Wheesung

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Choi Whee-sung (Korean: Script error: No such module "Lang".Template:Category handler; February 5, 1982 – Template:Circa March 10, 2025), known professionally as Wheesung or by the stage name Realslow, was a South Korean R&B singer-songwriter, record producer and musical theatre actor.

Career

1982-: Early life and education

Wheesung was born on February 5, 1982 in Seoul.[1] 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.[2] 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.[3] 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.[4] 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.[5]

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.[6]

1997–1999: Dance Team and Group Debut

He started his career in 1997 as a member of a backup dance team ING.[7]Script error: No such module "Unsubst". 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.[8]

2000–2006: Solo debut and YG Entertainment

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.[3] 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.

2006–2009: Orange Shock Agency

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.Script error: No such module "Unsubst".

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.Script error: No such module "Unsubst". In the same year, he also made a big hit with "Insomnia(불면증)" after being requested to cover Insomnia by Craig David in Korean.

2009–2011: POP/UP Entertainment

File:비욘드 더 드림 자선콘서트 - 휘성 02.jpg
Wheesung performs at Beyond the Dream Concert

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.[9] 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.Script error: No such module "Unsubst". 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.[10]

2011–2016: YMC Entertainment

In 2011, he transferred to Tae Jin Ah's YMC Entertainment.[11] Soon after joining YMC Entertainment, he recruited female singer Ailee.

2017–2025: Realslow Company, new stage name and final projects

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.[12]Script error: No such module "Unsubst".

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.[13][14]

Personal life

Military service

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.[15]

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.[16]

In August 9, 2013, Wheesung was discharged from the military.[17]Script error: No such module "Unsubst".

Drug use

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.[18]

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.[19] 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.[20]

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.[19]

In April 2020, ex-TV personality Amy revealed she and a celebrity friend, later confirmed to be Wheesung, partook in recreational propofol use.[21] 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.[21]

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.[22]

Death

On March 10, 2025, Wheesung was found dead at his home in the Gwangjin District of Seoul, at the age of 43.[23][24][25] Police said that there was no sign of foul play. Initial findings from an autopsy said the cause of death is "unknown."[26] Wheesung was buried on March 16.[27]

Discography

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Studio albums

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

Mini albums

Single albums

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

Lyrics and compositions

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Bibliography

Year Title ISBN Ref.
2009 Nonetheless, I am Still ING Template:ISBN [28]

Filmography

Musicals

Variety shows

Concerts

Year Name [29][30][31][32]
2003 Wheesung It's Real Movement
2004 Wheesung It's Real Movement II
Wheesung Theater Concert Like his Diary
솔트레인 2004 Concert Gummy SE7EN BIGMAMA
2004 JTN Live Concert 4th Wheesung & Gummy Gummy
2005 Good Friends Concert Gummy SE7EN BIGMAMA
2005 4Color Story Concert Kim Jang-hoon Fly to the Sky M To M
2006 Wheesung Concert Poison
Love Love Love Wheesung Birthday
BIG4 Concert FT Island M To M SG Wannabe
2007 2007 Whee Show Welcome to Realslow World
26th Happy Whee's day
BIG4 Concert SG Wannabe Vibe SeeYa
2008 2008 Whee Show
Happy Whee's Day Birthday Party
2008 JTN Live Concert 9th Wheesung & MC THE MAX MC THE MAX
2008 The Soul Concert Gummy Park Hyo Shin Jung Yup
2009 2009 Wheesung Concert The Man
2009 The Soul The Vocalist Concert Bobby Kim Kim Bum Soo
2009 Dream Concert
2010 Wheesung Real Slow is Back Concert
2010 The Soul The Vocalist Concert Bobby Kim Gummy[33]Script error: No such module "Unsubst".
The Great Moment Season 1 Leessang Jeong In Gummy Lee Young Hyun
2010 JTN Live Concert 7
2011 Wheesung & Kim Tae Woo 2011 Two Men Show Soul Twins & Encore Kim Tae Woo[34][35]
Wheesung & Kim Tae Woo 2011 Two Men Show Soul Twins Encore Kim Tae Woo
2013 Wheesung & Gummy Do It Live Tour Concert Gummy
2014 Wheesung Live Tour Concert 2014 Whee Show [36]
2014 JTN Live Concert 3月
2014 Valentine's Day Kiss Concert Gummy
2014 Someday Concert 3rd Ailee
2014 Someday Concert 4th Shin Yong Jae
The Voice Concert Ailee Kim Bum Soo Shin Yong Jae Yoon Jong Shin
JTBC Hidden Singer Concert
2015 Wheesung Live Tour Concert 2015 Whee Show [37]
2015 Wheesung & Ailee Concert Back to School Ailee[38]
Wheesung & Gummy US Soulmate Concert Gummy
Legend Concert Wheesung
2015 The Plaza Countdown Party
Someday Festival 2015
2016 2016 Wheesung Live Concert On Air
WHEESUNG CONCERT in TOKYO 2016
Seong Nam Concert with Wheesung
Wheesung & K.Will Bromance Show K.Will[39]
Wheesung & Yoon Min-soo Concert Yoon Min-soo
Wheesung & Zion.T Voice II Men Concert Zion.T
Wheesung & Bada Peoplegate The Best Emotion of Concert Bada
Wheesung x Gummy x Kim Kyung-ho Summer Dream Concert Gummy Kim Kyung-ho
Wheesung & ALi Concert Cantare Festa ALi
2016 JTN Live Concert Wheesung & Lucky J Lucky J
젊은외침 통일 콘서트 Bada San.E Verbal.J Sool J
신사들의 품격 Yoon Hyung-Ryul Lee Chang-min Han Ji-sang
2017 2017 Wheesung Live Concert On Air
2017 Wheesung National Tour Concert Get Sexxy
Insomnia with Wheesung Concert
Wheesung & Kim Tae-woo Voice II Men Concert Kim Tae-woo
2018 Wheesung Concert Get Sexxy Encore
Wheesung Concert
Wheesung & Gummy Concert Gummy
Star Pack Concert 5 K.Will Ailee
2018 Dream Concert
Wheesung Real Healing Concert
Wheesung & Lyn Summer Concert Lyn
2018 DMC Festival Super Concert
Wheesung & Jung in Forest Live (TV Chosun) Jung In
Wheesung & Fany Concert Fany
2018 Realslow Wheesung Fan Meeting
Mini K-Pop Concert by WheeSung National Theater, Abu Dhabi
2018 Wheesung Realslow Concert Get Sexxy Season 2 & 2019 Encore
2022 Wheesung Fanmeeting [40]

