Viral 'crying horse' turns factory error into sales success in China: Video
A simple stitching mistake has transformed a plush toy into an unexpected commercial hit at the Yiwu International Trade Market.
At the bustling wholesale hub in eastern China, shoppers visiting the Happy Sister outlet have been drawn to a batch of horses whose mouths were sewn upside down, giving them a tearful expression rather than a smile. Footage shows the so-called “crying horses” displayed alongside their grinning counterparts, attracting attention both in store and online.
Shop owner Zhang Huoqing, who launched her plush business in March 2017, said the trend began when a wholesaler attempted to return one of the misstitched toys. Although she initially agreed, the buyer later decided to keep it. As interest grew from other customers asking about the unusual design, Zhang chose to produce the upside-down version intentionally.
The once-accidental design quickly evolved into a new product line, selling strongly as demand increased on social media and through wholesale channels. What might have been dismissed as a factory flaw has instead highlighted how a small imperfection can capture global attention — and generate real commercial value.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
