A man surnamed Zhu from Kaohsiung, Taiwan, who had been married to his wife Ms. Yang for 25 years, repeatedly met privately with a woman surnamed Zhang. Ms. Yang followed the two and recorded 13 videos, which included scenes of blowing kisses, cuddling while looking at a phone, and sharing a drink, and sued for violation of spousal rights, seeking NT$500,000 (approximately RM68,000) in damages. Based on the footage, the judge determined that blowing kisses and cuddling while looking at a phone constituted infidelity, but sharing a drink did not amount to infringement. In the first trial, both were ordered to jointly pay NT$150,000 (around RM20,000) in damages.
According to the verdict, Mr. Zhu and Ms. Yang had been married for 25 years with children, but since 2021, Ms. Yang noticed her husband frequently did not return home on weekends and his relationship with Ms. Zhang was unusual.
Between October and November 2023, Ms. Yang followed them and recorded 13 videos, which showed Mr. Zhu spending the night at Ms. Zhang's house, intimately cuddling and looking at a phone together, sharing a drink, and even captured both of them blowing "air kisses" to each other when parting. She sued for infringement of spousal rights.
During the trial, Ms. Zhang claimed that she and Mr. Zhu were merely ordinary friends; being filmed cuddling while looking at a phone was due to her presbyopia and nearsightedness, requiring her to move closer to see. As for "air kisses," she claimed she unconsciously touched her nose due to nasal allergies. Regarding "sharing a drink," Ms. Zhang said she is Indigenous, and sharing cups is common in her community and not an intimate act.
After reviewing the videos, the judge found that blowing kisses, cuddling while looking at a phone, and staying overnight together had indeed violated spousal rights, but sharing a drink was considered normal behavior among male and female friends and did not exceed the bounds of a regular friendship. The judge ruled Ms. Zhang and Mr. Zhu must jointly compensate the plaintiff NT$150,000.
Both parties were dissatisfied with the verdict and appealed, but their appeals were dismissed by the Qiaotou District Court in the second instance, making the judgment final.