Police said the South Korean singer and lyricist Wheesung found R&B music in the country at his home in Seoul on Monday night but documented the struggle for drug abuse. He is 43 years old.
Fire department officials found the singer was in his apartment around 6:30 p.m. Monday, with his last name Choi Whee-Sung. An official from the Gwangjin police station in Seoul said there was no evidence of breaking into or foul and that authorities were investigating the possibility of drug overdose.
Death is the latest in a series of tragedies to attack the country's booming entertainment industry. Several young actress Kim Sae-Ron died and was found dead in her home a few weeks ago. Police ruled that Ms. Kim's death was suicide.
Mr Choi also participated in Realslow, and his career made a living in 2002 with “movie-like movies” and quickly won popular acclaim, winning several Korean music awards that same year. `
He released twelve albums and also starred in musicals, playing iconic characters including Zorro and Elvis Presley. Mr Choi also provided music for some of South Korea’s most successful K-Pop bands, including two times and Super Teenagers.
His career suffered setbacks in 2021 as he was convicted of buying and using propofol, a powerful sedative that is a controlled substance in South Korea. He was sentenced to one year in prison, avoiding the situation where he did not commit it again. He was also fined 60.5 million won (about $41,000) and was ordered to perform community services and receive medication.
Through drug charges, Mr Choi has been under scrutiny from the media and faces severe public criticism, with some posting hateful comments online. In Korea, the social status of celebrities often depends on flawless reputation and innocent roles.
Korean singers paid tribute to Wheesung on their social media accounts. “His music is a big part of my 20s,” rapper Paloalto wrote on Instagram. “Thank you for being with me.”
Wheesung is scheduled to perform on March 15 with singer KCM from Daegu, a southern city in the country.
Tajoy Entertainment, the company that manages Wheesung, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
If you have a thought of suicide, please call or text 988 to reach 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or go to showeofsuicide.com/resources A list of other resources.
In South Korea, please call 109 to get the Ministry of Health’s prevention hotline or visit the Korean website 129.go.kr/109.
