In a deeply tragic incident, a 13-year-old girl lost her life as a result of an escalating conflict with her father, rooted in her intense obsession with the K-Pop group EXO. The heartbreaking chain of events began in November 2013 in China, when her growing fixation on the idol group began to severely impact her studies and daily life.
As reported by India Times, her father, Zhou Kai, first became concerned when she refused to attend school over a missing pencil sharpener. His attempts to intervene revealed a deepening rift between them, as she became increasingly consumed by her devotion to EXO. Frustrated by her disengagement from school and constant online activity, Zhou confronted her, urging her to recognize the care and love of her parents over celebrities who, he argued, did not truly know her.
But his daughter’s response was sharp and painful. “I love them a thousand times more than I love you,” she declared, insisting her idols were far more meaningful to her than her own family. Overcome with emotion and anger, Zhou Kai retrieved a kitchen knife, intending only to scare her. But in a moment of uncontrollable rage, he stabbed her. He immediately attempted to take his own life in remorse. While Zhou survived and was hospitalized, his daughter tragically did not.
In court a year later, Zhou Kai admitted to the crime. His testimony revealed the fractured nature of their relationship, driven in part by her overwhelming devotion to the idol group. Her bedroom was filled with fan merchandise, and she spent most of her time managing fan activities online. She had also demanded large sums of money from her father to attend EXO’s concerts, unaware of the burden it placed on their family finances.
Zhou expressed deep sorrow over the situation, saying he felt helpless and heartbroken when he realized how far removed he had become in his daughter’s life. “When she said idols are better than all the parents like me… I couldn’t take it anymore,” he told the court, his words underscoring the devastating impact of unresolved family tension and unchecked obsession.
