Obsession Corner: WE ARE BACK, The Tiny Chef Show, and what Labubu says about the economy
I'm so high off my joy of BTS returning but you're here for my Labubu take
It’s obviously been way over a week since my first and previous “Obsession Corner” post, but that’s life, and that’s okay. This second edition of OC (for short, it’s cute, right?!) I’m going over a lot because a lot has happened this past summer. I am obligated to start by discussing BTS, but please keep reading for some interesting trends and new content that begs the question: Will fans’ interest sustain these trends and new content?
The Tiny Chef Show and Labubu + Pop Mart are two different examples that give unique answers to this question. I also provide some short, thoughtful remarks on the Phineas and Ferb revival, Blackpink’s world tour, KPop Demon Hunters, and more!
WE ARE BACK!
After 3 years, all members have BTS have returned from their military service. As a fan, it’s been an absolutely joyous experience just to know they’re back and can just be. Last week, the group announced during a Weverse Live that they plan to put out new music in March 2026 and kick off a world tour.
Until then, BTS members will be doing what they want, which is somewhere between being booked and busy and vacationing.
V is in Paris for Celine’s show during Paris Fashion Week and he is having the time of his life (we love that for him).
Anna Wintour personally invited Taehyung to the Vogue World event in October 2025 (we REALLY love that for him).
Namjoon is namjooning…
…he’s also about to write new songs while staying in Los Angeles BUT he dropped his phone in water.
SUGA, Jimin, and Jungkook are also heading to LA to join RM for two months for “songwriting boot camp”, and fans are joking they need to go help Namjoon with his microphone… We really are back.
Jimin and Jungkook will go on vacation to Vietnam and Switzerland for “Are You Sure?” S2.
Jin has kicked off his Run Seokjin World Tour, and everything I’m seeing is so funny and heartwarming.
J-Hope has been promoting “Killin’ it Girl” on music shows since his tour wrapped up. He was also seen at Blackpink’s Deadline Tour (like truly seen).
SUGA has been in the news for his volunteer work and donation to Seoul’s Severance Hospital to support a new autism treatment center for children and adolescents. The rapper was also announced as a shareholder for The Athletics Major League Baseball team, formerly known as Oakland Athletics.
The Tiny Chef Show is *saved! *Kind of!
On June 24, the internet learned that The Tiny Chef Show was cancelled. Nobody saw this coming because *nobody had heard of this show (*unless you have a preschooler in your life, or my algorithm has failed me). And everyone was devastated by the video of Cheffy receiving the phone call from Nickelodeon that broke him. Thankfully, the devastation didn’t turn into the 5 stages of grief. Instead, people on the internet rallied together.
With further research, the cancellation was an odd call considering the show had won two Children’s and Family Emmy Awards. Through critical acclaim and positive audience reception does not a guarantee to keep a show running — as we see in cancellations across multiple streaming services. The show ran for two seasons on Nickelodeon. Many great guests joined Cheffy and his friends to make tasty veggie-filled dishes.
By July 2, Cheffy was saved! At least for the continuation of social media content. This post on July 4 clarified that the team is still working to secure the show for a long-term run. The Tiny Chef Show is becoming an interesting case study in quickly building a passionate network alongside an already-existing fan base of children and guardians that didn’t take the cancellation as the definitive end.
There’s still hope for Cheffy to be picked up by another network, or for Nickelodeon to reconsider (but I don’t think anyone would want to see Cheffy go back to the company that broke his, and everyone’s, hearts). Or if donations continue to pour in, perhaps the show’s creators can work independently. Learn more about #savingtinychef here.
Mystery boxes + Labubu = A recession indicator?
The Labubu keychain frenzy has remained strong this past month, and it makes me wonder if it’s a sign of the times. I’ll admit, I don’t hate nor like these Labubus, I’m just fascinated by the innumerable blind unboxing videos that have come across my Instagram Reels algorithm. And as annoying as those can be, I’m sat every time. Why? It’s a classic PR formula—a play on psychology aligning with consumer interests. There’s the anticipation for a reaction as we watch influencers and celebrities unbox these monsters, and now that all variations are sold out, the doll is simultaneously popular and rare.
