Stable genius? How a defective ‘crying horse’ toy went viral in China

2026-01-28 - 05:00

Toy 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. Continue reading...