After it was revealed that Kim Ha Neul, a young girl murdered by a teacher in Daejeon, South Korea, was an avid fan of the K-pop girl group IVE, some online users turned to IVE member Jang Won Young’s social media accounts, demanding public tributes and condolences. This behavior has sparked criticism from others.
As news of Kim Ha Neul’s admiration for IVE spread, comments on Jang Won Young’s recent social media posts have been filled with requests for public mourning. Messages such as “Please pray for Ha Neul,” “Say hello to Ha Neul,” “Please visit Ha Neul,” and “Please attend the funeral of the innocent angel who was brutally taken from us” have flooded her accounts.
On Tuesday, Kim Ha Neul’s father revealed that her dream was to become an idol and that she had been a fan of IVE. IVE sent a condolence wreath to the funeral home in Seogu, Daejeon, to express their sympathy.
However, as some online users pressured individual members, including Jang Won Young, to offer personal tributes, others voiced their displeasure. They commented, “Why are people demanding tributes? Does Jang Won Young need to mourn for it to be enough? Mourning publicly is a personal decision. ” They also said, “Sending a wreath should be enough—does a celebrity really need to visit in person? Don’t go overboard.” These users criticized the demands for public mourning.
In a related development, on Monday, Kim Ha Neul and another individual were found with stab wounds in the audiovisual room on the second floor of an elementary school building in Gwanjeo-dong, Daejeon. Kim Ha Neul, who had injuries to her hands and feet, was rushed to the hospital in cardiac arrest but ultimately passed away from her injuries. According to police reports, the suspect confessed to the crime before undergoing surgery, stating, “I intended to die with any child, it didn’t matter who, and I specifically targeted the last child leaving school.”