Originally intended to showcase a smile, the horse toy’s mouth was sewn upside down, resulting in a look of profound melancholy|Choo Yut Shing|CC BY-NC-SA 2.0
A simple sewing mistake has turned a horse toy into an unlikely viral sensation in China as the country prepares to celebrate the Lunar New Year on February 17, known as the Year of the Fire Horse.
The toy was originally designed with a cheerful smile. However, its mouth was accidentally stitched upside down, giving it a sad, tearful expression. The “crying horse” quickly struck a chord online.
The hashtag has drawn more than 190 million views on Douyin, China’s version of TikTok, and the toy has become a symbol of burnout among young professionals.
The surge in popularity has also fueled strong sales. Some shopkeepers are now struggling to keep up with demand, producing nearly 15,000 units a day as orders pour in from across China and overseas markets.
While the Year of the Fire Horse is typically a symbol of ambition and intensity, many workers feel the sad horse version more accurately reflects their reality. They are in a climate of stagnating wages and the grueling “996” (working from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., six days a week) work culture.