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'Crying Horse' Toys Go Viral in China Ahead of Lunar New Year
The 'crying horse' plush toy went viral and sold out quickly at Yiwu International Trade City, reflecting workplace stress for many young Chinese, shop owners said.
- On January 21, 2026, shoppers at Yiwu International Trade City rushed to buy a red plush horse with a downturned mouth and a gold bell, selling racks outside Happy Sister by early afternoon.
- A shop worker accidentally sewed the horse's mouth upside down, and images of the flawed toy spread on Chinese social media ahead of the Spring Festival, owner Zhang Huoqing said.
- Many young white-collar workers embraced the toy as a symbol of workplace stress, with Jason Yu saying, `The emotional value the toy conveys is higher than any perfect toy can provide.`
- Shop owner Zhang Huoqing chose to produce more of the sad-faced design to meet surging demand, and its 25 Chinese yuan price point helped it spread quickly online.
- Placed against China's demanding 9-9-6 work culture, Mark Tanner noted `this has been happening for some years, particularly with movements like lying flat`, reflecting broader consumer moods like the ugly-cute trend popularised by Pop Mart's Labubu.
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13 Articles
13 Articles
China's accidental 'crying horse' plush toy goes viral
As the Lunar New Year approaches, a production error at a toy factory has led to the creation of a viral 'crying horse' plush toy. Intended to celebrate the Year of the Horse, the toy's upside-down mouth has resonated with China's overworked, stressed young white-collar employees. The toy has become a symbol of their struggles, with sales booming amid the country’s economic challenges and youth unemployment.
·France
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In Yiwu International Trade City, China's largest wholesale market, customers are trapped in a small store looking for an unexpected besteller before the Nou Lunar Year. They are looking for a red doll horse, with mouth left down sad, with a...
·Romania
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources13
Leaning Left2Leaning Right2Center5Last UpdatedBias Distribution56% Center
Bias Distribution
- 56% of the sources are Center
56% Center
L 22%
C 56%
R 22%
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