Online frenzy over suspected motel killer turns Instagram account into twisted beauty pageant

A screenshot shows the Instagram account of a suspect identified only by the surname Kim in the Gangbuk motel murder case, as shared on an online community. [SCREEN CAPTURE]

The police kept her name out of the headlines, but the internet filled in the blanks anyway. After the suspect in the Gangbuk motel drug deaths case was doxed, an Instagram account believed to be hers rocketed toward 10,000 followers, drawing a mix of harassment and unsettling praise that turned an alleged crime scene into a twisted beauty pageant.

Online communities on Tuesday circulated what they claimed was an Instagram account belonging to the suspect of an alleged double homicide, identified only by her surname Kim. The account has about 9,000 followers, up nearly 40-fold from roughly 200 about 10 days ago.

Kim was handed over to prosecutors last Thursday on charges including murder, aggravated injury and violations of the Narcotics Control Act, according to the Seoul Gangbuk Police Precinct Monday. Kim allegedly gave drinks laced with benzodiazepines to three men at motels in and around Gangbuk District, northern Seoul, on three occasions — Dec. 14, Jan. 28 and Feb. 9 — killing two and injuring one
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Kim claims that she gave the men drinks laced with drugs to make them fall asleep after a dispute with the victims.

Police administered a psychopathy assessment of Kim and are awaiting the results. After an internal review, they decided not to disclose Kim’s identity.

Under the Act on the Disclosure of Personal Information of Specific Serious Crime Suspects, investigators may disclose a suspect’s name, age and face only under strict conditions, including when there is sufficient evidence and when disclosure serves the public interest, such as protecting the public’s right to know or preventing repeat offenses.

Police decided the case did not meet the threshold for convening a deliberation committee on public disclosure because it was difficult to say the legal criteria, including the brutality of the method used, were satisfied.

A woman suspected of giving a drug-laced drink that led to another person’s death at a motel in Gangbuk District, southern Seoul, attends a warrant review hearing at the Seoul Northern District Court in Dobong District, southern Seoul, on Feb. 12. [NEWS1]

After police opted not to release Kim’s identity, her personal information spread online anyway. A post uploaded Friday to one online community, titled “Gangbuk motel murder suspect identity revealed” (translated), included details such as her name, age, photo and even her high school.

The post had been viewed about 160,000 times as of 4 p.m. Monday. Other online communities also shared the suspect’s social media accounts, and more than 1,800 comments, including profanity and harassment, were posted on one of the accounts.

Alongside the backlash, some comments defended her based on her appearance, including remarks such as “Pretty, so not guilty,” “She should get a lighter sentence,” “I can fix her” and “I’m on your side.”

Experts pointed to hybristophilia, a phenomenon in which some people feel attraction toward violent criminals, warning that admiration for a suspect’s looks or image can distort public perceptions and spread in online spaces.

The account also contained posts that raised suspicions that she continued looking for future targets even after the incidents.

On the day the second victim died, Kim posted a selfie taken while lying down and added hashtags such as “#welcomefollowers” and “#followforfollow,” prompting speculation that she may have been trying to stay in contact with an unspecified number of people while planning additional crimes.

This article was originally written in Korean and translated by a bilingual reporter with the help of generative AI tools. It was then edited by a native English-speaking editor. All AI-assisted translations are reviewed and refined by our newsroom.

BY KIM CHANG-YONG, SHIN HYE-YEON [[email protected]]