Singer Go (late) Hwi-sung has passed away, and the terrestrial music broadcasts that forgot to make a single memorial comment are adding to the sorrow of the news.

Singer Hwi-sung was found dead at home on the 10th. He was 43 years old. The exact cause of death is not yet known. The National Forensic Service reported in a preliminary examination that the cause is 'unknown.'

However, beyond the cause of death, the shock is spreading across the public, as Hwi-sung had been loved for various hit songs since his debut with his first full-length album 'Like A Movie' in 2002. It is difficult to count his hit songs, which are still loved today, with titles such as 'Can’t Do It', 'A Story That Cannot Be Told', 'In The Sky', 'With Me', 'The Day We Met Again', 'Beauty', 'Good-Bye Luv', 'If A Year Passes', 'I’m Missing You', 'I Thought About Marriage', 'A Heart-Wrenching Story', 'The Masterpiece You', 'Incurable Disease', 'Tears', 'Love Is Delicious', 'Insomnia', 'Love...That Terrible Disease'.

In particular, the deceased is highly regarded as a singer who led the popularization of the previously unfamiliar 'R&B' genre in South Korea. His second album 'It's Real' is considered one of the best albums, and the title track 'With Me' topped the charts for six consecutive weeks on terrestrial broadcasts and won the Grand Prize at the Golden Disc Awards, garnering explosive popularity.

Consequently, tributes followed in the entertainment industry. Shortly after the news of Hwi-sung's death broke, tributes poured in on social media, and within four days of his passing, fellow celebrities continuously visited the mortuary. Artists such as Lee Hyori, IU, Kim Taewoo of god, KCM, K.Will, Gummy, Lyn, Baby Vox's Shim Eun-jin and Lee Hee-jin, as well as Kan Mi-yeon and Kim I-ji, Song Baek-kyung from One Time, Lee Hyun-do from Duo, Naul from Brown Eyed Soul, Kim Bum-soo, Ha Dong-kyun, Ailee, Ali, Big Mama, MewGyu, and ICHILLIN visited the deceased's mortuary to express their condolences. BTS and TWICE also paid tribute with wreaths of condolence, bidding farewell to their senior in the music industry.

Tributes continued in the broadcasting world as well. On the day after the deceased's death, during the press conference for the new KBS 2TV entertainment program 'The Seasons - Park Bo-gum's Cantabile' held on the 11th, the host announcer Lee Ye-won stated, "Before we begin the event, there was unfortunate news regarding singer Hwi-sung," and expressed his condolences by saying, "I sincerely pay my respects while remembering his wonderful music."

On the next day, the 12th, during the SBS MTV music program 'Show Champion' that aired, there was a time dedicated to remembering Hwi-sung, where all cast members gathered at the end of the broadcast. On the 13th, during the Mnet music program 'M Countdown', the MC stated, "Not long ago, we heard unfortunate news. We extend our deepest condolences to the one who has comforted music fans with warm voices and songs, and we sincerely pray for the deceased's peace."

However, there was no mention of the deceased in the terrestrial music broadcasts where Hwi-sung had appeared most frequently throughout his 23-year career as a singer. This includes the KBS 2TV music program 'Music Bank' that aired on the 14th when the mortuary was set up, as well as the MBC music program 'Show! Music Core' that aired on the 15th, when Hwi-sung was supposed to hold a concert if he were alive. There wasn't even a single line of subtitle.

Given that Hwi-sung had been embroiled in controversy over the use of propofol during his lifetime, the possibility of being on the broadcast ban list of certain broadcasting stations cannot be overlooked. However, it is hard to logically understand that this would take precedence over the duty of memorializing the deceased. The very first music program where Hwi-sung reached his first No. 1 spot through 'Can’t Do It' was 'Music Camp,' the predecessor of 'Show! Music Core.' His tearful reaction to winning was so memorable that it is still talked about.

Last year, after the actor Kim Su-mi passed away, various film festivals and award ceremonies were divided into those that remembered her and those that did not. The same applies to Hwi-sung. As he had shown passion for popular music until the very end to perform a concert, a minimum of condolence was necessary, even beyond past controversies. It would be unacceptable for those working in the content industry, profiting from public empathy, to lose that sense of solidarity.

[Photo] OSEN DB

[OSEN = Reporter Yeon Hwi-seon]