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Wheesung

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In this Korean name, the family name is Choi.
Wheesung
Wheesung in Beyond The Dream Concert
Background information
Birth nameChoi Whee-sung
Also known asRealslow
Born (1982-02-05) February 5, 1982 (age 42)
South Korea
Genres
Occupations
  • Singer-songwriter
  • record producer
  • musical theatre actor
InstrumentVocals
Years active1999–present
Labels
Formerly of
  • A4
  • MAME
Korean name
Hangul
최휘성
Hanja
崔輝晟
Revised RomanizationChoe Hwiseong
McCune–ReischauerCh'oe Hwisŏng

Choi Whee-sung (Korean: 최휘성; born February 5, 1982), known professionally as Wheesung or by the stage name Realslow, is a South Korean R&B singer, record producer, and musical theatre actor.

Career

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1982: Early life and education

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Wheesung was born on February 5, 1982.[1] He was an avid dancer in high school, where he was part of a rock band. He began singing in his senior year.[2][full citation needed]

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.[3]

1997–1999: Dance Team and Group Debut

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He started his career in 1997 as a member of a back dancing team ING.[4][unreliable source?] Wheesung began his career in 1999 with the 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. And, he participated the MBC College Music Festival (MBC 강변가요제) in 2000.[5]

2000–2006: Solo Debut and YG Entertainment

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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.[2] The album became very popular after receiving praise from many well-known artists, including Seo Taiji and Shin Seung Hun. 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. Unlike his debut album, It's Real wasn't restricted to R&B and it included different musical elements like pop and hip-hop.

2006–2009: Orange Shock Agency

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Wheesung left YG Entertainment after his contract expired in March 2006. He signed a new contract that is reportedly worth 1.5 billion won with his new company Orange Shock Agency.[citation needed]

Wheesung has collaborated with many artists. In late 2008, Wheesung has collaborated once again with Lee Hyori who featured as his girlfriend in his music video of "별이 지다.." (Fading Star) in the "With All My Heart and Soul" album. In 2009, Wheesung seeks help from producer Lee Hyun-do, they will collaborate to produce the new album which the release date has been set in August 2009.[citation needed]

2009–2011: POP/UP Entertainment

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In April 2009, Wheesung is the MC/host of a new Mnet TV show called "Pre Star-1 Show. This show gives 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.[6] 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, which include the Hollywood Bowl, and the Victory Concert. On June 19, 2009, Wheesung and Lena Park held a concert in Los Angeles Disney Concert Hall.[citation needed] 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". The new album is set to be released in August 2009. Wheesung also claimed in an interview that he wants to visit Pink's Hot Dogs while in LA. 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.[7][full citation needed] Wheesung has decided to change his label because former producer, Park Gun Tae, concentrated more on producing and working by himself. Wheesung gave thanks to Park Gun Tae for his growth as an artist and hopes to learn from him as a little brother, no longer as an artist under a producer.

2011–2016: YMC Entertainment

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In 2011, he transferred to Tae Jin Ah's YMC Entertainment.[8] Soon after joining YMC Entertainment, he recruited female singer Ailee.

2017–present: Realslow Company and new stage name

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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 he will now be promoting under the stage name Realslow.[9][unreliable source?]

Realslow is 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.[10][11]

Personal life

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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.[12]

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.[13]

In August 9, 2013, Wheesung was discharged from the military.[14][unreliable source?]

Drug use

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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.[15]

On March 31, 2020, Wheesung was found passed out in a bathroom of a shopping mall in Seoul after using Etomidate. A black bag lying containing four syringes and five white vials were found next to him. Not being classified as a narcotic in South Korea, police released him but confiscated the items of the black bag.[16] 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.[17][full citation needed]

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.[16]

In April 2020, ex-TV personality Amy revealed she and a celebrity friend, later confirmed to be Wheesung, partook in recreational propofol use.[18] 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.[18]

At the first trial on January 19, 2021, prosecutors at the Daegu District Court sought a three years in 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.[19][full citation needed]

Discography

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Main article: Wheesung discography

Studio albums

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  • 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

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Lyrics and compositions

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Main article: Wheesung discography § Lyrics and compositions

Filmography

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Musical

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Variety shows

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  • 2009: Mnet & tvN, Wheesung's Pre Star 1Show, MC
  • 2017–2018: tvN, My English Puberty, (나의영어 사춘기), E1-E8
  • 2018: Channel A, Galaxy, (우주를줄게), E1-10
  • 2018: Mnet & tvN, The Call, E1-5、8
  • 2018: tvN, A Battle of One Voice: 300, (하나의 목소리 전쟁: 300), E3、5
  • 2018: MBC plus, New Music God (창작의신)
  • 2018: TV Chosun, Neighbour Album (동네앨범)

Concert

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Year Name [20][21][22][23]
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[24][unreliable source?]
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[25][26]
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 [27]
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 [28]
2015 Wheesung & Ailee Concert Back to School Ailee[29]
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[30]
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 [31]