Awards and nominations

Template:More citations needed section

Year presented, name of the award ceremony, award category, nominated work and the result of the nomination
Year Award Category Nominated work Result Ref.
2002 Golden Disc Awards Best New Artist "Can't I" (Script error: No such module "Lang".Template:Category handler) Template:Won [41]
MBC Ten Singers Song Festival Best New Artist Template:Won [42]
Mnet Music Video Festival Best New Male Artist "Can't I" (Script error: No such module "Lang".Template:Category handler) Template:Nom
Best R&B Performance Template:Nom
SBS Gayo Daejeon R&B Award Template:Won
Seoul Music Awards Best New Artist Template:Won
2003 Golden Disc Awards Main Prize (Bonsang) "With Me" Template:Won [43]
MBC Ten Singers Song Festival Top Ten Singer (Bonsang) Template:Won
Mnet Music Video Festival Best Male Artist "With Me" Template:Won
Best R&B Performance Template:Nom
SBS Gayo Daejeon Main Prize (Bonsang) Template:Won
Seoul Music Awards Main Prize (Bonsang) Template:Won
2004 Golden Disc Awards Main Prize (Bonsang) "Incurable Disease" (Script error: No such module "Lang".Template:Category handler) Template:Won [44]
KBS Music Awards Best Singer (Bonsang) Template:Won
Korean Music Awards Musician of the Year It's Real Template:Won
MBC Ten Singers Song Festival Top Ten Singer (Bonsang) Template:Won [45]
Mnet Km Music Video Festival Best Male Video "Incurable Disease" (Script error: No such module "Lang".Template:Category handler) Template:Nom
Best R&B Video Template:Won
2005 Golden Disc Awards Main Prize (Bonsang) "Goodbye Luv" Template:Won
KBS Music Awards Best Singer (Bonsang) Template:Won
Korean Music Awards Best R&B and Soul Album For the Moment Template:Nom [46]
Mnet Km Music Video Festival Best Male Artist "Goodbye Luv" Template:Nom
Best R&B Performance Template:Won
SBS Gayo Daejeon Main Prize (Bonsang) Template:Won
2007 Golden Disc Awards Main Prize (Bonsang) "Delicious Love" (Script error: No such module "Lang".Template:Category handler) Template:Won
Mnet Km Music Festival Best R&B Performance Template:Nom
2009 Korean Music Awards Best R&B and Soul Album With All My Heart and Soul Template:Nom [47]
Male Musician of the Year Template:Nom [47]
2010 Mnet Asian Music Awards Best Male Solo Artist "Even Thought of Marriage" (Script error: No such module "Lang".Template:Category handler) Template:Nom
Best Vocal Performance (Solo) Template:Nom
2011 Mnet Asian Music Awards Best Male Solo Artist "Heartsore Story" (Script error: No such module "Lang".Template:Category handler) Template:Nom
2014 Korea Culture and Entertainment Awards K-Pop Top Ten Singer Award Template:Won
Mnet Asian Music Awards Best Vocal Performance (Male) "Night and Day" Template:Nom [48]
SBS M Best of the Best Best Male Solo Template:Won
Seoul Success Awards Singer Grand Prize Template:Won [49]
2018 Soribada Best K-Music Awards Voice Award Template:Won [50]
2019 Korean Arts and Culture Awards Music Producer Award Template:Won [51]
2024 Korea Social Contribution Awards Social Contributor Award Template:Won [52]

References

Template:Reflist

External links

Template:Golden Disk Awards for New Artist of the Year Template:MAMA Award for Best Male Artist Template:Seoul Music Awards Main Prize Winners Template:Seoul Music Awards for New Artist Award Template:Authority control

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  11. ↑ "Tae Jin Ah establishes YMC Entertainment to broaden musical genres" Naver News. September 14, 2011. Retrieved April 1, 2012 Template:In lang
  12. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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  15. ↑ Kim, JiYeon "Wheesung Joins the Army" Mnet News. November 7, 2011. Retrieved April 1, 2012
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