Pop Mart opens its first permanent store in the Philippines

The wait is over for Pop Mart fans.

After a series of successful pop-ups, the Beijing-based lifestyle brand that has captivated people worldwide with its art toys and blind boxes has opened its first permanent store in the Philippines in SM Megamall.

“We’re very excited about this. We’ve dreamed about having this in our malls. Even before the first pop-up store, we could already see that this would be a success. And now, here it is, it’s now a reality. I’m overwhelmed with joy,” Steven Tan, president of SM Supermalls, told the STAR.

Like many attendees at the store opening, Steven had a Pop Mart plush pendant hanging from his bag. His was a Dimoo plush, a beloved character created by artist Ayan Deng.

“Dimoo is so cute,” Steven said.

Labubu, Crybaby, Hirono and more

Dimoo is just one of Pop Mart’s popular characters and IPs. There’s Labubu, of course, which has caused a frenzy around the world, from Hong Kong artist Kasing Lung’s “The Monsters” series. There’s also Molly by artist Kenny Wong, Hirono by Lang, Skullpanda by Xiong Miao, Pucky by Chan Wai Kei (an artist also known as Pucky), Crybaby by Molly Yllom, Hacipupu by Agee & Yep, and more.

That’s what Pop Mart does—it works with independent artists from different countries, championing their work and bringing characters they’ve created to a wider audience through collectibles and turning art into a tangible, everyday experience.

For over a year, Filipinos got their dose of Pop Mart from different pop-ups like the one in SM Mall of Asia which opened in November 2024 or the one in SM Makati which will run until Jan. 6. The most recent pop-up—a lovely, coffee-themed one—opened at The Block at SM North Edsa on Dec. 12. 

But the permanent store, which opened on Dec. 19, is extra-special. It’s a milestone not just for Pop Mart but the many fans of the brand.

"I’m very happy," said singer Jed Madela who is a passionate toy collector and a big Pop Mart fan. "It feels like we have a home, we have a permanent home where we can go… It’s like we found a place where we can just be ourselves."

At the opening, Jed had his Labubu Moynat bag in tow—one of the pieces from artist Kasing Lung's collaboration with the French luxury house. We spotted Jed at the Hirono section of the Pop Mart store. He told The Philippine STAR, "I’ve always been a fan of all of the characters— Labubu, Molly, especially Hirono. When Hirono came out, there was a connection with the character and myself… Oh, that’s so me. That’s why, while everybody’s going crazy over the other characters, I’m here in this corner."

And what was he buying? "Everything," he replied with a smile.

He was especially excited about the Hirono Road Journal series.

First customers

DJ Perez and Wisely Lo, Pop Mart collectors and regulars at Pop Mart events, were the first customers to make purchases at the country’s first permanent Pop Mart store.

DJ said, "I bought the Crybaby, the latest ones, the ones on holiday. They’re so cute with their hair and everything."

He pointed to his Birkin, from which three plush pendants were dangling, including My Summer Vibe, a curly-haired, beribboned Crybaby. "I got this one recently and I was really looking forward to getting the mermaid. Now I’m on the hunt, I got another one and I hope I get the mermaid. But the other ones are also cute." 

Meanwhile, Wisely said, “I bought the big Hirono Bear Vinyl Plush Doll because the artist is coming here.”

Two days after the opening, he was able to get his doll signed by Lang at the Hirono signing event held at Pop Mart SM Megamall.

DJ and Wisely are both thrilled about the store finally opening. "It means less waiting time for us—because we usually buy online and we have to wait. Now we can just go to Megamall and it’s so near where we live."

Fans of all ages

There are Pop Mart fans of all ages—and testament to this is Tali Sotto, daughter of actors Vic Sotto and Pauleen Luna-Sotto, who was happily shopping at the Pop Mart store on opening day.

Mom Pauleen said, "It feels so nice because my daughter really looks forward to visiting Pop Mart stores every time we leave the country. As a matter of fact, her dad falls in line for her just to get her favorite Labubu, or Molly. She actually likes Skullpanda as well. It’s nice that it’s now more accessible ‘coz it’s just here and it’s here in Megamall which is literally in the middle of everything. We’re very happy."

What was Tali buying? "My daughter bought so much. We’re going to Eat Bulaga right after this and she said magpapasalubong daw siya. Sobrang maraming magandang bago. I think she bought six boxes of the Crybaby Vacation Mode On, the one with hair—one daw for her, one for her sister, one for our director, one for Ate Ryzza (Mae Dizon), one for our producer… Tali is very happy."

Actress Marian Rivera is a huge Pop Mart fan—so huge that she was actually one of the people who cut the ribbon at the Pop Mart store opening.

"Actually, when they told me about this way, way back, sobrang na-excite ako. Siguro hindi lang ako, yung lahat ng mga talagang addicted to Pop Mart. This is it, ito na yung moment namin, talagang meron nang sariling store si Pop Mart sa Megamall," she told the STAR.

She was buying a lot that day, she confessed, and on top of that list was the 1000% Mega Space Molly Stranger Things edition. "Kasi nanonood kami ng anak ko ng Stranger Things," Marian said.

She also bought the Hirono Bear Vinyl Plush Doll and had it signed by Lang during his visit.

In a previous conversation, Marian told us that her Pop Mart collection has grown so much that she didn’t know how to make sure they still fit in her house. But now, she’s found a solution. "I opened Wonder Society, a playground for kids. I display some of my Pop Mart collection there."

More stores

Welcoming everyone to the opening was Mishen Samonte, Pop Mart Philippines’ tireless head of marketing. Guests shopped and enjoyed Hirono taho—a great way to celebrate Pop Mart making a permanent home in the country. And it’s only the beginning. There will be more stores—it’s part of Pop Mart’s quest to make sure that it is accessible to Filipinos.

Jeremy Lee, Pop Mart Southeast Asia director, told us in a previous interview: "We know traffic in Manila and we don’t want you to be traveling two hours just to get to your Pop Mart store. We’re gonna make it as available as possible.”

The Megamall store is stocked with a dizzying array of Pop Mart products, with different sections devoted to different Pop Mart artists and characters. There are blind boxes, limited-edition items, special collabs, plush pendants, bags, phone lanyards, figures of all sizes, and so much more. There are also special corners where visitors can pose for photos—including the giant Hirono out front. "We really put our heart and mind into merchandising and designing," said Jeremy. "Every store is like a baby… we give it the best we can."

***

Pop Mart is at the second level of SM Megamall Building A.