Wheesung

Wheesung was born on February 5, 1982 in Seoul.{{cite web|last=Kim|first=I-seul|script-title=ko:[인터뷰] '올슉업' 휘성 "두 번째 도전, 이제는 상대배우가 눈에 보이네요"|url=http://newsculture.heraldcorp.com/sub_read.html?uid=83501|website=NewsCulture|publisher=Herald Corporation|date=June 21, 2016|access-date=October 13, 2016|language=ko}} His paternal grandfather was a dentist who fled from North Korea and financially supported his family until he fell ill with a chronic illness for several years. By the time Wheesung's father got married, they were almost penniless and Wheesung suffered financial hardships throughout childhood and school years.{{cite web|last1=Seo|first1=Byung-ki|script-title=ko:휘성ㆍ수애, 택시기사ㆍ수선공 아버지 "자랑스러워요"|url=https://m.entertain.naver.com/home/article/016/0000158791|website=Naver|publisher=Herald Corporation|date=December 24, 2004|language=ko}} He was an avid dancer in high school where he was part of a rock band named Zenesis, and began singing in his senior year.{{cite web|last1=Kim|first1=Krista|script-title=ko:[번역]This R&B is for 'real' 휘성, R&B 가수로 변신|url=http://news.naver.com/main/read.nhn?mode=LSD&mid=sec&sid1=108&oid=044&aid=0000037854|website=The Korea Herald|via=Naver|access-date=October 13, 2016|language=ko|date=October 29, 2003}} He graduated from Mapo High School and briefly attended classes in Ahyeon Polytechnic School as well, where he was a classmate with notable musicians such as Park Hyo-shin and Hwanhee from R&B duo Fly to the Sky.{{cite web|last1=Kim|first1=Eun-ae|script-title=ko:'주간아이돌' 휘성 "환희·박효신, 동갑내기 동창..각자 데뷔 준비"|url=https://www.chosun.com/site/data/html_dir/2018/01/24/2018012402610.html|website=The Chosun Ilbo|via=The Chosun Ilbo|language=ko|date=January 24, 2018}} He was also active in a hip-hop society called SNP, which contributed to the rise of early stage Korean hip-hop. Its members included hip-hop musicians such as Verbal Jint, P-Type and Jung-in.{{cite web|last1=Kim|first1=Young-dae|script-title=ko:한국형 R&B 보컬의 혁명 ‘휘성’|url=https://www.khan.co.kr/article/202503192123015|website=Kyunghyang Shinmun|via=Kyunghyang Shinmun|language=ko|date=March 19, 2025}}

After graduating from high school, he initially attended the Sun Moon University, under the journalism major but dropped out. Wheesung subsequently attended the Gukje Digital University and Kyung Hee University's Graduate School of Communication.{{cite web|url=http://people.search.naver.com/search.naver?sm=tab_txc&where=people_profile&ie=utf8&query=%ED%9C%98%EC%84%B1&os=158905|script-title=ko:휘성(최휘성) 가수|date=March 14, 2011|work=Naver 인물검색|language=ko|access-date=August 3, 2011|archive-date=October 6, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231006052142/http://people.search.naver.com/search.naver?sm=tab_txc&where=people_profile&ie=utf8&query=%ED%9C%98%EC%84%B1&os=158905|url-status=live}}

He started his career in 1997 as a member of a backup dance team ING.{{cite web|title=Artist of the week – Wheesung|url=https://www.soompi.com/2010/09/22/artist-of-the-week-wheesung-2/|website=soompi|access-date=March 13, 2018|language=en|date=September 22, 2010|archive-date=June 29, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180629102828/https://www.soompi.com/2010/09/22/artist-of-the-week-wheesung-2/|url-status=dead}}{{Unreliable source?|reason=See reliable sources list on WP:KO/RS|date=December 2024}} Wheesung began his career in 1999 with a short lived Korean boy group, A4. He left after the band's first album debut, citing musical differences between himself and the other members of the band. After that, he joined a rock band, MAME, as vocalist for a short while. He also participated in the MBC College Music Festival (MBC 강변가요제) in 2000.{{cite web|url= https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3QNhWf8Odw |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211213/g3QNhWf8Odw |archive-date=December 13, 2021 |url-status=live|script-title=ko:하늘에서..♬ 휘성, 담담하게 말하는 데뷔 전 가수의 꿈|date=May 16, 2018 |publisher=Channel A}}{{cbignore}}

In 2000, he signed onto M Boat, a former sister company to YG Entertainment. He underwent a few years of vocal training under the label and released his first solo album Like A Movie in 2002. The album achieved both public popularity and critical acclaim, receiving praises from many well-known artists including Seo Taiji and Shin Seung Hun. With his debut song, "Can't I(안 되나요)," he won multiple awards, including Golden Disc Awards, as the new artist of the year. In 2003, he released his second album, It's Real. It proved to be as popular as his first, making him the best selling artist of 2003 in Korea. With his second album, he broadened his scope to include various musical elements like pop and hip-hop on top of R&B and ballads.

