Culinary researcher Lee Hye-jung candidly shared her experiences with ancestral rituals as the eldest daughter-in-law.
On the 12th, the MBN show 'Sokpulishow Dongchimi' featured stories from participants under the theme 'Is this how to establish the daughter-in-law's discipline?'
That day, Lee Hye-jung opened up by saying, "I was the eldest daughter-in-law. All the rituals were my responsibility. At first, I treated the daughter-in-law like a guest, but I thought the times had changed. I could no longer do that."
She recalled, "For 3 to 4 years, I made accommodations for the daughter-in-law. Still, to prepare for the rituals, she needed to come the day before, right? But the daughter-in-law thought that only frying the pancakes was her responsibility," reflecting on the frustrating situation at the time.
She continued, "I set a day and called the daughter-in-law. I firmly said, 'The rituals are your responsibility. What I have done was to help you with what you need to do.' I told her not to ask what time to come or leave. She needed to come the day before and prepare on her own."
Lee Hye-jung also mentioned the principles she followed while preparing for the rituals. She explained, "I always prepared the ritual expenses with new bills, and I never placed the offerings on the ground. That was my way of showing respect to the elders. I did the same in my family."
Unexpected reconciliation came after the conflict with the daughter-in-law. Lee Hye-jung shared, "A week later, the daughter-in-law brought a letter. It said, 'I realized how hard you have lived, Mother. Please help me only while I raise the children. I will follow your guidance well,'" conveying a touching moment.
Meanwhile, Lee Hye-jung is married to obstetrician Ko Min-hwan and has one son and one daughter.
[Kim Seung-hye, MK Sports Reporter]
