On September 7th, a netizen made a post on an online community, saying “Kim Hieora is not an iljin (bully) or a school violence perpetrator”.
Introduced herself, the netizen said, “I’m the same age as Kim Hieora. We were in the same class in high school although I was not very close to her”, and emphasized that she wanted to explain misunderstandings about Kim Hieora.
She recalled, “Kim Hieora was called ‘Eora’ among us and was a very famous kid in Wonju but not for being an iljin. She was famous for her unique dressing style and singing skills. She just stood out among those of the same age”.
The classmate then revealed how she met Kim Hieora during the third grade of middle school, saying, “We studied together at an academy. Kim Hieora approached me first and kindly greeted, ‘I’m also from the countryside’. Maybe it was because there was no other girl on the academy’s bus. However, I still remember that I was wondering why a pretty girl came and talked to me”.
According to the classmate, the two met again in high school and Kim Hieora was the only person who talked to her at the cafeteria. She added, “Kim Hieora asked why I always ate alone. I’ve been remembering her as a savior of my life”, adding “There were classmates who stole my phone and wrote text messages as a joke, but Eora never did such things”.
Showing support for Kim Hieora, the classmate said, “Eora, if you see this post I just want to say ‘Be strong!’. I don’t know how all these things happened but you were a precious friend, someone I appreciate a lot. You took great care of others and were passionate about acting more than anyone else. I don’t think the rumors are true so I make this post”.
She also posted a Cyworld group photo taken with Kim Hieora in high school to prove that they were classmates.
Lastly, the classmate said, “She hung out with some friends in a group called ‘XX Fam’, but it was not like an iljin gang. If she were an iljin, she wouldn’t have helped an introverted friend like me. When we were studying at the academy, she always talked 1:1 to me cheerfully. The bullying rumors don’t make sense to me at all”.
In response to the post, netizens commented, “There are no disclosures from victims. They all say she was a pretty and funny kid”, “Looking at numerous comments defending her, I think she was a kind student”, “I think she was just a bystander back then”, “It’s true that she hung out with many friends, but I don’t think there was something like school violence. The rumor seems to be an exaggeration”, etc.
Source: Nate