Labubus are sold by Pop Mart — a Chinese-based toy company known for selling collectible “designer” toy items in blind boxes. This means the company has plenty of other options, but Labubu has specifically taken off for a reason. Right now, fashion is interested in what’s called the “ugly-cute” trend. This trend is seen as a form of rebellion against typical beauty standards, meaning makeup and clothes that seem bold and wild tend to fit the concept. Another trend that bodes well for why Labubus have taken off is bag charms. Fashion consumers want to add personality to their bags by adding various types of textured fabric or stylized metal keychains, with a greater lean toward plushies.
While I’m no economic expert, explosive fashion trends like Labubus are often jokingly called a recession indicator. The reason is that it’s an “affordable luxury” that offers small comfort or feels like an “emotional survival tool” when times Instead of buying a new bag, consumers can dress up old ones and make them feel new by adding charms.
I’m no stranger to this as I’ve added photocard keychains, Glossier lip balms, and fandom-inspired charms on all of my bags. The way we craft and personalize our fashion will always be in style. But as far as Labubu goes, it’s hard to say if the collectible will continue to remain on top. Pop Mart hosts TikTok Live sales daily, and influencers are trying to share the secrets to acquiring an authentic one and not a Lafufu.
The numbers can’t be ignored. In 2024, Pop Mart saw a 727% increase in revenue compared to the previous year, totaling 419 million dollars. With the Labubu character further catapulting the company’s presence, it’ll be interesting to see if the growth will continue. Fast fashion retailers, namely Walmart and SHEIN, have dupes available, and usually this devalues the original product, but I’ve noticed Labubu consumers want the real product more than they want to buy a dupe to fit in. To maintain fannish interest, I foresee Pop Mart creating more collectible and exclusive Labubu series, along with highlighting the celebrity interest as seen with Blackpink’s Lisa, Rihanna, Dua Lipa, and more than I care to acknowledge in this Substack post.
I’d also like to honorably (and briefly) mention:
The Phineas and Ferb revival hits the childhood nostalgia feels
A few weeks ago, I did a Phineas and Ferb rewatch because I (1) discovered how to Smartcast from my iPad to my TV and (2) because I felt like it. Then, lo and behold, the invisible force gifted me a revival (just go with this belief, please).
I’ve been thinking a lot about Disney because of my current research project and wondered why Phineas and Ferb scored a revival 10 years later, and it’s thanks to its revived success on the Disney+ streaming service. This blog post covers how the show’s style fits the Disney brand that appeals to the original audience and to the new generation of kids (aka, Gen Alpha).
What’s up with BLACKPINK? How are Blinks doing?
Blackpink’s Deadline tour has started, and the reception is mixed. Maybe because I am more so on ARMY Twitter I get the content where the members aren’t dancing in snyc and the backing tracks are louder than the live vocals. As someone who studies and works in social media, I often don’t take these tweets at face value. What I do find interesting is the fans’ reactions and the thoughts they share online.
Before the tour started, Blackpink’s fans — known as Blinks — were confused, excited, but confused. The group hasn’t put out any new music since their BORN PINK album in 2022. However, all four members — Lisa, Jennie, Rosé, and Jisoo — have released solo music in the past year. Lisa and Jennie had sets at Coachella. Rosé made a late-night show debut, and Jisoo went on the music show circuit. About 2 to 3 of each member’s solo songs are included in the setlist, but as far as new music from the group, they have one new track “Jump” that’s not currently available on streaming.
I believe that Blinks who have always liked the music and want to see the solo performances will have a great time. As a more casual Blackpink listener, I am curious if “Deadline” means that this is something of a farewell tour. While that is pure speculation, the name does imply there’s some sort of finality, which could look like the end of an era and indicate a new beginning for the group.
