K-Pop Singer Jonghyun Mistaken As BTS Member RM During NBC Chicago Report

NBC Chicago made a huge mistake during its live reporting of K-pop singer Jonghyun’s death.

During their telecast, the network showed a video of BTS member RM speaking with his band mates on the “Ellen Show.” The network also claimed that the K-Pop singer that passed away was just interviewed by Ellen DeGeneres.

However, 27-year-old SHINee member Kim Jonghyun, the lead singer of SHINee, was the one that passed away and not RM.

On Wednesday, NBC Chicago apologized for the multiple mistakes they committed during their broadcast. They also released a statement via Facebook alongside a video of Jonghyun with the members of SHINee.

However, fans of the Korean boy band couldn’t help but express their disappointment over the network’s huge error. Some even called the apology as an excuse for the network’s inability to check their facts. Others also noted that the network should’ve done research before airing their feature on the deceased singer.

Other fans also said that NBC Chicago’s reporting caused them to worry about their idol, RM. Some fans of BTS thought that the 23-year-old rapper also passed away.

Jonghyun passed away on Monday, Dec. 18, due to an apparent suicide. Following his death, his friend, Nain9, released the singer’s suicide note on social media.

“I am broken from inside. The depression that gnawed on me slowly has finally engulfed me entirely. I was so alone. The act of ending is difficult. I’ve lived until now because of that difficulty. Please tell me I did a good job. You’ve worked hard. You’ve really gone through a lot. Goodbye,” he wrote.

Jonghyun was found unconscious in a hotel room in South Korea. Multiple reports revealed that the singer may have died of carbon monoxide poisoning, also known as burning coal suicide. Too much exposure to carbon monoxide may result in hypoxia or the deprivation of oxygen.

If coal is burned within an enclosed area like an apartment or a vehicle, it could result in death. But as of late, Jonghyun’s toxicology reports have not yet been released.