Gave a 3 Million Won Designer Bag for His Mother’s Birthday, but for My Mother-in-Law’s Birthday He Says 'A Meal Is Enough' [Decision to Break Up]

[Financial News] A story has emerged of a woman who experienced conflict with her husband over the unequal financial support given to his family and her own.
According to Joongang Tongyang Broadcasting Company (JTBC)'s 'Case Chief' on the 30th, Ms. A revealed that she was pressured to give a designer bag as a gift while already providing financial support to her husband's parents.
Eight years ago, Ms. A met her husband after being introduced to the son of a taxi driver during a cab ride. After dating for a year and a half, they got married.
Ms. A explained, "My father-in-law, who worked as a taxi driver, had to quit after several accidents, so just a year into our marriage, I ended up covering my in-laws’ living expenses. Although it weighed on me to provide only for my husband's family, I endured it for a long time considering their difficult circumstances."
However, last year, after celebrating her 70th birthday with a family trip to Zhangjiajie, her mother-in-law began to voice complaints.
The mother-in-law lamented, "I was embarrassed during the trip. Everyone else had designer bags, but mine looked shabby." In response, Ms. A promised, "I'll buy you one for your next birthday." Recently, her mother-in-law sent her a link to a designer bag worth 3 million won. After discussing it with her husband, Ms. A ended up gifting the bag for her mother-in-law’s birthday this year.
Later, as her own mother’s birthday approached, Ms. A made a reservation at an upscale restaurant. When she asked her husband, "What should we get my mom as a gift?" he replied, "The meal alone will cost about 500,000 won. Do we really need to get a gift too?"
Ms. A pointed out, "We gave both a meal and a gift for your parents’ birthdays," but her husband dismissed her concerns, saying, "This is different. I’ll make sure to celebrate your mother’s 70th birthday properly in two years."
Angered, Ms. A decided to get even. When her mother-in-law offered to buy her any birthday gift she wanted, Ms. A sent her the same designer bag link she had gifted last year.
Her mother-in-law did not reply, but soon after, her husband texted, "Are you out of your mind? My mom is angry right now. You really messed up this time."
After coming home from work, her husband demanded, "Apologize to my mother first." Ms. A retorted, "I’ll give the bag to my mom if I get it. If not, I want a divorce."
Readers reacted with mixed opinions. Some criticized the mother-in-law, saying, "It’s immature to complain about not having a designer bag at seventy while receiving living expenses." Others argued, "A 70th birthday is not the same as a regular birthday," and "The husband said he would celebrate his mother-in-law’s 70th, so what’s the problem?" criticizing Ms. A’s attitude.
Commenting on the situation, psychology professor Sanghee Park said, "The woman finally snapped after holding back for so long, but the couple’s communication is clearly lacking. Sending a designer bag link, knowing it wouldn’t be bought, was a move that was bound to cause conflict."
She added, "The husband needs to make an effort to understand his wife’s feelings, and the wife should learn to express herself directly and communicate more effectively."
moon@fnnews.com Moon Young-jin Reporter