Father of 8-Year-Old Speaks Out Amid IVE Jang Wonyoung's 'Condolence Controversy'

The family of Kim Ha-neul(8), who tragically lost her life at the hands of a teacher in her school, has pleaded with the media to stop manufacturing unnecessary controversy.

According to a report by Hankyoreh on February 12, Kim Ha-neul’s father addressed reporters at the funeral, explaining, “I simply made a request for IVE’s Jang Wonyoung, whom Ha-neul loved, to visit. It was not a demand, but merely a heartfelt request.”

He further shared, “As a father, I wanted to give my child a chance to see Wonyoung, someone she deeply admired, even in the afterlife. But seeing articles describing it as a ‘controversial demand’ is truly unbearable.”

During a press conference earlier that day, he recalled, “Ha-neul once asked me to take her to an IVE concert if they ever performed in Daejeon. Her dream was Jang Wonyoung herself. I know she’s busy, but if possible, I hoped she could visit.”

Following this, debates arose online regarding whether Jang Wonyoung should personally attend the funeral. In response, the family felt the need to clarify their stance and prevent misunderstandings from spreading.

Meanwhile, on the same day, Hwang Sun-hong, head coach of the K League’s Daejeon Hana Citizen, personally visited the funeral home to offer his condolences. Kim Ha-neul, a passionate soccer fan, was an active supporter of the team, often attending matches with her father.

Her father is a devoted supporter of Daejeon Hana Citizen and a member of the fan club Daejeon Lovers under Utopia Daejeon. The father and daughter were well known among fellow supporters, frequently attending matches at Daejeon World Cup Stadium.

Daejeon Hana Citizen also paid tribute to Kim Ha-neul through an Instagram post on February 11, stating, “We deeply mourn the passing of Kim Ha-neul. Rest in peace, our shining star.” The team is reportedly considering a tribute to her during their home opener against Ulsan HD on February 23, according to E Daily.

Kim Ha-neul was tragically murdered on February 10 at an elementary school in Daejeon by a female teacher in her 40s. The perpetrator confessed that after finishing her after-school class, she lured the last remaining student into an audiovisual room under the pretense of giving a book before committing the crime.

An autopsy later confirmed that Kim’s cause of death was multiple sharp-force injuries. This type of injury is characterized by fatal wounds inflicted by a sharp object in multiple locations, leading to the victim’s passing.