The portrait of the late Wheesung, who tragically passed away, has been revealed, bringing deep emotions to fans and loved ones.
On March 14, Wheesung’s family shared a touching portrait of the singer, showing him with a bright smile.
The family explained, “We deliberately left the light on the right side unedited. His younger sibling wanted his photo to show him singing happily while receiving the light, so we decided to keep the original version as it is.”
His memorial altar was set up on March 14, four days after his passing, at Room 17 of Samsung Medical Center’s funeral hall. Floral tributes from fellow singers like Baek Ji Young, Jung Joon Il, and Babylon have been arriving to honor him.
The funeral will take place on March 16, and Wheesung’s final resting place will be Gwangneung Memorial Park.
The heartbreaking news of Wheesung’s passing shocked the public. He was found collapsed at his home in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, at around 6:29 PM on March 10.
Police did not find any signs of forced entry or foul play but requested an autopsy from the National Forensic Service (NFS) to determine the exact cause of death. Reports also stated that a syringe was found near him at the time.
The autopsy, conducted on March 12, initially concluded that the cause of death was “undetermined,” with a more detailed examination expected to take about two more weeks.
At first, the family planned to hold a quiet funeral with only close relatives and friends. However, they later decided to set up a memorial altar so that those who loved Wheesung could come and pay their respects.
His agency explained, “Initially, we intended to hold a private funeral due to concerns for his mother’s health. However, after much thought, the bereaved family wanted to create a space where people who love Wheesung could say their goodbyes.”
Wheesung’s younger brother also shared a heartfelt message through the agency, saying, “Our family is experiencing indescribable sorrow. Out of concern for our mother, who loved my brother more than anyone, we first decided to hold a private ceremony. But in the end, we felt it was right to give those who cherished him, both as an artist and as a person, a chance to remember him and send him off properly.”
He continued, “My brother always carried a deep loneliness that no one could truly comfort. Through his music, he worked tirelessly to express and overcome those emotions. If anyone remembers him or has ever found comfort in his songs, please feel free to visit and be with him on his final journey so that he does not leave this world alone.”
Wheesung debuted in 2002 with his first full-length album Like A Movie and became one of Korea’s most beloved ballad singers, with hits like Can’t We, A Story That Can’t Be Told, With Me, Incurable Disease, One Year, Love Is Delicious, Insomnia, I Thought of Marriage, and A Heartbreaking Story.
However, in 2019, he faced controversy when he was convicted of purchasing and using propofol 12 times, leading to a one-year prison sentence, suspended for two years. He stepped away from the entertainment industry for some time but later resumed activities, working as a songwriter and holding a concert in December of that year. He occasionally made public appearances through drama OSTs and performances.
The music world has lost a true talent, and many are mourning his passing. Rest in peace, Wheesung.
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