Hong Kong actress Phoebe Sin, 34, recently became the target of salty netizens after she was photographed carrying an Hermès Birkin 25 bag.

The Miss Hong Kong 2016 finalist, who was at a museum event with her hubby, TVB star Ruco Chan, 47, was accused of being a gold digger and criticised for splurging the actor's hard-earned money on luxury items.

Netizens also said she was "finally showing her materialistic side", going from toting "ordinary bags to Hermès".

Phoebe's Birkin, which was accessorised with a Twilly silk scarf and charms from the French luxury house, is said to cost around HK$160K (S$28K).

When asked about criticism against his wife during TVB’s Community Chest Charity Show on Jun 1, Ruco defended Phoebe, joking: “She married me for my money! Doesn't everyone know my background? Actually, I'm the illegitimate son of a rich man."

He added that he is not bothered by such talk and would usually just laugh it off.

"Which woman doesn't like bags? My wife likes them too and she has her own collection of paper bags and reusable bags. She likes anything beautiful. She studied handbag design in the UK, so it's not about the brand or the value."

Turns out, he had gifted Phoebe the Birkin a long time ago.

“Since she was willing to marry me, of course, I had to give her a gift first!" said Ruco.

He further defended Phoebe by explaining: "The most important thing is the occasion. Since we were attending an antique exhibition with many valuable artifacts, we dressed more formally."

The couple tied the knot in 2018 after dating for two years. They have a a daughter Quinta, five.