Late Wheesung’s Brother Offers Comfort “Fellow Artists & Fans, Please Don’t Feel Guilty”
On the morning of March 16, a send off ceremony was held at Seoul Samsung Medical Center in Gangnam.
Following the ceremony, Choi Hyuk-sung addressed those in attendance, “Over the past two days of the funeral, I have seen so many fans grieving deeply, and I felt the need to say something.“
He continued, “At home, my brother was a very reserved person—quiet and distant. To be honest, I didn’t know much about his life outside of our family. I only saw him on TV. Sometimes, when we watched TV together, I would see my brother on the screen and think, ‘Why is someone from TV sitting next to me?’ That’s how separate his public and private selves were. He rarely let people into his personal space. Even though he would text things like ‘I love you, little brother’ or ‘I love you, Mom’ without hesitation, in person, he would often say, ‘I’m a bit tired—can I have some time alone?’“
Choi Hyuk-sung shared, “I’ve always remembered him as a reserved person, but when I met his colleagues at the funeral, they all said the same things—’He was so thoughtful’, ‘He was incredibly warm-hearted’, ‘He was the most caring person.’ It made me reflect—who was my brother, really?“
“At his core, my brother was kind and warm. But he was also lonely, struggling with deep sadness. As his family, we tried to understand, we wanted to help, but there are things that even love and effort cannot fix. It wasn’t his fault, and it certainly wasn’t the fault of his family or fans. Many of his colleagues and fans are blaming themselves, saying, ‘I should have done more’, ‘Why couldn’t I help?’ But you must accept that some things are truly beyond our control.”
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“I am not a psychiatrist, but I consulted with mental health professionals to understand my brother’s condition. In fact, one of the psychiatrists who treated him came to pay respects and said, ‘I am so sorry this happened.’ They truly did everything they could. But illness—whether physical or mental—sometimes cannot be overcome, no matter how much effort is made. Even when our father passed away, we experienced that helplessness. Please, don’t blame yourselves.”
Choi Hyuk-sung reassured grieving fans, “His physical presence may be gone, but his art remains. Even as we grow older—old enough for our hair to turn gray—his songs will still be here. In a way, his music may even outlive us all. My brother wasn’t someone you could see often. You only saw him when he performed, right? So maybe just think of him as somewhere resting, creating and living in his own way. Instead of dwelling in sadness, let’s cherish his music and remember him for who he was.”
“His music will always be here for you—whenever you need it. I promise to make sure my brother lives on longer than any of us. So please, don’t be too sad.”
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Wheesung tragically passed away on March 10. On March 12, the National Forensic Service released an initial report, stating that the cause of death remains undetermined. Detailed examinations are underway, with results expected within two weeks.