YIWU, ZHEJIANG (MNN); At Yiwu International Trade City, China’s largest wholesale market, shoppers are flocking to a small store in search of an unexpected hit ahead of the Lunar New Year — a red plush horse with a sad expression.
The toy, featuring a downturned mouth, a gold bell around its neck and shy-looking eyes, has gone viral on Chinese social media ahead of the Spring Festival, which this year ushers in the Year of the Horse under the Chinese zodiac.
Nicknamed the “crying horse” by online users, the toy was originally designed as a cheerful Lunar New Year decoration. However, a production error transformed its intended smile into a frown.
“A worker accidentally stitched the mouth upside down,” said Zhang Huoqing, owner of the Yiwu-based shop Happy Sister.
Zhang said she initially offered a refund after discovering the defect, but the customer never returned the toy. Soon after, images of the sad-faced horse began circulating widely online.
“People joked that the crying horse shows how you look at work, while the smiling version is how you look after work,” Zhang said.
As demand surged, Zhang decided to continue producing the frowning version. Many young office workers say the horse’s gloomy expression reflects their long working hours and daily stress.
The toy also aligns with China’s growing “ugly-cute” trend, which has gained popularity in recent years through characters such as Pop Mart’s toothy monster Labubu.
“Almost everyone who comes into the shop asks for the crying horse now,” said Lou Zhenxian, a Yiwu vendor with over 25 years of experience selling festive items.
By early afternoon, shelves outside the Happy Sister store had sold out, with staff hurrying to restock.
“We will keep selling it,” Zhang said. “This crying horse truly captures the reality of modern working people.”
