A ‘frowning’ toy has become a huge hit after a tired worker accidentally sewed its smiling mouth upside down.
The cuddly toy was designed to be a happy horse to mark the Chinese Year of the Horse.
But a sewing blunder led the owner to rethink her marketing plan.
READ MORE: Daredevils’ vertigo-inducing descent down sheer rockface leaves viewers queasy
- Advertisement -
She patented the weeping nag as a new product and set up 10 new production lines to cope with the sudden demand.
The production mistake was revealed in a viral social media post earlier this month.
A netizen shared a photo of the sad toy at their workplace and other users fell in love with it, as reported by What’s The Jam.
One local said: “This little toy looks so sad and pitiful, just like the way I feel at work.”
Another added: “Imperfection is a true reflection of ordinary people, our flaws are what make life so vibrant.”
- Advertisement -
A third said: “The crying horse is the perfect mascot for 2026.”
Factory owner Zhang Huoqing said daily sales were only around 400 units when they first released the smiling horse in October last year.
But now the frowning version is selling off the shelves.
- Advertisement -
Zhang is taking daily orders for tens of thousands, including from the Middle East and South Africa.
She even had to set up 10 new production lines at her factory in Jinhua, China, to cope.
The 20cm-tall toy, which has a ‘money comes quickly’ message embroidered on its body, costs £2.60 (CNY 25).
The company applied for a new patent for the sad version and started using the character on other merchandise items such as travel pillows and keychains.
Although the employee responsible for the blunder remains unknown, Zhang said she would reward the whole production team.
READ MORE: Custom-built Range Rover without roof made for Brunei Royal Family selling for £110,000
