Mystery Surrounds K-Pop Star's Death As Authorities Open Investigation
South Korean singer-songwriter Wheesung was reportedly found dead inside his home on Monday, prompting an investigation into whether his death was drug-related.
Emergency responders discovered Wheesung, whose real name was Choi Whee-sung, inside his apartment after he suffered cardiac arrest.
According to The New York Times, officials from the Seoul Gwangjin Police Station are now looking into the possibility of a drug overdose, given Wheesung's past struggles with substance abuse.
Wheesung was due to perform at a joint concert with fellow South Korean singer KCM on Saturday; the event has now been canceled. Just five days before the scheduled performance, on March 10, Wheesung was found in cardiac arrest at his home in Seoul. The sudden loss has sent shockwaves through the entertainment industry, with both fans and fellow artists mourning his passing.
In the wake of his death, an outpouring of grief has flooded social media, particularly in the comment sections of his music videos.
Fans have left heartfelt tributes, expressing their sorrow and appreciation for his contributions to music. One fan wrote, "I came to listen because I thought of you; may you rest in peace," as another expressed, "Your voice has always been in the memories of our love and separation."
Someone else said, "You have left, but I'm sure I'm not the only one who embarks on a journey of memories with your songs," and a fourth fan commented, "I sincerely hoped for your return to activity."
His career took a downward turn in September 2019, when Wheesung was implicated in purchasing propofol on 12 occasions over a three-month period, shocking the public when he was formally indicted the following year.
In March 2021, he was sentenced to one year in prison and two years of probation in his first trial. When he appealed the ruling in October of the same year, the court upheld the original sentence, which included a one-year prison term, two years of probation, a forfeiture of 60.5 million won, 40 hours of community service, and 40 hours of mandatory drug treatment education.
Following a period of self-reflection, Wheesung returned to music in 2022, contributing to the OST for the drama Sponsor, produced by Dramax and MBN. This marked the beginning of his comeback in the industry.
He resumed performances with a Christmas concert and continued engaging with fans through concerts and fan meetings, culminating in the 2023 Wheesung Family Gathering event in June 2023.
In December 2023, Wheesung opened up about his struggles. According to Chosun Biz, he shared, "It's been a while. I've been hiding at home due to severe mental distress."
Several months later, in May, he revealed plans for his next project, announcing that he was working on his first album, "REASLOW." "I'm making all tracks rated 19+. Currently, it's about 40% complete, and the release is targeted for this winter," he wrote, sparking interest in his return to the music scene.
Wheesung's death comes amid ongoing concerns about mental health and pressures in South Korea's entertainment industry. Recent deaths of young K-pop idols and K-drama stars have sparked discussions about the intense scrutiny and high expectations placed on public figures.
His passing follows a string of tragedies in the industry, including the deaths of South Korean actor Kim Sae-ron, who was found dead at her home last month at age 24, and K-drama actor Song Jae-lim, who died last November at age 39. ASTRO boy band member Moon Bin was 25 when he passed away last year, while K-pop singer and actress Sulli also died at 25 in 2019. Two years earlier, SHINee's Kim Jong-hyun was found dead at age 27.
KCM posted a photo of a white flower on his Instagram once the news broke, one of several tributes to Wheesung that flooded social media.
Singer Yoon Min-soo said that he and Wheesung will 'meet again and sing together again,' while musician and rapper Verbal Jint said the moments he spent with the 'One Year' singer 'were an honor."
Wheesung rose to fame in 2002 with the release of his debut album "Like a Movie," which earned critical acclaim and multiple awards. Over the years, he became a major figure in the K-Pop industry, releasing more than a dozen albums and writing songs for some of South Korea's biggest acts, including Twice and Super Junior.
His talents also extended to musical theater, where he took on roles such as Zorro and Elvis Presley.
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