K-Pop Star Lee Hyori Pays Respects at Late Wheesung's Memorial
Renowned K-pop singer Lee Hyori visited the memorial of the late Wheesung, who had previously collaborated with her on her hit song, 'Hey Mr. Big.'

The memorial service for Wheesung began at 11 a.m. on the 14th at Samsung Medical Center in Seoul. Close friends and fellow artists rushed to pay their respects. KCM, who was scheduled to perform with Wheesung on the 15th, arrived with tear-filled eyes. Other artists like Kim Tae-woo from the group god and Song Baek-kyung from the hip-hop group 1TYM also attended.

Lee Hyori, dressed in black, expressed her sorrow through her eyes as she paid her respects. Wheesung had contributed to the lyrics of her hit song 'Hey Mr. Big.'

K-Pop Star Lee Hyori Pays Respects at Late Wheesung's Memorial
K-Pop Star Lee Hyori Pays Respects at Late Wheesung's Memorial
Other artists, including IU, Park Jung-hyun, Baek Ji-young, Jung Joon-il, BTS, TWICE, Baby V.O.X, and Brown Eyed Soul, sent floral tributes to honor the late singer.

Initially, Wheesung's family was too shocked to proceed with the funeral arrangements, but due to requests from fellow artists and fans, they decided to hold the service.

Wheesung's younger brother shared, "My brother always carried a deep loneliness that no one could console. He lived passionately, channeling his emotions through music and song. We invite everyone who knew him or found happiness in his music to visit the memorial and ensure he doesn't leave this world alone."

K-Pop Star Lee Hyori Pays Respects at Late Wheesung's Memorial
The funeral and burial will take place on the 16th at 6 a.m. and 7 p.m., respectively, at Gwangneung Memorial Park.

According to police and his agency, Wheesung was found unconscious at his home in Gwangjin-gu, Seoul, on the evening of the 10th. His mother discovered him and called emergency services. Police found no signs of foul play and are investigating the cause of death, including a forensic analysis of his phone.

The National Forensic Service conducted an autopsy, with initial findings indicating an "unknown cause of death." A police representative stated, "There are no external injuries, so determining the exact cause will take time. We need to examine any drug-related circumstances to see if they contributed to his death." The detailed results are expected within one to two weeks.

Wheesung was set to perform a joint ballad concert with KCM in Daegu on the 15th. In his last social media post, he shared his excitement for the concert, saying, "See you then," which has drawn attention to the circumstances of his passing.

Wheesung was a pivotal figure in popularizing the R&B genre in the early 2000s. He debuted in 2002 with the hit 'Can't We' and released numerous hits like 'With Me,' 'The Day We Meet Again,' 'Incurable Disease,' and 'I Thought About Marriage.'

In 2019, Wheesung faced legal issues for repeated propofol use, resulting in a suspended prison sentence and a ban from KBS broadcasts, affecting his career. He had since focused on live performances.

Choi Ji-ye, TenAsia Reporter wisdomart@tenasia.co.kr
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