Photo Credit: Singapore Oceanarium, POP MART
Singapore’s entertainment landscape is set for a remarkable fusion of pop culture and marine conservation as POP Mart at Singapore Oceanarium brings its beloved CRYBABY character into the world’s leading oceanarium. This groundbreaking collaboration marks the first time a major character IP experience has been staged directly alongside real marine habitats, creating an unprecedented sensory journey that bridges contemporary designer toy culture with environmental stewardship.
The event, officially titled “CRYBABY Cry Me an Ocean,” represents a record-breaking activation for the Singapore Oceanarium at Resorts World Sentosa. Running from 24 June to 30 August 2026, this installation invites visitors to encounter CRYBABY’s emotional philosophy surrounded by more than 100,000 marine animals of over 1,000 species.
CRYBABY is not merely a collectible character but a profound artistic expression created by acclaimed Thai artist Molly. This gender-neutral, non-human figure embodies the deep, vulnerable inner feelings that everyone experiences but often masks from the world. The character’s core philosophy suggests that laughter isn’t the only path to feeling better, and tears possess the power to heal. The name CRYBABY itself reflects this beautiful truth: holding onto emotions tightly once felt burdensome, but with time, companionship with our feelings becomes familiar and comforting.
The message resonates universally: “Carrying your weight now feels more familiar, perhaps walking together isn’t so bad after all.” This boundary-pushing pop culture icon has become a global designer toy phenomenon, and now it dives into Singapore for an unprecedented sensory experience designed to help fans refresh and recharge their emotional and environmental mindfulness.
As the largest activation to date for the oceanarium, POP Mart at Singapore Oceanarium features an impressive scale that includes 11 curated photo zones, life-sized sculptures, and massive outdoor inflatables. The multi-sensory adventure begins before visitors even enter the facility, anchored by two towering five-meter outdoor inflatables that serve as giant visual anchors for the entire experience.
The first inflatable is THE ANGLERFISH CRYBABY, a luminous deep-sea guide whose glowing tears serve as a quiet reminder to “be your own light amidst the darkness.” This character teams up with the sunfish to form the “Oddball Alliance,” with tears that glow softly, illuminating the bottomless dark of the ocean. The second inflatable features THE PUFFERFISH CRYBABY, a spiked, puffed-up companion that teaches a gentle lesson on self-protection and inner softness. The PUFFERFISH and sea urchin are covered in spikes—not to hurt others, but to shield themselves, embodying the message: “I may look prickly all over, but my heart is gentle. Be our own protector”.
Upon stepping inside the Singapore Oceanarium, guests are greeted by a two-meter WHALESHARK sculpture that marks the beginning of an indoor art trail. This trail weaves seamlessly through iconic galleries, including Ocean Wonders, the Shark Seas tunnel, and the legendary Open Ocean viewing panel, creating an immersive journey where art and marine biology converge.
To transform pop culture into a tool for environmental stewardship, each of the 11 photo zones features a character board pairing CRYBABY’s story with educational insights about the marine animals they represent. This masterful integration ensures that visitors learn about marine conservation while engaging with the beloved character, making the experience both entertaining and educational.
This landmark cross-industry partnership highlights a growing trend of utilising global pop art IPs to drive premium tourism and ecological awareness. The activation represents a massive collaborative effort between POP Mart, Resorts World Sentosa (RWS), and the Singapore Tourism Board (STB), demonstrating Singapore’s commitment to creating unforgettable experiences that resonate with international audiences.
Ms Nok Siriporn, Head of Southeast Asia at POP Mart, shared that “The Cry Me an Ocean experience lets fans connect with CRYBABY in a new way, surrounded by the wonders of the marine world.” She emphasised that Singapore remains a key market for POP Mart, and this collaboration reflects their commitment to delivering unforgettable experiences for fans across the region.
Ms Lena Lee, Executive Vice President at RWS, added that the activation enables their conservation-led institute to extend its core mission to new audiences, sparking curiosity and a deeper connection to our oceans through art and play.
Understanding the practical aspects of visiting POP Mart at Singapore Oceanarium is essential for planning your trip. While the outdoor installations are completely free to explore, the indoor trail is accessible with a standard Singapore Oceanarium admission ticket. Adult tickets are priced at S$55, while children and seniors can enter for S$43.
The Singapore Oceanarium is located at Resorts World Sentosa, with the address being 8 Sentosa Gateway, Sentosa Island, Singapore 098269. The facility operates daily from 10:00 to 19:00 on both Saturday and Sunday, ensuring ample time for visitors to experience the full installation.
True to art toy culture, the event debuts a dedicated CRYBABY POP-Up store at WEAVE at RWS, the lifestyle mall within Resorts World Sentosa. This pop-up features exclusive merchandise that cannot be found elsewhere, making it a must-visit for serious CRYBABY collectors and POP Mart enthusiasts.
Visitors who present a same-day oceanarium ticket and hit a minimum spend of S$128 at the pop-up store will bring home an exclusive CRYBABY Cry Me an Ocean Eyemask, while stocks last. This exclusive item serves as a perfect souvenir from the event and adds significant value to the overall experience. The pop-up booth will be open from 11:00 to 22:00 daily, providing convenient access for visitors throughout their time at Resorts World Sentosa.
POP Mart at Singapore Oceanarium represents more than just a temporary installation; it signifies Singapore’s position as a global hub for innovative tourism experiences that blend entertainment with education. The collaboration reflects the city-state’s ongoing strategy to create unique attractions that appeal to international visitors while promoting local conservation initiatives.
For collectors and fans of designer toys, this event offers a rare opportunity to encounter CRYBABY in an environment that cannot be replicated anywhere else worldwide. The integration of the character with real marine habitats creates a narrative depth that transforms simple collectibility into meaningful engagement with environmental issues.
The event also demonstrates how pop culture can serve as an effective tool for environmental education. By pairing CRYBABY’s emotional philosophy with marine conservation messaging, the installation makes complex environmental concepts accessible and engaging for visitors of all ages.
When planning your visit to POP Mart at Singapore Oceanarium, consider arriving early in the day to avoid peak crowds and ensure you have sufficient time to explore all 11 photo zones thoroughly. The indoor trail can take approximately 45 to 60 minutes to complete fully, depending on your pace and how much time you spend at each photo zone.
For the best experience, combine your oceanarium visit with other attractions at Resorts World Sentosa. The WEAVE mall, where the pop-up store is located, offers additional dining and shopping options that make for a complete day out. Remember to bring your oceanarium ticket if you plan to visit the pop-up store, as this is required for the exclusive eyemask promotion.
The event runs through 30 August 2026, providing ample time for both local residents and international tourists to experience this unique collaboration. Whether you are a dedicated POP Mart collector, a marine biology enthusiast, or simply looking for a distinctive family activity in Singapore, POP Mart at Singapore Oceanarium offers something remarkable for everyone.
This groundbreaking event truly represents the future of experiential tourism, where art, education, and entertainment converge to create meaningful connections between visitors and the natural world.