On Saturday, March 15, 2025, fans were expected to experience the music of Wheesung, who had returned to the stage after a long time. However, Wheesung is not with his loved ones. Fans, facing him not on stage but in a bright smile within a portrait, are unable to hold back the tears streaming down their faces.
Wheesung debuted in 2002 with his first studio album 'Like A Movie' and received widespread love from people of all ages with numerous hit songs including 'Can't You', 'Untold Story', 'With Me', 'The Day We Meet Again', 'In A Year', 'I'm Missing You', 'I Even Thought About Marriage', 'A Heart-Wrenching Story', 'A Masterpiece Called You', 'Incurable Disease', 'Drip', and 'Love Is Delicious'.
Additionally, he showcased his talents as a lyricist and composer for several artists' albums, including Gummy, Ailee, Ali, Wax, and TWICE. As a leading R&B artist in Korea and a trusted singer-songwriter, Wheesung created numerous beloved songs throughout the nation. He also once actively performed as a musical actor, proving his diverse talents.
However, in 2020, he was found collapsed after being administered a sleep anesthetic and was subjected to a police investigation. He was indicted on charges of purchasing and habitually administering propofol 12 times over three months since September 2019, receiving a sentence of one year in prison, two years of probation, a surcharge of 60.5 million won, 40 hours of community service, and 40 hours of drug treatment lectures.
For those who love Wheesung's music, there was no greater shock. In response, Wheesung held a Christmas concert in December 2021, just two months after the sentencing, and aimed to repay through music by participating in drama soundtracks and more. He showed his fight against depression through a 20th anniversary fan meeting and concert.
In February, he held a birthday commemorative solo fan meeting 'Happy Whee's Day', which sold out immediately upon ticket opening, showcasing his continued popularity. Then, on March 15, he was set to hold a joint concert titled 'The Story' with singer KCM at the Daegu EXCO auditorium.
However, on the 10th, just five days before the performance, Wheesung was found in cardiac arrest at his home in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul. He was 43 years old. On the morning of the 12th, an autopsy on Wheesung's body was conducted at the National Forensic Service (NFS), where the Gwangjin police received an initial opinion stating 'cause of death unknown.' It is expected to take about two weeks for the results of the detailed examination to come out.
Initially, Wheesung's family intended to hold a quiet funeral attended only by relatives without a mortuary, but it is reported that they changed their mind due to persuasion from fellow artists. The deceased's mortuary was set up at the Seoul Samsung Medical Center funeral hall on the 14th, and the funeral will take place on the 16th, with the burial site at Gwangneung Memorial Park.
The family stated, "We believe it is respectful to provide a time and place for many who have remembered and loved my brother to pay tribute to singer Wheesung and the person Choi Wheesung, so we wish to set up a mortuary, albeit late. Anyone who knew my brother, and anyone who has even a little happy memory from our brother's songs and music during his lifetime, please feel free to visit the mortuary without hesitation and help him not feel lonely on his journey."
If all had gone as planned, Wheesung would have been on stage today, the 15th, alongside KCM, facing the audience, but now he is not with his fans. Devastated fans are rushing to the mortuary, shedding tears in front of the deceased's portrait. Only Wheesung's bright smile in the portrait soothes the fans' sadness.
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