The sudden death of singer Wheesung has sparked renewed discussions about his struggles with online harassment.
On Monday, Wheesung (real name Choi Wheesung) was found deceased at his home. Authorities, responding to a call from his family, believe he had been dead for some time before being discovered.
There were no signs of foul play or forced entry. Investigators are currently looking into the possibility of a suicide note and are examining the circumstances surrounding his death.
Wheesung was scheduled to perform at the Daegu EXCO Auditorium with fellow singer KCM this Saturday, but the performance has been canceled due to his unexpected passing.
As news of his death spread, an outpouring of grief followed, but his previous warnings to online trolls have also resurfaced.
In April 2023, Wheesung posted a message on his Instagram expressing his frustration with online harassment: “If you’re sending DMs as a joke, it’s really upsetting. Don’t treat me like I’m a zoo animal you’re tossing food at. It makes me lose my patience,” he wrote, revealing his anger at the constant trolling.
He also added, “I might actually get upset,” clearly signaling his concern for users who sent unsolicited direct messages.
Wheesung posted another message the following day: “I really don’t know how to lose weight. Last night, I dreamed I could never lose weight. Fat feels like a prison to me. Just two years ago, I could lose 22 pounds in three weeks, and now I feel sad thinking about those days. It’s heartbreaking.”
Along with these struggles, Wheesung battled chronic rhinitis, which led to severe insomnia. He was also charged with the illegal use of the anesthetic propofol and sentenced to one year in prison with two years of probation in 2021 after his appeal.
In March and April of 2020, Wheesung was found unconscious on two separate occasions after being administered the sleep-inducing anesthetic etomidate in Seoul’s Songpa and Gwangjin districts.
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