Kenny Wong and the Iconic Molly Creation | Generated by AI
Question: Provide a comprehensive introduction to Kenny Wong, the creator of Molly, one of Pop Mart’s earliest and most iconic characters (first designed in 2006).
Answer:
Kenny Wong is a Hong Kong-based artist, illustrator, toy designer, and one of the most influential figures in the designer toy (art toy) scene. He is best known as the creator of Molly, an iconic character that has become one of the flagship IPs for Pop Mart and one of the most recognizable and collectible figures in the global blind box and art toy market.
Background and Early Work
Kenny Wong is an established artist from Hong Kong, active in illustration, design, and toy creation. His work draws from a blend of cute aesthetics, retro influences, and personal storytelling. Before Molly achieved widespread fame through Pop Mart, Wong was already involved in the designer toy community, which gained momentum in Hong Kong and Asia partly inspired by pioneers like Michael Lau in the late 1990s.
Creation of Molly (2006)
Molly was first designed by Kenny Wong in 2006. The character was inspired by a real-life encounter with a young girl during a charity event or painting class at Victoria Peak in Hong Kong (accounts vary slightly between a charity fundraiser or similar setting). Wong described meeting a stubborn, confident, and fearless little girl whose proud pout and determined expression instantly captured his imagination.
- Core design features: Molly is depicted as a young girl with large, striking eyes (often emerald green or blue), short curly hair, and her signature permanent pout (pouting lips that convey a mix of attitude, pride, and cuteness). In her original conception, she appeared as a tiny painter wearing a beret and artist’s apron, holding a paint palette and brush—reflecting a creative, imaginative child archetype.
- Personality and symbolism: Molly embodies inner strength, bravery, and endless imagination. Wong has poetically described her as reflecting aspects of himself, likening her to the moon that gives him strength. She often represents a “brave shield” or warm friend to fans.
The character remained relatively niche in the early years but laid the foundation for Wong’s reputation in the art toy world.
Partnership with Pop Mart and Rise to Fame
In 2016, Kenny Wong began collaborating with Pop Mart, the Chinese company that popularized blind box collectibles. This partnership transformed Molly into a massive cultural phenomenon:
- Molly became one of Pop Mart’s earliest and most enduring original artist IPs (alongside others like Dimoo and Skullpanda).
- Through Pop Mart’s blind box format, affordable pricing (often around 59 RMB / ~$8-9 USD per figure), and endless series variations, Molly reached millions of collectors, especially among younger generations in China and globally.
- Revenue from Molly sales reportedly exceeded 200 million RMB (~$29 million USD) annually on the mainland as early as 2018, highlighting her commercial success.
- Pop Mart has released countless Molly series, including themed blind boxes, statues, career editions, classical retro anniversary sets, collaborations (e.g., Molly Lisa), and limited editions—keeping her fresh while preserving the iconic pout, eyes, and overall silhouette.
Molly is now considered one of the most sought-after designer toy characters worldwide and helped establish Pop Mart’s dominance in the art toy industry.
Legacy and Continued Influence
- 2026 marked Molly’s 20th anniversary, celebrated with events like the “Journey to The Star: MOLLY Back to The Peak” pop-up and exhibitions at Victoria Peak, where her story began.
- Wong remains active, with an Instagram presence (@kennyswork2006) sharing Molly’s evolving adventures and new designs.
- His work has helped bring Hong Kong creativity to a broader Chinese and international audience via Pop Mart’s platform.
Kenny Wong’s creation of Molly in 2006 not only launched one of the most enduring characters in modern collectibles but also exemplified how independent artists can achieve global reach through strategic partnerships in the designer toy space.
References:
- POP MART Official - About Kenny Wong & Molly
- POP MART US - MOLLY Collection
- China Daily - How the idea for blue-eyed, pouting Molly was born
- Trampt - Kenny Wong Artist Profile
- Wikipedia - Pop Mart
- PR Newswire - MOLLY 20th Anniversary Event