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Yating Yang

The fifth Taobao Ugly Stuff Contest showcases a collection of the oddest, most hilarious “treasures” known as top 40 least aesthetically pleasing items.
For the younger generation, the unconventional items challenge traditional aesthetics, spark curiosity and serve as accessories to express their unique personalities.

Taobao is an online shopping platform owned by Alibaba, which also owns the South China Morning Post.
The items also offer a form of relief from appearance anxiety, as one netizen said: “In the face of these ugly items, our own flaws seem trivial!”
The Post takes a closer look at some of the most bizarre entries from this year’s contest.

Sea urchin hat
This headgear has horns resembling a sea urchin. Despite its prickly look, the material is surprisingly soft.
Netizens say of it: “Wear this to meetings. It is perfect for accidentally poking colleagues when you turn your head.”
“If everyone wore one, there would be a brawl!” said another.

Celery clutch
The Italian luxury brand Moschino launched a this item which costs more than 30,000 yuan (US$4,000).
In Chinese culture, the colour green implies infidelity, as a man whose wife has an affair is said to be wearing a green hat.
If employees are being exploited in the workplace or private investors lose money in the stock market, they are also referred to as green leeks.

One netizen said: “They say, ‘to survive, you must carry some green,’ but this bit of green is way too costly!”
“Might as well rename it the leek bag,” said another.
Cockroach nails
Fake press-on nails designed to resemble cockroaches are humorously said to be a must-have for residents of Guangdong province, in southern China, known for its humid climate and resilient cockroaches.
A curious online observer asked: “What if I pick my nose while wearing it, and the cockroach crawls into my brain?”

Cupping vest
This item features printed cupping points, believed to be a guide for cupping therapy.
One netizen said: “I heard swimmers love cupping therapy to expel humidity inside the body, so let each swimmer of the national team wear this.”
Zero-calorie sheets

This bedding is designed to resemble cabbage leaves, and has been humorously dubbed “zero-calorie bedding” by netizens.
“It looks like in the middle of the night, if I got hungry, I could tear off a piece of the cabbage leaf to eat,” said one online observer.
What’s the point
This is a pointed headpiece which has been nicknamed Pointed Man, a play on the Chinese word for “gentleman”.

Four-Toe Shoes
These are shoes designed for four toes, though no one knows which toes to pair together.
One netizens said: “If humans only had four toes, wearing high heels might finally be comfortable. But this just looks too bizarre!”
Horse feet

If four-toed shoes are designed to shock then “horse-stepping shoes” are all about insulting people.
This is because the term “horse-stepping” in Chinese, pronounced tama, is homophonous with a common curse slang, and it makes wearing these shoes a symbol of rebellion.
Rubbish sleep
This sleeping bag shaped like a rubbish bin comes with a printed recycling icon.

One online observer said of it: “After a night in it, you will either sleep to death, suffocate, or be overwhelmed by the smell.”
While another asked: “What if I fall asleep and end up being dumped while still asleep?”


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China ‘ugliest items’ of 2024 – sea urchin hats, celery clutches, roach nails bring amusement

The Post takes a look at the items which have been dubbed China’s ugliest of 2024. Photo: SCMP composite/Taobao

Toe curling: These bizarre sneakers can leave wearers a little bit confused. Photo: Weixin

This sea urchin hat can leave people a bit prickly towards people who wear it. Photo: Weixin

Bag of vegetables: A celery-styled clutch was a bit of a catch for some people. Photo: Weixin

The least said about these cockroach-like nail extensions the better.  Photo: Weixin

This unusual number places a new twist on traditional Chinese medicine treatments. Photo: Weixin

This bedding gives you a good nights sleep, and improves your diet. Photo: Weixin

Heads-up: This particularly ugly item of headgear gets straight to the point. Photo: Weixin

Clip-klop: These shoes in the image of a horse might just catch on at the racecourse. Photo: Weixin

Wheely ugly: This sleeping bag is just the thing for people who want a rubbish nights sleep. Photo: Weixin

Playful China cat sends resignation letter, loses owner job, Thai dog brings home bomb

A playful Chinese cat accidentally sends a resignation letter and a Thai dog brings home a bomb. Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock

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The dog thought the suspect device was just another ball to brings home. Photo: Thairath

Wealthy top China KOL rebuked for linking massive deposits to daughter’s job at bank

A top Chinese education influencer has come under fire for saying he will smooth his daughter’s career path by depositing his millions in the bank where she gets a job. Photo: SCMP composite/Weibo/Sohu

Zhang Xuefeng has faced online criticism for his controversial comments. Photo:  Weibo 

Zhang says he is worth more than US$100 million and runs two companies. Photo: Weibo

Zhang is well known for denegrating the arts and humanties while boosting careers in finance and banking. Photo: Shutterstock

Bizarre Lunar New Year gifts – wigs, red underwear, livestock, sugar cane sticks for luck

The Post takes a look at some of the most bizarre Lunar New Year gifts companies in China give to their staff.  Photo: SCMP composite/Shutterstock

Tech giant Tencent saw fit to present their staff with pieces of sugar cane. Photo: Shutterstock

The colour red is considered lucky in Chinese culture, especially at New Year. Photo: Shutterstock

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Son of Taiwan singer rejects ‘refugee’ label for TikTok RedNote converts, urges respect

The son of a Taiwan singer has stirred controversy by saying TikTok users who have migrated to RedNote are not “refugees” and need to show respect for Chinese culture. Photo: SCMP composite/Douyin/Xiaohongshu

Arts major graduate Yu Enli says he is not “comfortable” with some foreigners now using the RedNote platform. Photo: Douyin

The RedNote social media platform has experienced a flood of foreign users as a ban on TikTok looms. Photo: AFP

Anger as Korea coffee chain tells staff to call boss before family in event of plane crash

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News

People & Culture

From weird trainers to ‘edible’ bedsheets and pointy hats, the Post runs the rule over e-commerce items which have been deemed the ugliest of 2024


From weird trainers to ‘edible’ bedsheets and pointy hats, the Post runs the rule over e-commerce items which have been deemed the ugliest of 2024.


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