One second of dopamine, a lifetime of waste: The environmental cost of viral sensory toys

A wax-coated clay toy known as the "Wakppuball" has become a viral sensation among young people in South Korea, driven by videos capturing the satisfying moment its hard wax shell cracks apart.

But experts say the trend also highlights the environmental costs of disposable products designed for brief moments of entertainment.

The appeal of the toy peaks when users press down on its hardened wax coating, producing a crisp cracking sound before revealing the soft clay inside.

Once broken, however, the wax fragments scatter in different directions, and the sharp pieces that remain attached to the clay make it difficult to continue playing.

Rather than serving as a toy for extended use, the Wakppuball has become content centered on "the moment it breaks." Users film and share videos of the cracking process, with clips featuring the clearest and most satisfying sounds often attracting the highest view counts.

The trend has turned a fleeting experience into a form of viral online challenge.

Lee Hong-joo, a professor of consumer economics at Sookmyung Women's University, said users relieve str ...