Seoul: South Korean singer Wheesung, renowned for his soulful performances, was found dead at his Seoul residence, police said Monday. He was 43.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the cause of death has not yet been determined, but police stated there were no signs of foul play. “Artist Wheesung has left us. He was found in cardiac arrest at his residence and was later pronounced dead,” Tajoy Entertainment announced, expressing that agency staff and colleagues were “in deep sorrow.”
He was discovered unconscious in his apartment at 6:29 p.m. by emergency responders after his mother called for help, as reported by police and his management agency. He was scheduled to meet his manager earlier in the day, but couldn’t be reached. His mother, who lives in the same apartment building, went to check on him and discovered him unresponsive.
Since his singing debut in 2002, Wheesung rose to prominence with numerous hit songs, including “With Me” and a remake of Craig David’s “Insomnia,” as well as his notable lyrics. Music critic Lee Dae-hwa mentioned that the singer “played a key role in popularizing R and B music” in Korea during the 2000s.
Im Hee-yoon, another critic, also remarked that the artist “pioneered R and B that resonates in the country’s mainstream music industry,” adding that Wheesung was not only a talented singer but also “excelled in writing lyrics and composing music. He had a great sense for creating hit songs.”
However, his music career faced challenges in 2021 when he was convicted of habitual propofol use. He received a one-year prison sentence, suspended for two years. The artist had been set to perform alongside singer KCM in the southeastern city of Daegu on Saturday.