We Were Liars made me cry like a baby: Joseph Zada will be brilliant as Haymitch Abernathy
If you haven’t watched We Were Liars on Amazon Prime, then be warned that you will cry. I was motivated to watch because of Joseph Zada, who will play Haymitch Abernathy in The Hunger Games prequel film Sunrise on the Reaping. I’m a big reader, so I hate to admit I never got around to reading We Were Liars by E. Lockhart, but rest assured I read the book once I finished the show per my sister’s recommendation. The book and TV series adaptation are significantly different, and that’s not a bad indicator. Both are thoughtful and emotionally gut-punching in their own right.
Needless to say, Joseph Zada’s performance as Johnny Sinclair brought me to tears, and then with each and every last conversation before the Liars jumped off the pier kept the tears flowing. He played the “bounce, effort and snark” descriptors in a way that reassured me he will do Haymitch justice. Also, the We Were Liars press junket interviews are precious and the best way to heal after finishing the show.
K-POP Demon Hunters is a slay ⚔️✨
As soon as I saw the trailer for K-Pop Demon Hunters about two weeks before its release to Netflix on June 20, I knew this movie would be well-received. What I didn’t predict was how the movie could bring on a new wave of K-pop fans. Also, the movie will be entered for 2026 Oscars consideration.
The film has quickly amassed a passionate fanbase, and it’s not solely because of the K-pop factor. Animation fans loved the movie’s animation style as it seems to be inspired by the Spider-Verse franchise. The fanarts I’ve been seeing on Tumblr are gorgeous, and the headcanons are fun. Arguably, the big draw is the music. The soundtrack has become the highest charting film soundtrack of the year according to Billboard.
Tweets and headlines sharing variations of “‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Huntrix and Saja Boys beat BTS and Blackpink to take top spots on US music charts” are not too surprising since producers who have worked with both groups were part of crafting the film’s top-charting songs. Trust that you can’t make a movie about K-pop without people who have worked in the industry, and fans can tell if a film comes from a place of authenticity and care.
Squid Game S3 series finale sparks mixed reactions from fans… and so does the confirmed U.S. spin-off
I HAVE to talk a little bit about Squid Game. Okay? No!? Well, too bad.
The highly anticipated final season of Squid Game has a bleak ending. I think fans in the west were hopeful the Gi-hun — player 456 — would be the hero who could put an end to the games like Katniss Everdeen in The Hunger Games. The difference with Squid Games is that the modern timeline resonates with the real struggles of capitalism. Read the significance of the ending from Time Magazine here.
Personally, I’m mostly satisfied with how the show ended (my girl, Player 120 deserved better), but I am skeptical of the announced U.S. spin-off version. Squid Game is Netflix’s most-streamed show, with the final season garnering over 60 million views in less than 3 days. I can’t help but agree with fans of Squid Game that a U.S. English-language version feels like more of a profiteering endeavor than actually adding to the show’s lore. I find this article about how Squid Game: The Challenge sufficed as an American spin-off because there’s nothing more American than a reality competition show.
What I’m working on:
I submitted a paper on BTS ARMY as political influencers. Wish me luck on a possible pub!
A few weeks ago, I posted about my survey launch on my upcoming study on The Owl House and I’m stoked it got over 200 responses. Now I’m working on one-on-one interviews and it’s been my research dream come true getting to have these conversations.
I was accepted as a presenter to POPCRN’s Magic Kingdom Conference and the online Northeast Popular Culture Association Conference. I also was accepted as a poster presentation for FSNNA.
The Squeeze is my work’s weekly newsletter and I got to write a takeover for the director’s message on what BTS’s return means for soft power diplomacy. Read here.
My next Substack article will be a deep dive into influencers and how they leverage fandom. Is it exploitative and unethical or just all good fun? This is discussed through shipping content.