Tim Cook’s recent visit to Shanghai turned unexpectedly charming when he received a custom Labubu figure during Pop Mart’s “THE MONSTERS” 10th Anniversary Exhibition. Artist Kasing Lung personally handed him the toy, crafted with Cook’s likeness — white fur, glasses, jeans, sneakers, and even a tiny iPhone 17 — merging pop art with tech flair.
The meeting wasn’t a random encounter. Cook toured the exhibition alongside Pop Mart founder Wang Ning and Lung, watching as the artist used an iPad Pro and Apple Pencil to sketch his famous creature. The gesture tied together Apple’s creative ecosystem and China’s growing design culture, symbolizing how art and technology now intertwine naturally.
The encounter gained wide attention online, especially after Cook posted on Weibo that “Labubu has her own new iPhone 17 Pro in Cosmic Orange.” Fans in China flooded the comments with affection, seeing the visit as a genuine cultural connection rather than a marketing move. Pop Mart’s shares even rose after the news broke.
Beyond the cute gesture, Cook’s Labubu moment hints at Apple’s ongoing effort to deepen its bond with Chinese consumers. By engaging directly with beloved local icons like Labubu, Apple isn’t just selling devices — it’s sharing in the country’s creative heartbeat, something far more enduring than any product launch.
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