Image credit: VCG
A simple manufacturing error turned into a wave of overwhelming orders after a toy manufacturer in Yiwu accidentally stitched the mouths of plush zodiac horses upside down, causing the toys to go unexpectedly viral for being so relatable.
Sad horse turned out to be relatable
The depressed-looking horses struck a chord with many netizens who were drawn to the toy’s pitiful look and found its expression strangely comforting and therapeutic. The overwhelming response has since turned the flawed design into a surprise hit, with nearly 20,000 Cry-Cry Horse toys now being ordered each day.
According to mainland outlet People’s Daily, a stitching error caused the toy’s mouth and nostrils to be sewn facing downwards, giving it a pouty, tearful expression that was initially regarded as a defect.
Instead of rejecting it, many netizens grew fond of the flawed design and affectionately named the toy “Cry-Cry Horse”.
Chinese netizens have shared that this little horse looks so sad and pitiful, just like how they feel at work.
The toy has since struck a chord with many young people who often describe themselves as niu ma — a Chinese slang term meaning “cattle and horse” used to refer to overworked employees — with the Crying Horse becoming a new symbol of office workers’ shared struggles.
For Malaysians interested in buying this sad little horse, it can be found on Shopee.
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