Wheesung, the South Korean R&B vocalist, producer, and songwriter, has passed away at 43.
Tajoy Entertainment, Wheesung's management agency, confirmed the news Tuesday, writing:
“We are deeply sorry to share such heartbreaking and tragic news. On 10 March, our beloved artist Wheesung passed away. He was found in a state of cardiac arrest at his home in Seoul and was subsequently pronounced deceased."
The singer, whose real name is Choi Whee-sung, was discovered unconscious in his apartment on Monday night after his mother alerted emergency services, according to reports. While police have found no indications of foul play, they noted that a "considerable amount of time" had passed before he was found. Local authorities have stated they will perform an autopsy to determine the cause of death.
Wheesung had been a beloved figure in South Korea's music scene since his debut in 2002. He gained widespread fame with songs like "With Me" and his popular rendition of Craig David’s "Insomnia." The singer had recently announced an upcoming concert, set to take place on March 15 in Daegu, alongside fellow artist KCM. His final social media post mentioned, “Weight loss completed. See you on March 15.”
The tragic news has added to growing concerns about the mental health struggles faced by South Korea's entertainment industry. Over the years, a number of K-pop stars have tragically passed away young, often due to the immense pressures of fame. Recently, actress Kim Sae-ron, aged 24, was found dead at home following a period of career struggles after a 2022 drunk-driving incident. Last year, actor Song Jae-lim died at 39, and in 2023, Moonbin, a member of the K-pop group Astro, was found dead at 25.
After Wheesung's passing, many artists expressed their grief, including Yoon Min Soo, who wrote on Instagram, "I won't forget your pure and clear heart. Let's meet again someday and sing together."
In a similar tribute, rapper Verbal Jint posted on social media, "Every moment we shared was an honor, and I'm grateful. You've worked so hard, rest in peace, Wheesung."
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