Production mistake turns 'weepy horse' toy into viral hit in China

(ECNS) — A toy horse with its mouth accidentally stitched upside down has gone viral on Chinese social media, transforming what was once seen as a manufacturing defect into an unexpected bestseller in Yiwu, the trinket capital of the world in China's Zhejiang Province.

The plush toy, originally intended as a smiling Year of the Horse figurine, attracted widespread attention after a consumer in Hangzhou shared her purchase online. Netizens dubbed the toy the "weepy horse," saying its drooping mouth and "sad-cute" expression were both hilarious and oddly comforting.

The toy soon sparked heated discussion, with related topics topping trending lists on major platforms such as Weibo and Douyin (Chinese TikTok). As its popularity grew, large numbers of consumers began contacting local sellers in hopes of getting one.

A merchant surnamed Zhang said demand has far exceeded expectations, with more than a dozen production lines operating at full capacity. Even so, delivery timelines have already been extended to March 2026. The toy, which stands about 20 centimeters tall, sells for 25 yuan (around $3.5).

According to the seller, the unusual design resulted from a worker mistakenly sewing the upturned mouth into a downward curve during production, creating what was first considered a flawed product.

(By Evelyn)