South Korean pop star Choi Sung-bong, hailed by Justin Bieber, is found dead after committing suicide aged 33 – two years after being exposed for lying about having cancer and asking fans to donate money
- Choi Sung-bong rose to fame on Korea’s Got Talent in 2011 with a viral video
- If you are struggling with depression or suicidal thoughts, you can contact The Samaritans helpline 24/7 on 116 123 for help and support
South Korean pop star Choi Sung-bong has been found dead at the age of 33 from an apparent suicide.
He was found by police at 9:41 a.m. Tuesday at his home in Seoul’s Yeoksam-dong district. The Korea Times.
Sung-bong rose to fame on Korea’s Got Talent on tvN in 2011, before signing a recording contract with Bong Bong Company.
He came second in the competition with his operatic performance of Ennio Morricone’s Nella Fantasia, which has more than 21 million views on YouTube.
The clip of his performance was also praised by stars like Justin Bieber, BoA and Jung-Hwa Umwho.
South Korean pop star Choi Sung-bong has been found dead at the age of 33 from an apparent suicide
Sung-bong rose to fame on Korea’s Got Talent on tvN in 2011 (pictured), before signing a record deal with Bong Bong Company
Bieber wrote on Facebook at the time, “This is amazing. Never say never, and good luck to this boy. Good story.’
At the time, he was lauded by the media as Korea’s answer to Susan Boyle.
The news of Choi’s sudden death comes two years after he was exposed for lying about having multiple cancers and asking fans to donate money for his treatment.
After it turned out to be a hoax, he apologized and promised to return all donations.
Police believe he committed suicide due to a note he posted on his YouTube channel the day before his death, apologizing for his “silly mistakes.”
In it, he thanked his fans for supporting his career and wrote, “From 2011 to the present, I have received attention and love from so many people. I sincerely thank you and express my gratitude.”
He further apologized for the scam in 2021: “I am sincerely sorry for my foolish mistakes and those who have been harmed, and I have repeatedly made mistakes.
“For the past two years, we have turned back everyone who asked for a return of donations.
“Looking back, since I was young, I tried my best to enjoy a normal life, like every day for 10 years, but in the end I’m sorry.
Choi was found by police at 9:41 a.m. Tuesday at his home in Seoul’s Yeoksam-dong district.
“I do not regret the journey of life that I have lived brilliantly. I have lived to the best of my ability and tried to be happy every day.
“I am truly sorry for the many people who have been harmed by me… I am sorry for the many people who have helped me.”
Choi also wrote a memoir after he became famous, exploring his impoverished upbringing and telling how he dropped out of music school due to financial concerns.
It comes just a week after South Korean actress Park Soo Ryun died aged 29 after falling down a flight of stairs while returning home.
Park, who starred in the Disney+ K-drama Snowdrop, was taken to hospital for emergency treatment but was pronounced brain dead despite efforts to save her.
The country has been grappling with a series of deadly setbacks as multiple tragedies have rocked K-pop and K-drama in recent years.
Just two months ago, South Korean actress and model Jung Chae-yul, who rose to fame for her role in Zombie Detective, was found dead in her home at the age of 26. How she died so young has yet to be determined.
Just days later, K-Pop star Moonbin was also found dead in his apartment in a suspected suicide. The singer, actor, dancer and model was only 25.
And earlier this month, glamorous South Korean influencer BJ Ahyeong, a K-pop DJ, was found dead and dumped in a pit in Cambodia, weeks after giving up her social media career.
If you are struggling with depression or suicidal thoughts, you can contact The Samaritans helpline 24/7 on 116 123 for help and support.
Choi also wrote a memoir after he rose to fame, exploring his impoverished upbringing