The Korean singer passed away at the age of 33.
South Korean singer Choi Sung-bong has died at the age of 33. He was found dead by police at his home in Seoul’s Yeoksam-dong district on Tuesday (June 20), South Korean media reported. The cause of death is suicide.
His breakthrough came when he appeared on the show Korea’s Got Talent in 2011. He took second place in the format for his performance of Ennio Morricone’s Nella Fantasia. The winner lost to Choi Sung-bong by just over 200 votes.
Check out his first appearance on the show, where he also shares part of his life story:
Choi Sung-bong was left in an orphanage at the age of three. He later left to escape, according to his own statements, from the physical violence he experienced there. In January 2021, when his career was already in full swing, he started a fundraiser: he said he had cancer and needed money for treatment and his new album. The money worries were real, but he faked the illness, as it came out in October 2021.
He published a kind of suicide note on YouTube, which has already been removed from the platform. In the message, he apologized to everyone who had been harmed by him. “I have no regrets about my life path, which I have mastered with flying colors. I made the best of my abilities and tried to be happy every day.”
Choi Sung-bong made waves around the world with his appearance on Korea’s Got Talent. Even Justin Bieber chimed in, telling the singer on Facebook that he was “amazing.” During his career he released several singles. In 2016 he made his debut with Slowcoach. His work also includes the tracks “Tonight” (2021) and “I PRAY” (2022). He also wrote the book “Singing is My Life – Memoir of My Journey from Homelessness to Fame” in which he wrote down his life story.
If you have suicidal thoughts, you should turn to people you trust. Speaking often helps to clear the thoughts, at least temporarily. Anyone who is open to further offers of help or is concerned about people close to them can contact the telephone counseling service – also anonymously: It offers quick help and puts doctors, advice centers or clinics in touch on 0800/111 01 11.