A viral story emerged about a man who successfully sued his wife for giving birth to children he deemed unattractive. This peculiar case, involving a Chinese man named Jian Feng, first gained attention in 2004. Following the birth of their daughter, Feng accused his wife of infidelity, claiming he could never father an “ugly” child.
According to reports from the Irish Times, Feng’s suspicions led him to request a DNA test, which confirmed he was indeed the father. Upon this revelation, his wife confessed to having undergone approximately $100,000 in cosmetic surgery in South Korea prior to their marriage. She had not disclosed this significant detail, leading Feng to file a lawsuit on the grounds of false pretenses.
The case took an unexpected turn when a judge ruled in favor of Feng, ordering his ex-wife to pay $120,000. Feng expressed his feelings about the situation, stating, “I married my wife out of love, but as soon as we had our first daughter, we began having marital issues. Our daughter was incredibly ugly, to the point where it horrified me.”
Viral Spread and Misleading Imagery
The story saw a resurgence nearly a decade later, in 2012, when it went viral on the internet. It was during this time that a family photo, purportedly of Jian Feng and his children, began circulating. Various news outlets, including MSN and FOX, reported on the case, claiming that Feng had won his lawsuit and citing the image as evidence of his claims.
This photo, however, was misrepresented. It originated from a Taiwanese advertisement for a plastic surgery clinic featuring model Heidi Yeh. The children in the image were digitally altered to appear less attractive, and the ad contained a message about the potential consequences of cosmetic surgery. Yeh later filed a lawsuit for misappropriation, arguing that the use of her image harmed her career and personal life.
The origins of the story itself trace back to the Heilongjiang Morning Post, a publication often criticized for sharing unverified urban legends. Its reputation for unreliable reporting raised questions about the authenticity of Feng’s tale, which the newspaper eventually acknowledged, apologizing for its lack of factual verification.
The Nature of Urban Legends
The narrative surrounding Jian Feng and his wife serves as a cautionary tale, illustrating how easily misinformation can spread, especially in the age of social media. While the story captivated audiences, it also reflects broader societal attitudes toward beauty, family, and the pressures of appearance.
Many urban legends, like this one, often carry moral lessons, yet they can also mislead and create misconceptions. In this case, the portrayal of “ugly” children and the ensuing legal action sparked discussions on the societal expectations placed on physical appearance and the consequences of deceit in personal relationships.
Ultimately, the saga of Jian Feng highlights the importance of critical thinking when consuming viral stories, especially those that seem too sensational to be true. As with many urban tales, the blend of fact and fiction serves to remind us of the complexities of human relationships and societal norms surrounding beauty.
