[Sportschosun reporter Jang Jong-ho] A cheerleader for a Taiwanese professional baseball team has been left in shock after being attacked with a knife by a male fan.
She suffered a stab wound to the neck and is currently hospitalized after emergency surgery.
According to local media including ETtoday, Wonwon, 28, whose real name is Wang Jing-wen and a member of the cheerleading team for Taiwan's professional baseball club CTBC Brothers, was injured in the neck on the 20th when a 52-year-old man surnamed Xu attacked her with a weapon during a studio photo shoot. She was rushed to a hospital, underwent emergency surgery, and is reportedly in a condition that does not threaten her life. The wound is said to measure 6 by 4 cm.
Initial investigations found that Xu had prepared a kitchen knife about 9 cm long before attending the event and carried out the attack during Wonwon's solo photo session.
It was also revealed that he had stalked the victim for a long time and showed obsessive behavior through various posts and fan activities.
Before the attack, he had posted on social media that he had bought a large batch of CTBC Brothers cheerleading merchandise all at once.
In particular, he wrote about Wonwon, saying, "I have made you a promise for a long time," and added, "A promise is not just a promise, but a commitment that must be kept." He also posted messages to other members, including, "I bought all the merchandise, so can I join the event?" and "I will wear the items around my neck and wait for you to recognize me."
Among local baseball fans, Xu was known as the person who appeared at Wonwon's cheerleading events and filmed her while holding up a mobile phone.
Some fans called him "Wonwon ajusshi" or "Wonwon uncle."
He was also said to have shown obsessive behavior by buying large quantities of Wonwon-related photo books and cheering merchandise. At one point, he reportedly purchased about 100 photo books and several boxes of related goods in a single order.
Police are investigating Xu's exact motive and whether the attack was planned. In the aftermath, online communities in Taiwan and baseball fans have pointed to the case as a typical example of stalking and excessive fan obsession turning into a crime.
Jang Jong-ho, bellho@sportschosun.com
