Behind the adorable yet emotionally rich character “Crybaby” is Mod Nisa Srikamdee, known to many as “Molly” — a Thai artist and designer who uses art to express emotions people often shy away from: sadness and tears.
Crybaby’s tears aren’t just part of the design — they are a symbol of a small, safe space that says, “Crying is normal” and shouldn’t be hidden behind a smile.
For that reason, Molly defines “Crybaby” not as a “human,” but as an emotion — something internal rather than an external appearance. Crybaby has no gender and can be anything.
Back in university, Molly often drew characters involving tears. She created “Rabbit Cry,” a crying bunny with the same signature feature as Crybaby — big teardrops. After graduating, she worked as a graphic designer earning a salary of 19,000 baht. The turning point came one morning when she woke up and asked herself, “Why am I not doing something I’m truly passionate about?” That day, she dove in with no sketches, no plan — just raw feeling and a kind of creative madness that kept her working until 2 or 3 a.m. every night for two straight months.
The result was Crybaby, a work that became a global sensation. Molly became the first Thai artist to collaborate with the world-renowned figure brand POP MART, turning Crybaby into a beloved character with fans across Asia.
But beyond the fame, Molly simply hopes that Crybaby can be like a friend who cries with us on sad days — a gentle force that never judges anyone’s emotions, and one that will remain in people’s hearts for a long time.
Source: Ellethailand, The Standard
Photos: Tatler Asia, Pop Mart