Wheesung left YG Entertainment after his contract expired in March 2006. He signed a new contract that was reportedly worth 1.5 billion won with his new company Orange Shock Agency.{{citation needed|date=January 2023}}

Wheesung collaborated with many artists. In late 2008, Wheesung collaborated once again with Lee Hyori, who featured as his girlfriend in his music video of "별이 지다.." (Fading Star) from the "With All My Heart and Soul" album. In 2009, Wheesung planned to collaborate with producer Lee Hyun-do to produce a new album, with a release date being set for August 2009.{{citation needed|date=January 2023}} In the same year, he also made a big hit with "Insomnia(불면증)" after being requested to cover Insomnia by Craig David in Korean.

File:비욘드 더 드림 자선콘서트 - 휘성 02.jpg

In April 2009, Wheesung was announced as the MC of a new Mnet TV show called "Pre Star-1 Show". The show gave opportunities for new talented singers to introduce themselves, a platform for them to reach out to more fans. Every month about nine or ten teams will be introduced on Mnet.com and the team which receives most response from the netizens will be chosen onto the show. The chosen team/singer will also be given the chance to perform with popular stars.{{cite web|author=김윤희|url=http://www.heraldbiz.com/SITE/data/html_dir/2009/06/23/200906230462.asp|script-title=ko:[휘성의 가요클리닉]"내 경험 살려 될성부른 신인 발굴하겠다"|website=www.heraldbiz.com|access-date=June 24, 2009|archive-date=October 23, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091023083344/http://www.heraldbiz.com/SITE/data/html_dir/2009/06/23/200906230462.asp|url-status=dead}} Wheesung's 'Pre-Show 1 Show' started airing on April 24 on Mnet Cable Channel.

Wheesung had participated in several Kpop concerts in Los Angeles, California, including the Hollywood Bowl, and the Victory Concert. On June 19, 2009, Wheesung and Lena Park held a concert in Los Angeles Disney Concert Hall.{{citation needed|date=May 2021}} After the concert, Wheesung planned to stay in Los Angeles for a month to work on his new album with producer Lee Hyun-do. The new album will go back to the r&b/hiphop style similar to "With Me" and "Incurable Disease". On June 27 and July 4, Wheesung performed at "Insomnia Concert" and club Le Cercle in LA. On July 11, he performed at the HALO nightclub in Hollywood.

In June 2009, Wheesung changed his label again from Orange Shock to POP/UP Entertainment, which houses stars like JK Kim Dong Wook and group M to M.{{Cite web |url=https://v.daum.net/v/20090623160907868 |script-title=ko:휘성, JK 김동욱·엠투엠과 한솥밥 |website=Newsis |via=Daum |access-date=December 4, 2024 |archive-date=December 8, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241208000816/https://v.daum.net/v/20090623160907868 |url-status=live }}

In 2011, he transferred to Tae Jin Ah's YMC Entertainment.[http://news.naver.com/main/read.nhn?mode=LSD&mid=sec&sid1=106&oid=018&aid=0002492669 "Tae Jin Ah establishes YMC Entertainment to broaden musical genres"] Naver News. September 14, 2011. Retrieved April 1, 2012 {{in lang|ko}} Soon after joining YMC Entertainment, he recruited female singer Ailee.

In 2017, Wheesung parted ways with YMC Entertainment after his contract with the agency came to an end. He set up an independent label called Realslow Company, and announced that he will now be promoting under the stage name Realslow.{{cite news|title=Wheesung Sets Up Independent Label And Changes His Stage Name|url=https://www.soompi.com/2017/08/28/wheesung-sets-independent-label-changes-stage-name/|access-date=August 28, 2017|newspaper=Soompi|date=August 8, 2013|agency=Soompi}}{{Unreliable source?|reason=See reliable sources list on WP:KO/RS|date=December 2024}}

