Genesis
Wang Ning was born in 1987 in Henan province. He graduated with a degree in advertising from Zhengzhou University in 2009, worked for a year at Sina Corporation (owner of Weibo), and decided to start his own company. During a trip to Hong Kong, he came across the LOG-ON chain of stores — a mix of toys, cosmetics, and stationery — and decided to bring the idea to the mainland. In 2010, he opened the first Pop Mart store in Beijing's Zhongguancun — a tech district known as China's Silicon Valley. He sold everything at once. Until he realized that the only category that really worked was figurines.
Breakthrough with Molly
In 2016, Wang signed a deal with Hong Kong artist Kenny Wong and his character Molly. That was the moment Pop Mart became what it is today. In 2017, turnover was $22 million. In 2018 — already $73 million.
Psychology of the box
Wang understood something that multi-billion dollar marketing departments didn't: the moment before opening the box is more valuable than what's inside. Surprise as a product. Hope as a business model.
MBA and scaling
In 2014, Wang enrolled in an MBA program at Guanghua School of Management at Peking University. Some of his classmates later joined Pop Mart's management team. In December 2020, the company listed on the Hong Kong stock exchange.
"Say no" company
Wang is known for his restraint — reinvesting profits into the IP ecosystem instead of luxury. He doesn't chase every opportunity. Pop Mart grows selectively, not at all costs. A philosophy that sets him apart among Chinese billionaires.
Pop Mart in numbers
2010
year Pop Mart was founded
33+
countries selling worldwide
22 bn
USD Wang Ning's net worth (2025)
Three pillars of creativity
Surprise as a product
The blind box is not packaging — it's the core of the experience
Artists, not products
Wang builds IP around creators, not the other way around
Culture, not toys
Pop Mart sells identity and community belonging
Fun facts
👟 Started with fashion
Even while studying, Wang Ning and his friends sold fashion accessories and creative items. Entrepreneurship was in his blood before he even knew what he wanted to do.
🏮 Inspiration: gashapon and LOG-ON
Wang adopted the blind box model from Japanese gashapon machines. He knew the format — but he wanted to elevate it: premium packaging, artists, IP with character.
🧩 Artists with autism
Wang funds therapy centers for artists on the autism spectrum — some of whom design figurines for Pop Mart. Philanthropy interwoven into the business model, not alongside it.
📈 Labubu and one day
When the Monsters series with Labubu saw a 726% year-on-year increase, Wang Ning's net worth grew by $1.6 billion in a single day. The youngest in the top 10 Chinese billionaires.
POPLAND — theme park
🏰 MOLLY's Castle
The center of the park — Molly's castle with an exhibition of Pop Mart's history, a themed cafe, and an exclusive store. Limited figurines available only here.
🌲 LABUBU Adventure Forest
A forest full of Labubu — treehouses, bridges, and interactive games. You can meet a live version of the character at character meet-and-greets.
🛍️ POP Street
The main street of the park with character installations, shops, and exclusive merchandise. Here you pick up a collector's passport with stamps from 8 park points.
🍰 DIMOO Restaurant
A themed restaurant with Pop Mart characters on the plate — Crybaby cake, Labubu pancake. WeChat reservation is mandatory.
Opened on September 26, 2024, in Beijing's Chaoyang Park — Beijing's largest urban park. 40,000 square meters where Molly has her castle, Labubu hides in the forest, and Dimoo waits at the table. There are no extreme attractions here — it's a world where the figurines from your shelf come to life. The only place like it on Earth.
Follow and discover
Wang Ning doesn't sell toys. He sells the moment before opening the box — and he knows that's the most valuable thing in the world.
Discover the Pop Mart collection
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