"I Was Embarrassed to Live in a Villa, So I Lied About My Address to My Boyfriend"

Lied About Home Address to Boyfriend of 2 Years Before Marriage
Continued Lies... "Afraid He'll Lose Interest If Truth Comes Out"
Netizens Debate "Understandable" vs "Liar"

A story about a woman who was ashamed of living in a villa and lied about her home address to her fianc? has sparked heated debates among netizens.

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Photo by Moon Honam, Asia Economy

On the 23rd, a post titled "I lied about my home address to my fianc?" was uploaded on an online community. The author, Ms. A, who has been dating her boyfriend for two years with marriage in mind, said, "Both my boyfriend and I come from middle-class families," and added, "It's hard to explain in detail, but my boyfriend probably thinks my family is much wealthier than his when considering my parents' occupations and my appearance. I also think his family is wealthier than mine."

Ms. A explained, "Since I was young, I went on an early study abroad program costing about 60 million won per year. After returning to Korea for university, I ended my long study abroad life, so I had many wealthy friends around me," and continued, "People who know me seem to think my parents must be well-off to support such a long study abroad." She added, "I grew up without lacking anything and often received luxury brand gifts from my parents, and after becoming an adult, I even received a car as a gift. While we may not be wealthy, I think we are at least middle class."

However, Ms. A claimed that the location of her family home was the root of the problem. She said, "My father is a self-made man and has no interest in houses or real estate investment," and "The house we own is a dilapidated villa we moved into 30 years ago without spending a single penny. He is comfortable there and has no intention of moving." She continued, "Since my university days, I have been living on my own, and my rented place is actually better than my family home," adding, "The monthly rent is over 1.5 million won, and even now while working, my parents still give me money as an allowance."

Ms. A confessed, "Since high school, when I came back to Korea during vacations, I hid my home from my friends. Whenever I visited their houses, I felt ashamed of my villa home," and "When I dated a boyfriend after graduation, if he said he would take me home, I would ask to be dropped off at the apartment next door. But with my current boyfriend, whom I promised to marry, I feel guilty for lying about my home address early in our relationship."

She added, "I lied that I lived in a neighboring area full of nice houses, and when my boyfriend asked exactly where my home was, I got angry and hid it," and "I feel that hiding this and getting married is really wrong, so I think I should tell him. I threatened my father, saying, 'Do you want to ruin your daughter's marriage prospects?' and decided to move next year. But I’m sure my boyfriend will lose affection for me because of the lies and actions I’ve taken over the past two years. Is it right to correct the truth even if it means risking a breakup?" she asked for opinions.

Netizens who read the story responded with comments such as, "Why lie about your home?", "There are better things to lie about," "The father must be really upset," "If a boyfriend breaks off the marriage because she lives in a villa, he’s probably the strange one. Why does she feel inferior about living in a villa?" "If I were the father, I’d be upset too since I raised her without lacking anything," and "One lie leads to bigger lies."

On the other hand, some netizens said, "I’ve had similar experiences, so I understand," "Honestly, living in a villa doesn’t look good," and "If the parents are well-off but still live in a villa, I’d probably say the same thing," showing mixed reactions.