K-pop group IVE has sent a memorial wreath to the wake of 8-year-old Kim Ha Neul after her father revealed that she was a massive fan of one of the group's members.
Ha Neul was the victim of a stabbing attack in Daejeon, South Korea, on Monday. A female elementary school teacher in her 40s allegedly stabbed the 8-year-old student multiple times on her face and shoulders.
The victim was found on the second floor of a Daejeon elementary school around 6 p.m. local time and was rushed to the hospital, where she passed away from her injuries.
Speaking to reporters, Ha Neul's father said his daughter was a massive fan of IVE's Jang Wonyoung. He added that she would never miss an opportunity to watch the idol on television whenever she made an appearance.
"No matter what show it was, if Jang Wonyoung appeared, she had to watch it. Even if it meant staying up late, she never missed a live broadcast," the father said.
He ended the interview by appealing to a K-pop group, hoping that Wonyoung would give the victim a "warm goodbye."
The members did not disappoint. IVE sent a wreath to the victim's wake, which was placed close to Ha Neul's memorial photo.
Behind the Daejeon Stabbing
Police said the assailant confessed to stabbing the eight-year-old. According to a statement she gave authorities, the assailant said she planned the attack but chose the victim randomly. Ha Neul was the last student to leave an after-school program.
The teacher then approached the child and lured her into an audiovisual room under the pretense of giving her a book. She did not have any prior contact with Ha Neul.
The stabbing incident came after the teacher was put on a six-month leave on Dec. 9 due to depression. However, she returned to school nearly three weeks later after a doctor said she was fit to work, according to BBC News.
It was noted that the assailant attacked another teacher days before the stabbing, putting that victim in a headlock.
