Wheesung: The king of RnB helped IU become a star, just died at the age of 43, suspected of drug shock

Wheesung is known as one of the prominent male idols of the 2nd generation of Kpop, starting his music career as a member of the boy group A4. He has just suddenly passed away at his home.

Choi Whee-sung, born February 5, 1982, better known by his stage name Wheesung or Realslow, is a South Korean R&B singer, record producer, and musical theater actor. He is also known to music fans as the "King of R&B".

In 1997, Wheesung started his career as a member of the backup dance group ING. In 1999, he debuted with the South Korean boy band A4 but left after the group released its first album. He cited musical differences between the other members as the reason.

In 2000, Wheesung signed with M Boat, a subsidiary of YG Entertainment. He spent several years training as a vocalist under the label and released his first solo album, "Like A Movie," in 2002. In 2003, the singer released his second album, It's Real.

In 2006, Wheesung left YG Entertainment after his contract expired in March. He signed a new contract worth an estimated 1.5 billion won with Orange Shock Agency. He then continued his solo career and collaborated with many famous artists. He also participated in music production and acted in musicals, proving his diverse talents.

In late 2008, Wheesung collaborated again with Lee Hyori. By 2009, the singer planned to collaborate with Lee Hyun-do to produce a new album, the release date of which was set for August of the same year.

In April 2009, Wheesung was announced as the MC of a new Mnet variety show called "Pre Star-1 Show". This show provides an opportunity for new talented singers to introduce themselves, a platform for them to reach more fans.

Wheesung then attended several K-pop concerts in Los Angeles, California, including the Hollywood Bowl and the Victory Concert. On June 19, 2009, the singer and Lena Park held a concert at the Los Angeles - Disney Concert Hall.

Wheesung then changed his management company from Orange Shock to POP/UP Entertainment, which houses stars like JK Kim Dong Wook and the group M to M. In 2011, he moved to Tae Jin Ah's YMC Entertainment. Shortly after joining the company, the singer recruited female singer Ailee.

On November 7 of the same year, Wheesung enlisted in the military and served 21 months in the army after completing a five-week basic training course at a training camp in Nonsan, South Chungcheong Province. On July 11, 2012, the singer was granted a nine-night, ten-day leave from the military to undergo surgery for a herniated disc as well as other medical conditions such as bilateral shoulder dislocations, psoriasis, and hair loss. He was discharged on August 9, 2013.

Also that year, Wheesung was accused of using propofol from 2011 to early 2013 at various places, including dermatology clinics in Gangnam, Seoul. The singer claimed to have used it to treat herniated discs and hair loss. The court later cleared him of the charges.

In 2017, Wheesung parted ways with YMC Entertainment after his contract with the agency ended. The singer established an independent record label called Realslow Company with the goal of developing R&B music in Korea and announced that he would promote under the stage name Realslow.

Not only has Wheesung developed his personal career well, he is also known as the person who helped IU shine and become a star in one step. When they first met when IU was still an 8th grader, the male singer soon saw her great potential. He was the one who taught IU how to play the guitar, so now the image of the female singer with a guitar and an angelic voice has become an icon in the hearts of many fans.

On March 31, 2020, Wheesung was found unconscious in the restroom of a shopping mall in Seoul after using Etomidate. A black bag containing four syringes and five vials of white medication was found next to the singer. Not classified as a narcotic in South Korea, the police released him.

Wheesung was then indicted for habitually purchasing and using the stimulant propofol in 2019. At the first trial on January 19, 2021, prosecutors at the Daegu District Court requested a three-year prison sentence for the singer. He eventually pleaded guilty and was sentenced to one year in prison, two years of probation, 40 hours of community service, and 40 hours of drug treatment education.

Caught up in legal trouble, KBS ordered Wheesung to be "banned from the airwaves". Since then, the male singer has had no significant musical activities. In 2023, the male singer held a concert to celebrate his 20th anniversary but did not make a splash. In the past two years, the "R&B king" has often performed on small and medium-sized stages.

On March 10, Wheesung was found dead at his home at the age of 43. Initially, the police considered the possibility that the 43-year-old singer had chosen extreme measures or overdosed on drugs. Authorities said there were no signs of forced entry.

On the morning of March 12, Chosun Ilbo reported that authorities discovered a syringe next to Wheesung during the crime scene investigation. A representative from the National Forensic Service of Korea said that they had conducted an autopsy on the singer to clarify the suspicion of using illegal substances, and to determine whether the substance he used was prohibited or not. The police cautiously issued a statement: "We cannot reveal anything else because the investigation is still ongoing."

Wheesung's family representative revealed that the singer's funeral will be held at Samsung Seoul Hospital Funeral Home in 2 days. And his farewell ceremony will take place on March 16. The family plans to bury the "R&B king" at Gwangneung Cemetery Park.

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