However, when NBC aired the broadcast, the report showed clips of BTS, not SHINee, mistaking band leader Kim Namjoon — better known as Rap Monster or RM — for Jonghyun.
“Just before his death…[he] recently appeared on the Ellen Show and the American Music Awards. Kim was 27 years old,” reported NBC, closing in on RM while in an interview with the rest of BTS.
Naturally, K-pop fans were outraged and went to Twitter to voice their disdain.
This is not only incorrect but disrespectful @nbcchicago. As reporters, you need to fact check everything. You disrespected SHINee and BTS at a time where people are grieving. Research before you assume only 1 kpop band exists. pic.twitter.com/9Y3J2jpsI3
You’re watched by hundreds of thousands of people and you broadcasted incorrect news, you’ve deeply disrespected Jonghyun, his family, & SHINee with this, not only was it very easy to Google who Jonghyun was, it was also all over Twitter, no excuses, apologize @nbcchicagopic.twitter.com/ECSLkm7syj
the fact you would inaccurately report the news of such a delicate situation by using the wrong band is infuriating. @nbcchicago please apologize for the false news report and for not only disrespecting jonghyun and shinee but also namjoon and bts. please do your job properly
Hello @nbcchicago, I don’t want to misunderstand anything but were you referring to the VCR with your caption….? Because it is VERY confusing. It seems like the caption is referring to the VCR and it’s very disrespectful to 고故Jonghyun and his family. https://t.co/OW8edBa9X9
Now what?
Was it a mistake @nbcchicago ?
How could it be a mistake?
U should apologize.
You broadcasted and posted same death news with two different pictures of two different person?
Its disrespectful, so apologize.#NBCChicagoApologizepic.twitter.com/5PtgJ6k0n3
the news already aired only way to fix it is by announcing on your channel that you made a mistake you showed BTS instead of SHINee Jonghyun is a member from SHINee not BTS get your facts straight before spreading a crucial news @nbcchicago #NBCChicagoApologize
Hello @nbcchicago i kindly demand an apologize and explanation over this news. This is extremely disrespectful to people who have been grieving over Jonghyun and also to RM and BTS. We’ll be waiting for your response. https://t.co/mDBS9mo65B
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