Singer late Hwi-sung (real name Choi Hwi-sung) has entered eternal rest. While seniors and colleagues in the music industry visited the mortuary to bid farewell to the deceased in sorrow, the cold response from terrestrial music broadcasts has evoked disappointment.

On the afternoon of the 16th, SBS 'Inkigayo' was broadcast. On this broadcast, performances by Seventeen's Hoshi and Woozi, ITZY's Yuna, Red Velvet's Seulgi, SF9, Treasure, Le Sserafim, Jung Dong-won, Say My Name, Kim Ji-hyun, and others took place, and G-Dragon's 'TOO BAD' secured the number one spot for the third week of March.

However, on this day, after the number one announcement, there was not even a line to commemorate late Hwi-sung while the encore music played, which drew attention.

Late Hwi-sung passed away on the 10th at the age of 43. He was found dead at his home, and the cause of death has not been disclosed beyond the initial autopsy results suggesting 'cause unknown' as stated by the National Forensic Service.

The sudden news of his death plunged his family and the music industry into deep sorrow. Late Hwi-sung debuted in 2002 with his first regular album 'Like A Movie,' creating numerous hit songs and garnering public love. Amid the World Cup fever, his debut title track 'Is It Not Okay...' gained sensational popularity, and later, 'With Me' recorded number one on terrestrial music broadcasts for six consecutive weeks, propelling him to stardom. Following that, he solidified his reputation as a popular singer with various songs such as 'I'm Missing You', 'Incurable Disease', 'Good Bye Luv', 'In a Year', 'Insomnia', 'I Thought About Marriage', and 'Heart-Wrenching Story.'

In particular, Hwi-sung made significant contributions to popularizing the R&B genre, and his singing style remains an indispensable part of Korean pop music, being frequently parodied by numerous individuals, including stars.

In the wake of the news of late Hwi-sung's death, many who loved his music expressed shock and sorrow. Solar of Mamamoo, Seven, Ailee, Jessi, Hwanhee of Fly to the Sky, Ali, Kim Young-cheol, Jang Sung-kyu, Jung Ah of After School, Ok Joo-hyun, Yoon Min-soo, Ha Ri-su, Paloalto, San E, Lee Chang-min of 2AM, Jo Kwon, and others have posted tribute messages for several days following the news of his passing. Additionally, at the production briefing for KBS2's music variety 'The Seasons - Park Bo-gum's Cantabile' held the day after the news broke, KBS announcer Lee Ye-won mentioned, "Before we proceed with the event, there was unfortunate news about singer Hwi-sung" and expressed, "While remembering his wonderful music, I sincerely offer my condolences."

On the same evening, during the live broadcast of SBS M's music program 'The Show,' all the cast came together to pay their respects to Hwi-sung. On the 12th, at MBC M's 'Show Champion,' the cast also gathered to commemorate late Hwi-sung before the end of the broadcast. On Mnet's 'M Countdown,' the MC remarked, "Not long ago, we heard some unfortunate news. We express our deepest condolences and pray for the peaceful rest of the one who has comforted music fans with warm voices and songs," while MBC's 'Good Day' decided to delete all scenes of comedian Cho Sae-ho's imitation of late Hwi-sung's 'Is It Not Okay...' from both the main program and previews.

Meanwhile, a mortuary for late Hwi-sung was set up at Samsung Seoul Hospital at 11 a.m. on the 14th. Visitors included Lee Hyori, IU, Kim Tae-woo of g.o.d, KCM, K.Will, Gummy, Lyn, Baby V.O.X's Shim Eun-jin and Lee Hee-jin, as well as Kan Mi-yeon and Kim Ji-yi, One Time's Song Baek-kyung, Deux's Lee Hyun-do, Brown Eyed Soul's Naul, Kim Bum-soo, Ha Dong-kyun, Ailee, Ali, Big Mama, Mew, and ICHILLIN, who expressed their sadness at the late artist's mortuary. BTS and Twice sent wreaths of condolence to bid farewell to their fellow artist.

However, while mourners visited the deceased's mortuary with solemn hearts, KBS2's 'Music Bank' and MBC's 'Show! Music Core' contained no message to commemorate late Hwi-sung. In particular, on the morning of the 16th, many colleagues gathered as the deceased's funeral was held, but the SBS 'Inkigayo' broadcast that aired later that afternoon did not even mention the deceased in the subtitles. This behavior starkly contrasted with past instances where music broadcasts omitted encore stages to hold a moment of silence or included tribute messages or videos when another artist passed away.

Although late Hwi-sung had previously drawn controversy over propofol use allegations, reflecting on instances in previous award ceremonies where moral tribute messages were given regardless of the controversies during his lifetime makes the response from music broadcasts even more disappointing. Furthermore, considering that the place where late Hwi-sung achieved his first public broadcast number one was the predecessor to 'Music Core,' 'Music Camp,' and that he left a meaningful record of achieving number one for two consecutive weeks on ‘Inkigayo’ upon his debut, the attitudes of those who turned away from his final journey feel even colder.

Meanwhile, after finishing the funeral, late Hwi-sung was laid to rest at Gwangneung Memorial Park. After the funeral, his brother, Choi Hyuk-sung, a current physician, expressed with restrained grief, "There were many colleagues who were deeply self-blaming, and many fans who were very sad. However, we must acknowledge that there are parts we cannot help. I hope you do not blame yourselves too much. My brother's songs will remain. You can listen to them anytime you want, and they will always be by your side. To ensure my brother is not forgotten, I hope you will let the next generation hear singer Hwi-sung's music so he can be remembered and sung again."

[Photo] OSEN DB

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