South Korean singer Wheesung has been found dead at his home in Seoul at the age of 43.
The singer, real name Choi Whee-sung, was found in a state of a cardiac arrest with authorities saying a “significant amount of time” had passed before his body had been found.
They added that there were no signs of foul play at the scene.
“Artist Wheesung has left us,” his management agency Tajoy Entertainment confirmed, describing their staff and colleagues as being “in deep sorrow” over the death.
According to local media, the singer was found unconscious in his apartment on Monday night by emergency responders after his mother called for help.
He had been scheduled to hold a concert alongside artist KCM this weekend in the city of Daegu.
In his final social media post, Wheesung announced the upcoming concert and wrote: ‘Weight loss completed. See you on March 15.’
Wheesung was hugely popular was in the 2000s and had been credited for bringing R&B to South Korea.
He had initially started his career in 1997 as a member of a back dancing team ING.
The singer had a string of hits in South Korea, including a cover of Craig David’s Insomnia.
Tributes poured in for the singer, with rapper Verbal Jint writing: ‘Every moment we shared was an honor, and I’m grateful. You’ve worked so hard, rest in peace, Wheesung.’
While singer Yoon Min-soo wrote: ‘Wheesung, let’s sing and make music freely in that place. I won’t forget your pure and clear heart.’
Rapper Paloalto added: ‘It’s shocking and sad. I’m thankful for the music that accompanied me through the good memories of my youth.’
Wheesung faced a difficult time inhis career after being accused of abusing propofol in 2021.
The singer pleaded guilty and received a sentence of one year in prison, probation for two years, 40 hours of community service, and 40 hours of drug treatment lectures
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