BTS arrive to pay respects to SHINee’s Jonghyun at three day funeral
Fellow K-pop band SHINee have arrived at the funeral for Jonghyun.
The septet were filmed arriving at the funeral hall at the Asan Medical Center in Seoul, and were reportedly among some of the first to pay their respects, despite not being an SM Entertainment band – they are said to be very close friends with the SHINee members.
Other K-Pop groups Girls’ Generation, NCT, and BoA were also spotted coming to pay their respects. EXO is also reported to have visited the hall.
SHINee were not seen arriving, however, they will lead the official service as Jonghyun’s closed friends.
The BTS fandom, known as the ‘Army’ have been pledging their support for the SHINee fandom, ‘Shawols’ in the wake of the singer’s death.
One fan wrote: ‘Bangtan (BTS) have come to visit Jonghyun’s funeral hall. We as ARMYs should show our respects and supports too towards Shinee and Shawols.’
It was reported that 500 fans queued to mourn at the funeral hall, which was filled with flowers and photographs of the late singer. The main funeral service will be held on December 21, and will be a ‘quiet’ affair as requested by his family.
Onew, Key, Minho, and Taemin will take on the role of sang joo, or ‘chief mourners’ at the funeral, usually performed by closest relatives, as they were as close as brothers having spent 10 years in the group.
The K-pop idol, real name Kim Jong-hyun, took his own life at the age of 27 on 18 December. According to Reuters, police found Jonghyun unconscious in his apartment in Cheongdam-dong in the Gangnam district after his sister filed a police report concerned for his welfare.
He was taken to hospital after being found at 6.10pm Korea time on 18 December, but was pronounced dead. Police have ruled out an autopsy and will be closing their investigation after ruling Jonghyun’s death a suicide.
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