After a story spread that an office worker received an invitation to a singlehood party from an acquaintance, a range of reactions emerged online.
Recently, an office worker community carried a post titled "A former coworker asking for congratulatory money for a 40th birthday singlehood party."
Author A introduced the subject of the post as a former coworker, B, saying, "There was a colleague I was quite close with at my previous company. That friend had a favorite saying: 'When I turn 40, I'm going to throw a big singlehood party.'"
A added, "Back then, the friend said, 'I'm going to collect all the congratulatory money I've given so far, so everyone be ready,'" and said, "At the time, we all laughed it off as a joke, saying, 'Of course.'"
In fact, B sent an invitation, saying the singlehood party would be held in May upon turning 40. The invitation said they planned to rent out an entire cafe with a yard to hold an outdoor party, and at the bottom it listed a bank account number to receive congratulatory money.
A said, "A few years ago, at my wedding, that friend gave me 100,000 won in congratulatory money," adding, "From a give-and-take perspective, it's right that I return 100,000 won. Since that friend is single, this is the only chance to get that money back."
However, A added, "It felt a bit strange. I wondered if this was a party for collections," and said, "Congratulatory money is given with a spirit of mutual help and celebration, but this isn't a wedding and the person is single. Isn't it a bit odd to celebrate a single life?"
A said they laid out their feelings honestly to B, but B replied, "Everyone gives at weddings thinking they'll get their congratulatory money back, so what about me? I have to receive it this way."
A concluded by saying they would ultimately attend the singlehood party B invited them to.
Internet users are flooding the story with mixed reactions. Alongside responses defending B, such as "Of course, even if it's a party marking being single, it should be given as a gesture of congratulations," there are also critical reactions like "But if that person later gets married, they shouldn't accept congratulatory money."