POP MART is Bringing Print Back with the Launch of New Magazine, play/GROUND
Kicking off its first issue with musician Leah Dou as the cover star.
POP MART is known for its viral collectibles and blind boxes — from the coveted Labubu Monsters to Skullpandas. But now the global pop culture powerhouse has officially entered the publishing world with the launch of its new print magazine, play/GROUND.
Print media has seen a resurgence in recent years, especially as Gen Z references the ‘90s and early 2000s eras stylistically, leaning into nostalgia-core. POP MART now joins the revival with its first foray into tangible media, exploring contemporary youth culture and diving into topics that resonate with the next generation in a visually striking and immersive format.
Published on oversized newsprint, the inaugural issue of play/GROUND focuses on a broad “Social” theme, delving into everything from the internet to offline social clubs, and ways to find real-world human connection in the digital age. Adding to the excitement, the first cover star is Chinese singer-songwriter and multilingual producer Leah Dou. Dou is known for her sometimes elusive persona, but especially her genre-bending sound.
She recently released an album in 2024, titled In the Air (空中飞人), and has tapped into her acting skills as well in Existence, The Eleventh Chapter and more, proving to be a dynamic, multifaceted creative. Her creative enthusiasm reflects the affinity for self-expression and authenticity that her generation so passionately embraces, so she was the perfect match to grace the first-ever issue.
To learn more about POP MART’s play/GROUND, visit the magazine’s Instagram page.
