Suspect in South Korea poisoning case attracts online support after glamorous photos emerge

A 22-year-old woman has been arrested in connection with a suspected serial poisoning case in Seoul, where two men died and another was injured after allegedly being drugged in hotel rooms.

Police said the suspect, surnamed Kim, lured three men in their 20s to short-stay hotels since December, where she allegedly spiked their drinks with benzodiazepine-based substances, resulting in two deaths.

Investigators also found searches on her phone about lethal dosages of sleeping pills and ways to evade responsibility, some of which were made using ChatGPT.

The case has sparked controversy after what appeared to be the suspect’s Instagram photos circulated online. Her follower count reportedly increased more than 50-fold within days, with some users posting supportive comments such as “being pretty is not a crime” and calling for leniency.

Experts warned the reaction may be linked to Hybristophilia — a phenomenon where individuals develop a fascination with or attraction to offenders. They cautioned that glorifying suspects online could reinforce harmful values and potentially encourage copycat behavior.

Local reports also said the suspect continued posting selfies and using hashtags to attract followers, even on the day of the second victim’s death. This has raised concerns that she may have been seeking additional targets online.