Skip to main contentSkip to navigation Close dialogue1/2 Next image Previous image Toggle captionSkip to navigation Crying horse plush toys sit on display ahead of the Chinese Lunar New Year, which will welcome the Year of the Horse Photograph: Nicoco Chan/Reuters View image in fullscreen Crying horse plush toys sit on display ahead of the Chinese Lunar New Year, which will welcome the Year of the Horse Photograph: Nicoco Chan/Reuters Stable genius? How a defective ‘crying horse’ toy went viral in ChinaToy becomes a popular symbol of workplace fatigue after manufacturing error gave it a frown instead of a smile On 17 February China will celebrate the start of the year of the horse, the zodiac sign symbolising high energy and hard work. But the runaway success of a defective stuffed toy suggests that many Chinese are not feeling the vibe.A red horse toy produced by Happy Sister in the city of Yiwu in the west of China was meant to wear a broad grin, but a factory error meant it hit the shops sporting a despairing grimace. Because the smile was placed upside down, the horse’s nostrils could be interpreted as tears.Labubu underground: Lafufu makers defy Chinese authorities to feed the world’s appetite for viral doll Read moreDespite the manufacturing error, the toy has become an unexpected success with…
Published: January 28, 2026 7:56 am
Source: The Guardian — Read original