Realslow was a stage name used by Wheesung when he was an underground singer. Wheesung gained attention in the early 2000s as an underground musician before he debuted in 2002. The name references his love and passion for R&B music, which still struggles to have much popularity in Korea. Through this new name and label, Wheesung aims to return to his roots and produce some soulful R&B music.{{cite news|title=R&B singer Wheesung sets up new music label 'Realslow'|url=http://www.ajudaily.com/view/20170829161528481|access-date=August 28, 2017|date=April 12, 2018|agency=ajudaily}}{{cite news|title=Sensitive singer Wheesung steps out of his shell|url=https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=3046783|work=Korea JoongAng Daily|date=April 11, 2018|access-date=August 28, 2017|archive-date=June 9, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190609195830/http://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/article/article.aspx?aid=3046783|url-status=live}}

On November 7, 2011, he enlisted for mandatory military service. He served 21 months of active service after completing five-week of basic training course at a boot camp in Nonsan, South Chungcheong Province.Kim, JiYeon [http://global.mnet.com/news/newsdetail.m?searchNewsVO.news_id=201111071453_1404&nowPage=149 "Wheesung Joins the Army"] Mnet News. November 7, 2011. Retrieved April 1, 2012

On July 11, 2012, Wheesung was granted a 9 nights, 10 days temporary leave from the army to undergo surgery for a herniated disc as well as other medical conditions such as bilateral shoulders dislocation, psoriasis, and alopecia.{{cite news|last=Ho|first=Stewart|title=Wheesung Receives Temporary Leave From Army to Receive Surgery for Herniated Disc|url=http://enewsworld.mnet.com/enews/contents.asp?idx=9678|access-date=October 6, 2012|newspaper=enewsWorld|date=July 12, 2012|agency=CJ E&M}}

In August 9, 2013, Wheesung was discharged from the military.{{cite news|title=Wheesung Is Discharged from Military Service and Apologizes to His Family and Friends|url=https://www.soompi.com/2013/08/08/wheesung-is-discharged-from-military-service-and-apologizes-to-his-family-and-friends|access-date=October 6, 2017|newspaper=Soompi|date=August 8, 2013|agency=Soompi|archive-date=March 28, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180328232652/https://www.soompi.com/2013/08/08/wheesung-is-discharged-from-military-service-and-apologizes-to-his-family-and-friends/|url-status=live}}{{Unreliable source?|reason=See reliable sources list on WP:KO/RS|date=December 2024}}

In 2013, the singer was accused of using propofol from 2011 to early 2013 in various places including dermatology clinics in Gangnam, Seoul. Wheesung claimed he used it to treat a herniated disk and hair loss. The court later cleared him of the allegations.{{Cite web |date=March 26, 2020 |title=Wheesung being probed for propofol use: reports |url=https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/2020/03/26/etc/Wheesung-being-probed-for-propofol-use-reports/3075375.html |access-date=May 28, 2024 |website=Korea JoongAng Daily |language=en |archive-date=May 28, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240528195432/https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/2020/03/26/etc/Wheesung-being-probed-for-propofol-use-reports/3075375.html |url-status=live }}

On March 31, 2020, Wheesung was found passed out in a bathroom of a shopping mall in Seoul after using Etomidate. A black bag containing four syringes and five white vials were found lying next to him. Not being classified as a narcotic in South Korea, police released him but confiscated the items of the black bag.{{Cite web |title=Korean singer Wheesung admits using narcotic drug in trial, 3-year jail sentence sought |url=https://mb.com.ph/2021/01/23/korean-singer-wheesung-admits-using-narcotic-drug-in-trial-3-year-jail-sentence-sought/ |access-date=May 28, 2024 |website=Manila Bulletin |language=en |archive-date=May 28, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240528195432/https://mb.com.ph/2021/01/23/korean-singer-wheesung-admits-using-narcotic-drug-in-trial-3-year-jail-sentence-sought/ |url-status=live }} On the same day, the man who sold drugs to Wheesung without a doctor's prescription was arrested after a CCTV analysis of Wheesung's trail prior to his discovery unconscious in the bathroom.{{Cite web |last=안 |first=희재 |script-title=ko:[단독] 가수 휘성, 이틀 만에 또 투약 후 실신 |url=https://n.news.naver.com/mnews/ranking/article/055/0000805538?sid=111 |access-date=May 28, 2024 |website=SBS News |via=Naver |language=ko |archive-date=May 28, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240528195433/https://n.news.naver.com/mnews/ranking/article/055/0000805538?sid=111 |url-status=live }}

On April 2, 2020, Wheesung was found again collapsed in a bathroom of a hotel in Gwangjin District, Seoul, with a syringe and a glass bottle containing Etomidate. Although released, a hair and urine test analysis was performed.

