Father Of South Korean 8-Yr-Old Murder Victim Hopes His Daughter’s Idol, IVE’s Jang Wonyoung, Will Attend Her Wake

The horrific murder case of a child stabbed by a teacher in South Korea has rocked the nation, and more details about the young victim have surfaced. 

Kim Ha Neul, an eight-year-old student from Daejeon was stabbed to death by a teacher from her school on Feb 10. Ha Neul had passed away upon reaching the hospital. The 40-year-old teacher, who had just returned to teaching in late 2024 after taking a leave of absence due to depression, later confessed to attacking the little girl.

Ha Neul’s father told Korean media that his daughter was a huge fan of K-pop girl group IVE’s Jang Wonyoung and aspired to be like her. “Every item she owned and every gift she received was all about Jang Wonyoung,” he said, adding that she would watch any show that her idol appeared in.

In fact, IVE has sent a condolence wreath to Ha Neul's funeral. 

Said Ha Neul's father: “IVE sent us a wreath, but I had promised Haneul to bring her to IVE’s concert if they ever came to Daejeon. Haneul’s dream was basically Jang Wonyoung’s very existence.”

But he also has another wish for his child. "If I could have a special request, it would be that Wonyoung come to visit Haneul at her wake even though she is probably busy."

In response, Korean netizens flocked to Wonyoung’s social media pages to pressure her to pay her respects in person at Ha Neul’s wake.

“I hope you can grant her dad’s request for the little girl’s sake,” wrote one netizen.

Some also believed that the 20-year-old star would gain a bad reputation if she fails to show up.

However, other netizens opined that the idol is being “emotionally blackmailed”.

“Why is she being forced to grieve?” questioned one netizen.

Others also said that Wonyoung had already sent Ha Neul a wreath out of kindness, and that she shouldn’t be made to do more. They also acknowledged that Wonyoung was being put in a difficult position where she would get hate if she didn't accede to the father’s request.

Speaking in Wonyoung’s defense, another netizen also said that as a loyal fan of the star, Ha Neul wouldn’t wish for her to be in such a predicament.