South Korean singer Wheesung, known for his soulful ballads and songwriting contributions to K-pop, was found dead in his home on March 10 at the age of 43, according to authorities. His agency, TAJOY Entertainment, confirmed the news in an official statement, expressing grief over the sudden loss of the veteran artist.
Emergency responders arrived at Wheesung's residence in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, at approximately 6:29 p.m. local time after receiving a report from his family. Despite their efforts, he was pronounced dead at the scene. Authorities are currently investigating the cause of death, with police noting that a significant amount of time had likely passed before he was found.
In a statement released following his death, TAJOY Entertainment said, "On March 10, our artist Wheesung left us. He was found in his home in a state of cardiac arrest and passed away. Our company's artist and executives are mourning alongside the deceased's family." The agency requested that the public refrain from spreading speculative rumors and assured that details regarding funeral arrangements would be announced later.
Police have ruled out foul play, confirming there were no signs of external intrusion. However, they are investigating the possibility of an overdose or suicide. Officials are also determining whether a will was left and examining the circumstances leading up to his passing.
The news comes as a shock to fans and the South Korean entertainment industry, especially since Wheesung was scheduled to hold a joint concert with singer KCM at the Daegu EXCO Auditorium on March 15. Just days before his death, he posted on social media with the caption, "See you on March 15th when the diet is over," indicating no apparent signs of distress.
Wheesung, whose real name was Choi Wheesung, debuted in 2002 with his album Like a Movie and quickly rose to fame with hit songs such as Can't I?, With Me, and One Year. His powerful vocals and emotionally charged performances earned him a dedicated fan base, and he remained a respected figure in the industry for over two decades.
Beyond his solo career, Wheesung was a prolific lyricist, contributing to hit songs for major K-pop artists, including Younha's Password 486, Lee Hyori's HEY MR. BIG, T-ara's Crazy Because of You, Orange Caramel's Magic Girl, TWICE's Dance The Night Away, Ivy's Sonata of Temptation, and Ailee's Heaven.
However, Wheesung's career faced turbulence in later years. In 2021, he was sentenced to one year in prison with two years of probation after being convicted of illegally administering propofol, a psychotropic sleep anesthetic. The court found that he had purchased 3,910 ml of propofol for 6.5 million won and used it on 11 occasions between September and November 2019.
In March and April 2020, he was found unconscious on two separate occasions after injecting etomidate, another anesthetic with effects similar to propofol. While etomidate was not classified as a narcotic at the time, South Korea's Ministry of Food and Drug Safety announced in February that the substance would be classified as a psychotropic drug under new regulations.
