POPULAR South Korean singer Wheesung has been found dead in his home at the age of 43.

The body of the K-Pop star, whose real name is Choi Whee-sung, was reportedly found a “significant amount of time” after his death as officials continue to investigate.

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Cops in Seoul say the singer was found in a state of a cardiac arrest but they suspect no signs of foul play related to his passing.

He was discovered unconscious in his apartment in Seoul’s northern Gwangjin-gu district after emergency responders were called by his mum, according to local newspaper The Korea Times.

Concerns were first raised after Wheesung didn’t meet his manager for a planned chat earlier in the day.

Investigations are ongoing into his death.

The famed musician first debuted in 2002 and quickly shot to fame in South Korea for his unique soulful vocals.

His popularity continued to soar throughout the 2000s with him being widely credited for making R&B grow in South Korea.

Wheesung went on to establish himself as a mentor and vocal coach to K-pop stars across the country in the past decade.

He was even scheduled to hold a concert with ballad singer KCM this weekend in the city of Daegu.

Fellow artists have paid a number of touching tributes to the singer in the past few hours.

Artist Yoon Min-soo wrote on social media “Wheesung, let’s sing and make music freely in that place. I won’t forget your pure and clear heart.

“Let’s meet again someday and sing together.”

He also shared a heartfelt video of the pair performing a duet.

Rapper Verbal Jint also shared a statement which read: “Every moment we shared was an honour, and I’m grateful.

“You’ve worked so hard, rest in peace, Wheesung.”

In recent years, Wheesung faced a number of controversies.

In 2021, he was handed a two-year suspended sentence for abusing powerful anesthetic propofol.

Then within days in March and April 2020, Wheesung was found unconscious on two separate occasions due to similar sleep-inducing drugs.

His tragic passing comes just weeks after promising South Korean actress Kim Sae-ron was found dead at her home aged just 24.

Kim, who starred in Netflix hit Bloodhounds, was discovered by her close friend who quickly alerted police.

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