Wheesung, the popular South Korean singer whose real name is Choi Whee-sung, has been found dead at the age of 43 in his home.
Reports indicate that his body was discovered “a significant amount of time” after his death, prompting ongoing investigations by authorities. Police in Seoul stated that Wheesung was found in a state of cardiac arrest, but they do not suspect any foul play in relation to his passing.
Emergency responders were called to his apartment in the Gwangjin-gu district of Seoul after concerns were raised by his mother when he failed to meet his manager for a scheduled meeting earlier in the day.
The investigation into his death is still underway.
Wheesung debuted in 2002, quickly gaining fame in South Korea for his distinctive soulful vocals. Throughout the 2000s, he played a significant role in popularizing R&B in the country and later became a mentor and vocal coach to many K-pop stars.
Interestingly, he was scheduled to perform this weekend in Daegu alongside ballad singer KCM.
Since the news of his passing broke, fellow artists have shared heartfelt tributes to the musician.
In recent years, Wheesung faced several controversies, including receiving a two-year suspended sentence in 2021 for abusing the potent anesthetic propofol. Additionally, he was found unconscious on two separate occasions in March and April of 2020 due to the use of sleep-inducing drugs.