A Mistake Turns Into a Hit... "Crying Horse" Doll Soars from 400 to Tens of Thousands in Daily Sales in China

A Sewing Error Creates an Upside-Down Horse Doll
"It's Just Like My Sad Self" ? Gaining Popularity Among Chinese Office Workers

A horse doll born out of a sewing mistake has earned the nickname "Crying Horse" and is gaining popularity among young people in China.

A crying horse doll made by sewing mistake at a toy factory in eastern China. Social media (SNS)

On January 14 (local time), the South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported that a horse doll, created by a sewing error at a toy factory in eastern China, has gone viral online and seen a significant increase in sales.

According to the report, in January, a photo of a red horse doll with a crying expression was shared online in China, sparking widespread attention. The doll was produced at the Yiwu International Trade City in Zhejiang Province, China, known as the world's largest wholesale market for small commodities. Standing 20 centimeters tall and priced at 25 yuan (approximately 5,300 won), the doll features a red body embroidered with a golden phrase meaning "wealth comes quickly."

However, due to a mistake during the sewing process, the doll's mouth and nostrils were stitched facing downward, making it a defective product. The seller noticed the issue and offered to exchange it.

Nevertheless, Chinese netizens resonated with the doll's imperfect appearance and began calling it the "Crying Horse." One buyer wrote, "This horse doll looks so sad; it perfectly reflects how I feel at work," adding, "In the Year of the Horse, I want to let go of the frustrations I experience in the workplace and keep only happiness, together with this crying doll."

The doll is especially popular among young office workers in China. A post related to the Crying Horse doll surpassed 1 billion views on local social media platforms. SCMP reported, "It resonates with the sentiments of young Chinese who self-deprecatingly refer to overworked employees as 'niu-ma' (cows and horses), gaining widespread empathy."

Zhang Huo-qing, the factory representative, stated that when the doll was first released in October last year, only 400 units were sold per day, but since the Crying Horse doll went viral, tens of thousands of orders are now being placed daily. The factory has added more than 10 production lines to meet the soaring demand. While the worker responsible for the sewing error has not been identified, Zhang has promised rewards for the entire production team.

The company has applied for a design patent for the Crying Horse doll's appearance and is expanding the product line to include items such as keychains and travel neck pillows. Overseas wholesale orders from countries such as South Africa, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia have also increased significantly.

According to the Chinese lunar calendar, the Year of the Horse will begin on February 17, 2026. In Chinese tradition, the horse symbolizes vitality, progress, and resilience. One netizen commented, "The Crying Horse is the perfect mascot to represent 2026," adding, "I hope we can calmly accept life's sorrows and challenges." Another user said, "A worker's mistake led to an unexpectedly adorable result."