The South Korean singer-songwriter Wheesung, who popularized R&B track within the nation however had documented struggles with drug abuse, was once discovered lifeless in his house in Seoul on Monday night, police mentioned. He was once 43.
Fireplace division officers discovered the singer, whose start identify was once Choi Whee-sung, in a state of cardiac arrest in his condo round 6:30 p.m. on Monday. An officer at Seoul Gwangjin Police Station mentioned there was once no proof of a break-in or foul play, and that the government had been investigating the opportunity of a drug overdose.
The dying is the newest in a string of tragedies to strike the rustic’s booming leisure trade. A number of South Korean celebrities have died together with Kim Sae-ron, a tender actress who was once discovered lifeless at her house a couple of weeks in the past. Police dominated Ms. Kim’s dying a suicide.
Mr. Choi, who additionally went by way of Realslow, started his profession in 2002 with the album “Like a Film” and temporarily won essential and fashionable acclaim, profitable a number of South Korean track awards in the similar yr. `
He launched round a dozen albums and in addition starred in musicals, taking part in iconic roles together with Zorro and Elvis Presley. Mr. Choi additionally helped write track for a few of South Korea’s maximum a hit Ok-pop bands, together with Two times and Tremendous Junior.
His profession suffered a setback in 2021, after he was once discovered accountable of buying and the usage of propofol, an impressive sedative that may be a managed substance in South Korea, on a number of events. He gained a suspended sentence of 1 yr in jail, fending off prison time at the situation that he didn’t reoffend. He was once additionally fined 60.5 million received (round $41,000), ordered to accomplish neighborhood provider, and go through drug remedy.
With the drug price, Mr. Choi got here below scrutiny from the media and confronted harsh public grievance, with some other folks posting hateful feedback on-line. In South Korea, the social status of celebrities most often hinges on having a blemish-free recognition and innocent persona.
Singers in South Korea posted tributes in honor of Wheesung on their social media accounts. “His track was once a large a part of my 20s,” the rapper Paloalto wrote on Instagram together with an image of Mr. Choi’s first album quilt. “Thanks for being there with me.”
Wheesung were scheduled to accomplish on March 15 with the singer KCM in Daegu, a town within the nation’s south.
Tajoy Leisure, the corporate that controlled Wheesung, didn’t straight away reply to a request for remark.
In case you are having ideas of suicide, name or textual content 988 to succeed in the 988 Suicide and Disaster Lifeline or move to SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for an inventory of extra sources.
In South Korea, name 109 for the well being ministry’s suicide prevention hotline, or discuss with the Korean-language website 129.go.kr/109.
