Mistakenly Frowning Horse Plush Draws Crowds in China

In Yiwu, China — home to the world’s largest wholesale market — an unlikely toy has become one of the most talked-about items ahead of the Lunar New Year.

The red plush horse was originally designed as a cheerful decoration to mark the Year of the Horse in the Chinese zodiac. But a simple manufacturing error stitched its mouth upside down, transforming the intended smile into a sad frown.

Instead of rejecting the flawed toy, customers embraced it. Photos of the downcast horse quickly spread across Chinese social media, where users nicknamed it the “crying horse.”

The toy’s shy eyes and gloomy expression resonated widely, particularly with young white-collar workers who said it reflected their own feelings of long hours and workplace pressure.

Vendors in Yiwu reported a surge in demand, with shelves selling out rapidly as customers actively sought out the sad-faced version rather than the corrected design. Shop owners chose to continue producing the “crying horse,” recognizing its emotional appeal and cultural relevance.

The toy’s popularity also taps into China’s growing “ugly-cute” trend, where imperfect or melancholic designs are celebrated for their relatability and charm.