Authorities revealed that the beloved singer, discovered in a dire state of cardiac arrest, faced a harrowing delay before his lifeless body was found, emphasizing that no foul play was evident at the scene. Known by his stage name Wheesung, or Choi Whee-sung in real life, he burst onto the scene in 2002 with his soul-stirring vocals, swiftly etching his name in the hearts of many. A pioneering force behind the popularization of R&B in South Korea during the 2000s, Wheesung's influence was profound.
Over the years, he transformed into a guiding light and esteemed vocal coach for numerous K-pop stars, even composing melodies for some of them. His collaborations were numerous, spanning across the globe, including esteemed stages in Hollywood. This weekend, he was poised to enchant audiences alongside ballad singer KCM in Daegu. His R&B ballads garnered accolades from seasoned Korean vocal legends such as Shin Seung-hun and Seo Tae-ji.
Yet, Wheesung's journey was not devoid of controversy. In 2021, he faced a two-year suspended sentence for abusing propofol, the potent anesthetic implicated in the tragic demise of Michael Jackson. Alarmingly, within the span of just a few days in March and April 2020, he was found unconscious twice, with syringes and vials containing etomidate, a sedative akin to propofol, by his side.
Upon news of his untimely demise, fellow artists poured out their heartfelt tributes. Singer Yoon Min-soo posted a poignant message along with a video of their duet, stating, "Wheesung, let's sing and create music freely in that realm. Your pure and transparent heart will forever remain etched in my memory." He added, "Let's reunite someday and harmonize together once more." Rapper Verbal Jint shared a solemn black square on Instagram, captioning it, "Every fleeting moment we shared was an honor, for which I am deeply grateful. You toiled tirelessly; rest in eternal peace, Wheesung."
