The Accidental Mascot: How a Factory Error in China Created a Viral Sensation
In a bizarre turn of events, a batch of horse plush toys with upside-down mouths has captured the hearts of millions in China. The 'crying horse' trend, which originated from a factory error, has become an unlikely mascot for the upcoming Lunar New Year celebrations.A Serendipitous Mistake
The story began when a factory worker accidentally sewed the mouths of a batch of horse plush toys on the wrong side. The result was a small army of sad-faced 'crying' horses, which were designed to be happy-faced mascots for the Lunar New Year celebrations. A customer who received one of these defective products decided to keep it and posted about it online.
The Viral Sensation
From there, the 'crying horse' trend took off on Chinese social media platforms Douyin (the domestic version of TikTok) and Weibo. The hashtag #cryinghorse had been used over 200 million times by Wednesday, with more than 100 million views as a trending topic on Weibo.
A Symbol of Resilience
The 'crying horse' trend has become a symbol of resilience and adaptability in the face of adversity. In an interview, Emma Li, a fact-checker for CBS News Confirmed, noted that the story highlights the importance of embracing mistakes and finding opportunities in unexpected places.
The 'crying horse' trend may have started as a factory error, but it has become a heartwarming reminder of the power of creativity and resilience. As we approach the Lunar New Year celebrations, this unlikely mascot serves as a symbol of hope and inspiration for millions in China.