In April 2020, ex-TV personality Amy revealed she and a celebrity friend, later confirmed to be Wheesung, partook in recreational propofol use.{{Cite web |date=April 17, 2019 |title=Ex-TV personality Amy reveals celebrity friend took drugs with her |url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/art/2024/05/398_267352.html |access-date=May 28, 2024 |website=The Korea Times |language=en |archive-date=May 28, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240528195435/https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/art/2024/05/398_267352.html |url-status=live }} While investigating a tip, the police had come to suspect Wheesung of purchasing propofol and sent his case to the prosecution with a recommendation of indictment. Later, Wheesung was charged for propofol use several times in December 2019.

At the first trial on January 19, 2021, prosecutors at the Daegu District Court sought a three year prison sentence. Wheesung 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.{{Cite web |last=손 |first=대성 |script-title=ko:수면마취제 프로포폴 투약...가수 휘성 1년형 집행유예 |url=https://n.news.naver.com/mnews/article/001/0012248840 |access-date=May 28, 2024 |website=Yonhap News |via=Naver |language=ko}}

On March 10, 2025, Wheesung was found dead at his home in the Gwangjin District of Seoul, at the age of 43.{{cite web|last=Yoon|first=So-yeon|title=Singer Choi Whee-sung, known as Wheesung, found dead at 43 years old.|url=https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/news/2025-03-10/national/socialAffairs/Singer-Choi-Wheesung-known-as-Wheesung-found-dead-at-43-years-old/2258791|website=Korea JoongAng Daily|access-date=March 10, 2025|language=ko|date=March 10, 2025}}{{cite web|url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/entertainment/music/20250310/south-korean-singer-wheesung-found-dead-in-his-home|title=Singer Wheesung, known for R&B vocals, dies at 43|website=Korea Times|access-date=2025-03-10|archive-date=March 10, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250310133125/https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/art/2025/03/682_393845.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web |last1=Brzeski |first1=Patrick |title=Korean Singer Wheesung Dies at 43 |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/music-news/korean-singer-wheesung-dead-1236160980/ |website=The Hollywood Reporter |date=11 March 2025}} Police said that there was no sign of foul play. Initial findings from an autopsy said the cause of death is "unknown."{{Cite web |date=2025-03-16 |title=Singer Wheesung laid to rest |url=https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/art/2025/03/398_394235.html |access-date=2025-03-16 |website=The Korea Times |language=en}} Wheesung was buried on March 16.{{cite web |last1=Chae |first1=Yun-hwan |title=Singer Wheesung laid to rest |url=https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250316001000315 |website=Yonhap News Agency |date=16 March 2025}}

{{Main|Wheesung discography}}

• Like a Movie (2002)
• It's Real (2003)
• For the Moment (2004)
• Love... Love...? Love...! (2005)
• Eternal Essence of Music (2007)
• Vocolate (2009)

• With All My Heart and Soul (2008)
• They Are Coming (2011)
• The Best Man (2014)
• Transformation (2016)
• In Space (2018)

• Realslow Is Back (2010)
• Heartsore Story (2011)

{{Main|Wheesung discography#Lyrics and compositions}}

• 2014: Zorro as Zorro
• 2016: All Shook Up as Elvis
• 2017–2018: All Shook Up as Elvis

• 2009: Mnet & tvN, Wheesung's Pre Star 1Show, MC
• 2017–2018: tvN, My English Puberty, ({{Korean|hangul=나의영어 사춘기|labels=no}}), E1-E8
• 2018: Channel A, Galaxy, ({{Korean|hangul=우주를줄게|labels=no}}), E1-10
• 2018: Mnet & tvN, The Call, E1-5、8
• 2018: tvN, A Battle of One Voice: 300, (하나의 목소리 전쟁: 300), E3、5
• 2018: MBC plus, New Music God ({{Korean|hangul=창작의신|labels=no}})
• 2018: TV Chosun, Neighbour Album ({{Korean|hangul=동네앨범|labels=no}})

{{more citations needed section|date=January 2023}}

{{Reflist}}

• {{discogs artist|Whee Sung}}
• {{IMDb name|9757802}}

{{Golden Disk Awards for New Artist of the Year}}

{{MAMA Award for Best Male Artist}}

{{Seoul Music Awards Main Prize Winners}}

{{Seoul Music Awards for New Artist Award}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Wheesung}}

Category:1982 births

Category:2025 deaths

Category:English-language singers from South Korea

Category:Korean Music Award winners

Category:MAMA Award winners

Category:Soul-jazz vocalists

Category:South Korean male musical theatre actors

Category:South Korean male pop singers

Category:South Korean record producers

Category:South Korean rhythm and blues singers

Category:South Korean singer-songwriters

Category:Singers from Seoul

Category:Male jazz musicians

Category:South Korean male singer-songwriters

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