Mamiko Tanaka, wife of Shohei Ohtani is spotted with a modest bag at an LA Dodgers dinner in Seoul. / Captured from Jon SooHoo social media

Japanese MLB superstar Shohei Ohtani, now with the LA Dodgers, and his wife Mamiko Tanaka, have been attracting attention for their modest lifestyle, as evidenced by Tanaka's choice of a 40,000-won ($30) bag during their visit to Korea for the first-ever 2024 MLB World Tour Seoul Series.

The Ohtanis attended a dinner organized by the LA Dodgers at a hotel in Yeouido, Seoul, on March 16. Photos shared on social media by Dodgers photographer Jon SooHoo show Tanaka in a light gray knit and black trousers, carrying a small shoulder bag.

Japanese media speculate that Tanaka's bag is a 5,000 yen (approximately 40,000 won) item from the SPA brand ZARA. Ohtani, who signed a groundbreaking 10-year, 700-million-dollar contract with the Dodgers, is seen in a new light by fans, as they praised his wife's frugality with comments like "much better than showing off one's wealth," "worth emulating" and "feels approachable."

Mamiko Tanaka, Shohei Ohtani's wife, watches from the regular seats at the Seoul Series practice game between Team Korea and the LA Dodgers at Gocheok Sky Dome, Monday. Yonhap

Tanaka's visit to Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul on March 18 to watch a practice game between the Korean national team and the LA Dodgers also drew plenty of attention. Without makeup and dressed casually, she enjoyed the match from the stands with Ohtani's mother and sister.

Japanese sports media highlighted that "Ohtani's wife sat in the regular seats, not VIP," with netizens commenting, "It's nice to see a superstar's family not in a skybox or special seats," and "The Ohtani family is humble, not taking advantage of privileges," showing their support for the baseball star.

Shohei Ohtani poses with his wife Mamiko Tanaka before flying to Seoul ahead of the 2024 Season Opener Seoul Series. Captured from LA Dodgers' official X account

Ohtani, who surprised Tanaka, a former Japanese professional basketball player, with a marriage proposal, just before flying to Seoul, made their first public appearance together in Korea. Even in the photos taken in front of the plane to Korea, Tanaka was seen in a simple black tracksuit.

Ohtani participated in the opening game of the 2024 Major League Baseball season, the Seoul Series between the LA Dodgers and San Diego Padres, at Gocheok Sky Dome in Seoul, Wednesday.

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, a sister publication of The Korea Times, was assisted by generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.