In the vast universe of art toys, few series manage to capture the complexities of a universal emotion with as much nuance and vulnerability as POP MART’s CRYBABY Crying For Love series. A collaboration with Thai artist Molly Yllom, this collection transcends simple character design, offering a profound meditation on the many facets of love, all viewed through the character’s signature teardrops. This is not a story of sadness, but one of emotional honesty, celebrating the strength found in embracing our deepest feelings.
This IP Deep Dive will unpack the series’ core philosophy, analyze the rich symbolism behind each of its 14 unique designs, and explore why certain characters resonate so deeply within the collector community.
The Core Philosophy: Why Crying is a Strength
The inspiration behind the Crying For Love series is deeply personal to its creator, Molly Yllom. The initial concept for CRYBABY emerged as a way for the artist to channel and express the grief of losing a beloved dog. This origin story is key: the character’s iconic tears are not a symbol of weakness, but of pure, unfiltered emotional release.
The series is built upon the philosophy of “the power of vulnerability.” It posits that crying is a natural and essential part of the human experience, a necessary outlet for processing emotions and a powerful tool for healing. Each figure in the Crying For Love collection, therefore, acts as a small totem, encouraging collectors to acknowledge and accept their own emotional spectrum without judgment.
An Emotional Spectrum: Decoding the 12 Regular Figures
The character names in this series are masterfully chosen, acting as narrative chapters in the grand story of love. They employ direct vocabulary, puns, and metaphors to guide the collector through a familiar, albeit turbulent, emotional journey.
The Dawn of Affection (The Beginning)
This group of characters captures the exhilarating, clumsy, and hopeful start of a new romance.
3. Heart Broken (Bitterness)
It may seem counterintuitive to begin with heartbreak, but this design represents the raw, universal pain that often precedes or follows love. The stark, literal depiction of a broken heart immediately connects with a fundamental human experience, reminding us that the capacity for deep love also brings the risk of deep sorrow.
2. Unlock Me (Invitation)
Symbolizing hope and vulnerability, this character holds the key to its own heart. It’s a powerful statement of readiness, an invitation for the right person to enter. It embodies the courage it takes to open oneself up to the possibility of love after being closed off.
4. Stolen Heart (Attraction)
This figure captures the magnetic, almost involuntary pull of new attraction. The idea of one’s heart being “stolen” perfectly describes that initial, dizzying phase where logic gives way to a captivating infatuation.
7. Puppy Love (Innocence)
Pure, earnest, and full of unbridled enthusiasm, Puppy Love depicts the sweetness of a first crush. It’s an uncomplicated, joyous expression of affection, reminiscent of the innocent, head-over-heels adoration that marks our earliest experiences with romance.
The Nuances of a Relationship (The Complexity)
Love is rarely simple. This set of characters explores the multifaceted and often contradictory feelings within an established bond.
1. Classic Rose (Romance)
The red rose is a timeless symbol of passionate love. This character’s design, likely utilizing a deep red hue, speaks to the traditional, cherished gestures of romance. It represents the conscious acts of love that sustain a relationship.
11. Kiss Kiss – Devil Vers. (Temptation) & 12. Kiss Kiss – Angel Vers. (Purity)
Presented as a duo, these two figures brilliantly illustrate the duality of love. The Devil version represents the passionate, mischievous, and tempting side of a relationship, while the Angel version embodies its purity, tenderness, and sacredness. Together, they acknowledge that true love contains both fierce desire and gentle care.
10. Jar of Hearts (Memories)
A conceptually profound design, Jar of Hearts signifies the act of collecting and cherishing memories. Each heart in the jar is a treasured moment, a piece of a shared history. It speaks to the cumulative nature of love, built upon countless small, meaningful experiences.
Expressions of Deep Affection (The Sweetness)
These figures radiate the warmth, adoration, and playful sweetness of a secure and loving partnership.
5. Love You Cherry Much (Sweetness)
This character uses a clever play on words (“Cherry Much” for “Very Much”) to convey a love that is as sweet and intense as a cherry. It’s a whimsical, lighthearted declaration of deep affection.
6. You’re Purr-fect (Adoration)
Drawing inspiration from a cat’s purr—a sound of ultimate contentment—this figure communicates complete adoration. In the eyes of the beholder, their loved one is flawless, bringing a sense of peace and perfection to their world.
8. Stupid Cupid (Clumsiness) & 9. Sweet Baby (Affection)
Stupid Cupid captures the awkward but endearing moments in love, while Sweet Baby expresses the feeling of being deeply cherished and protected. Both speak to a level of comfort and intimacy where even imperfections are lovable and care is paramount.
The Secret Keepers: An In-Depth Look at the Hidden Figures
The “secret” figures in any blind box series are designed to represent the ultimate prize. In Crying For Love, they fittingly symbolize the most potent and rare forms of love.
1. Be Mine (Possession)
As the regular secret, “Be Mine” elevates the theme to its most direct and powerful conclusion. It’s a passionate declaration of mutual belonging. Its status as a hidden figure reflects the idea that achieving this level of deep, possessive (in a positive sense) commitment is a rare and sought-after goal in the journey of love. It is the answer to the invitation posed by “Unlock Me.”
2. Sparkling Love (Rarity)
The Super Secret figure, as its name suggests, represents the pinnacle of love—a bond that is not just committed, but transcendent. It embodies a love that is exceptionally rare, dazzling, and precious, much like a flawless diamond. Its sparkling, likely glitter-infused design visually reinforces this theme. As the most elusive figure in the series, it perfectly symbolizes a once-in-a-lifetime love that is both a magnificent discovery and a treasure to behold.
Ranking Emotional Resonance: The Top 3 Most Relatable Characters
While every figure in the series connects on some level, certain designs arguably resonate more deeply and universally with the collector community. Based on their narrative power and emotional clarity, here are three of the most impactful characters:
- 1. Heart Broken (Bitterness): Its power lies in its unflinching honesty. There is no metaphor, only the direct visual of a painful, universal human experience. It is instantly recognizable and validates one of the most difficult emotions associated with love, making it a point of profound connection for many.
- 2. Unlock Me (Invitation): This character embodies the central theme of the series: the strength in vulnerability. It represents the conscious choice to be open to love, a feeling of hopeful anticipation that resonates with anyone who has ever longed for connection. It’s a symbol of new beginnings and emotional courage.
- 3. Jar of Hearts (Memories): As collectors, the act of accumulating figures is akin to filling a jar with memories. This character elevates that concept, representing the personal and emotional histories we build with loved ones. It’s a quietly powerful figure that grows in meaning the more one reflects on their own life and relationships.
Conclusion: More Than a Toy
The CRYBABY Crying For Love series is a masterclass in thematic design. It validates the entire spectrum of emotions that love entails, from the innocent flutter of a first crush to the quiet dignity of treasured memories. By understanding the deep narrative woven through these 14 figures, we move beyond mere collecting and engage with them as pieces of art—each one a tear-shaped window into the human heart. It is this depth that solidifies the series’ status as a modern classic, cherished by collectors who see in its tears a reflection of their own emotional world.
