more than a showcase — it is a poignant homecoming. It is a return to a city at once familiar and new, accompanied by the characters who remain, by far, the most important in his life.
Presented by HSBC, MONSTERS BY MONSTERS: NOW AND THEN – THE MONSTERS 10th Anniversary Global Tour, Hong Kong
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Exhibition Dates: 15 December 2025 to 4 January 2026
Opening Hours: 1:00pm to 8:00pm (weekdays) / 12 noon to 8:00pm (weekends)
24, 25 and 31 December 2025 (1:00 pm to 6:00 pm)
1 January 2026 (1:00 pm to 6:00 pm)
Venue: Asia Society Hong Kong Centre
ABOUT KASING LUNG
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Kasing Lung is a celebrated picture book author and artist who moved to the Netherlands with his parents at a young age. Through learning Dutch, he was introduced to picture books, which sparked his love for painting and a profound fascination with ancient European folklore and mythical creatures.
In 2003, he won the European Picture Book Competition with his illustrated book Oki, becoming the first Chinese artist to receive this award. Beginning in 2011, he collaborated with the Hong Kong designer toy brand How2work, launching a series of designer toys. Inspired by Norse mythology, he created the Fairy Trilogy (The Mysterious Buka, Pedro and the Maiden and Miro’s Requiem) in 2015, establishing the visual foundation for the iconic THE MONSTERS series.
In recent years, Kasing Lung has devoted himself to his artistic practice, with works highly sought after by collectors. He has held solo exhibitions in Hong Kong, Taipei and Tokyo, and participated in group exhibitions in Shanghai, Hong Kong and Paris.
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ABOUT THE MONSTERS
THE MONSTERS are a group of little elves nestled in the Nordic forest. With nine teeth and upright pointed ears, the playful LABUBU brings vibrant energy to their home. They are wonderfully curious and full of life, embodying a delightful mix of mischief and kindness. Their origins are a fascinating mystery —some say they might have been around since before the Jurassic era! The tales of THE MONSTERS bring to life the delightful moments of the LABUBUs and their charming monster companions.
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