Music industry mourns after singer dies amidst his prime
By
Danielle F.
- Replies 10
The entertainment industry mourns as it has lost a distinct voice.
This singer brought Asian entertainment to the global spotlight, and his passing sent shockwaves globally.
Tributes flowed in for Choi Whee-Sung, professionally known as Wheesung, who died at 43 years old.
Wheesung's passing was poignant news, given his influential role in the South Korean music scene.
Wheesung's body was discovered in his apartment located in Seoul's Gwangjin-gu district after his mother called emergency services.
The Seoul Metropolitan Police found him in a state of cardiac arrest.
While the exact time of his passing remained unclear, authorities reported that a significant amount of time had elapsed before he was found.
They also indicated that there were no signs of foul play.
However, they have already started an investigation into the cause of his death.
Wheesung jump-started his career in 2002 with his soulful vocals and emotive performances onstage.
He quickly became a household name in the industry and rose to fame soon after.
Wheesung was widely credited for popularising R&B within the South Korean music industry.
Wheesung eventually became an iconic R&B icon among international fans.
Beyond his successful career, Wheesung became a mentor and a vocal coach to many up-and-coming South Korean pop stars.
He shared his expertise and passion for music with the next generation of stars in the country.
Despite the glitz and glamour, Wheesung's life was not without its struggles.
Wheesung faced several controversies over the years.
He was found unconscious on two separate occasions in 2020 due to the use of sleep-inducing drugs.
A year later, Wheesung faced a two-year suspension sentence for substance abuse with the powerful anaesthetic Propofol.
These incidents painted a complex picture of a man grappling with the pressures of fame and personal challenges.
Watch Wheesung's live performance of one of his hits, 'With Me', here:
Source: ONSTAGE/YouTube
His sudden death came as a shock to many of his fans.
Prior to his passing, he was scheduled to perform in a concert this weekend alongside ballad singer KCM.
It also came on the heels of another tragic loss in the South Korean entertainment industry, with the recent passing of 24-year-old actress Kim Sae-Ron.
Fellow artists quickly expressed their sorrow towards Wheesung's passing.
Musician Yoon Min-Soo took to social media to share a touching tribute to the singer.
'Wheesung, let's sing and make music freely in that place. I won't forget your pure and clear heart. Let's meet again someday and sing together,' Min-soo wrote.
South Korean rapper Verbal Jint also shared his tribute to the late singer.
'Every moment we shared was an honour, and I'm grateful. You've worked so hard, rest in peace, Wheesung,' Verbal Jint shared.
Wheesung's death was a stark reminder of the fragility of life and the pressures that often accompany a public life.
As we take a look at Wheesung's contributions to South Korean popular culture, we should be mindful of the human behind their public persona.
We offer our sincerest condolences to Wheesung's family and supporters during this difficult time.
May he rest in peace.
If you or someone you know needs help during a mental health crisis, Lifeline Australia is open 24/7 through their hotline, 13 11 14.
This singer brought Asian entertainment to the global spotlight, and his passing sent shockwaves globally.
Tributes flowed in for Choi Whee-Sung, professionally known as Wheesung, who died at 43 years old.
Wheesung's passing was poignant news, given his influential role in the South Korean music scene.
Wheesung's body was discovered in his apartment located in Seoul's Gwangjin-gu district after his mother called emergency services.
The Seoul Metropolitan Police found him in a state of cardiac arrest.
While the exact time of his passing remained unclear, authorities reported that a significant amount of time had elapsed before he was found.
They also indicated that there were no signs of foul play.
However, they have already started an investigation into the cause of his death.
Wheesung jump-started his career in 2002 with his soulful vocals and emotive performances onstage.
He quickly became a household name in the industry and rose to fame soon after.
Wheesung was widely credited for popularising R&B within the South Korean music industry.
Wheesung eventually became an iconic R&B icon among international fans.
Beyond his successful career, Wheesung became a mentor and a vocal coach to many up-and-coming South Korean pop stars.
He shared his expertise and passion for music with the next generation of stars in the country.
Despite the glitz and glamour, Wheesung's life was not without its struggles.
Wheesung faced several controversies over the years.
He was found unconscious on two separate occasions in 2020 due to the use of sleep-inducing drugs.
A year later, Wheesung faced a two-year suspension sentence for substance abuse with the powerful anaesthetic Propofol.
These incidents painted a complex picture of a man grappling with the pressures of fame and personal challenges.
Watch Wheesung's live performance of one of his hits, 'With Me', here:
Source: ONSTAGE/YouTube
His sudden death came as a shock to many of his fans.
Prior to his passing, he was scheduled to perform in a concert this weekend alongside ballad singer KCM.
It also came on the heels of another tragic loss in the South Korean entertainment industry, with the recent passing of 24-year-old actress Kim Sae-Ron.
Fellow artists quickly expressed their sorrow towards Wheesung's passing.
Musician Yoon Min-Soo took to social media to share a touching tribute to the singer.
'Wheesung, let's sing and make music freely in that place. I won't forget your pure and clear heart. Let's meet again someday and sing together,' Min-soo wrote.
South Korean rapper Verbal Jint also shared his tribute to the late singer.
'Every moment we shared was an honour, and I'm grateful. You've worked so hard, rest in peace, Wheesung,' Verbal Jint shared.
Wheesung's death was a stark reminder of the fragility of life and the pressures that often accompany a public life.
As we take a look at Wheesung's contributions to South Korean popular culture, we should be mindful of the human behind their public persona.
Key Takeaways
- South Korean singer Choi Whee-Sung, also known as Wheesung, was found dead in his home.
- He was found in a state of cardiac arrest, and officials suspected no foul play in his passing.
- Wheesung was a popular figure in the South Korean entertainment industry and heavily contributed to the growth of R&B music in the country.
- His colleagues and fans paid tribute to his life by sharing messages and videos of Wheesung on social media.
May he rest in peace.
If you or someone you know needs help during a mental health crisis, Lifeline Australia is open 24/7 through their hotline, 13 11 14.