Awards and nominations

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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" (안되나요) Won [32]
MBC Ten Singers Song Festival Best New Artist Won [33]
Mnet Music Video Festival Best New Male Artist "Can't I" (안되나요) Nominated
Best R&B Performance Nominated
SBS Gayo Daejeon R&B Award Won
Seoul Music Awards Best New Artist Won
2003 Golden Disc Awards Main Prize (Bonsang) "With Me" Won [34]
MBC Ten Singers Song Festival Top Ten Singer (Bonsang) Won
Mnet Music Video Festival Best Male Artist "With Me" Won
Best R&B Performance Nominated
SBS Gayo Daejeon Main Prize (Bonsang) Won
Seoul Music Awards Main Prize (Bonsang) Won
2004 Golden Disc Awards Main Prize (Bonsang) "Incurable Disease" (불치병) Won [35]
KBS Music Awards Best Singer (Bonsang) Won
Korean Music Awards Musician of the Year It's Real Won
MBC Ten Singers Song Festival Top Ten Singer (Bonsang) Won [36]
Mnet Km Music Video Festival Best Male Video "Incurable Disease" (불치병) Nominated
Best R&B Video Won
2005 Golden Disc Awards Main Prize (Bonsang) "Goodbye Luv" Won
KBS Music Awards Best Singer (Bonsang) Won
Korean Music Awards Best R&B and Soul Album For the Moment Nominated [37]
Mnet Km Music Video Festival Best Male Artist "Goodbye Luv" Nominated
Best R&B Performance Won
SBS Gayo Daejeon Main Prize (Bonsang) Won
2007 Golden Disc Awards Main Prize (Bonsang) "Delicious Love" (사랑은 맛있다) Won
Mnet Km Music Festival Best R&B Performance Nominated
2009 Korean Music Awards Best R&B and Soul Album With All My Heart and Soul Nominated [38]
Male Musician of the Year Nominated [38]
2010 Mnet Asian Music Awards Best Male Solo Artist "Even Thought of Marriage" (결혼까지 생각했어) Nominated
Best Vocal Performance (Solo) Nominated
2011 Mnet Asian Music Awards Best Male Solo Artist "Heartsore Story" (가슴 시린 이야기) Nominated
2014 Korea Culture and Entertainment Awards K-Pop Top Ten Singer Award Won
Mnet Asian Music Awards Best Vocal Performance (Male) "Night and Day" Nominated [39]
SBS MTV Best of the Best Best Male Solo Won
Seoul Success Awards Singer Grand Prize Won [40]
2018 Soribada Best K-Music Awards Voice Award Won [41]
2019 Korean Arts and Culture Awards Music Producer Award Won [42]

References

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  1. ^ Kim, I-seul (June 21, 2016). [인터뷰] '올슉업' 휘성 "두 번째 도전, 이제는 상대배우가 눈에 보이네요". NewsCulture (in Korean). Herald Corporation. Retrieved October 13, 2016.
  2. ^ a b Kim, Krista (October 29, 2003). [번역]This R&B is for 'real' 휘성, R&B 가수로 변신. The Korea Herald (in Korean). Naver. Retrieved October 13, 2016.
  3. ^ 휘성(최휘성) 가수. Naver 인물검색 (in Korean). March 14, 2011. Archived from the original on October 6, 2023. Retrieved August 3, 2011.
  4. ^ "Artist of the week – Wheesung". soompi. September 22, 2010. Archived from the original on June 29, 2018. Retrieved March 13, 2018.
  5. ^ 하늘에서..♬ 휘성, 담담하게 말하는 데뷔 전 가수의 꿈. Channel A. May 16, 2018. Archived from the original on December 13, 2021.
  6. ^ 김윤희. [휘성의 가요클리닉]"내 경험 살려 될성부른 신인 발굴하겠다". www.heraldbiz.com. Archived from the original on October 23, 2009. Retrieved June 24, 2009.
  7. ^ 휘성, JK 김동욱·엠투엠과 한솥밥. Archived from the original on December 8, 2024. Retrieved December 4, 2024.
  8. ^ "Tae Jin Ah establishes YMC Entertainment to broaden musical genres" Naver News. September 14, 2011. Retrieved April 1, 2012 (in Korean)
  9. ^ "Wheesung Sets Up Independent Label And Changes His Stage Name". Soompi. Soompi. August 8, 2013. Retrieved August 28, 2017.
  10. ^ "R&B singer Wheesung sets up new music label 'Realslow'". ajudaily. April 12, 2018. Retrieved August 28, 2017.
  11. ^ "Sensitive singer Wheesung steps out of his shell". Korea JoongAng Daily. April 12, 2018. Archived from the original on June 9, 2019. Retrieved August 28, 2017.
  12. ^ Kim, JiYeon "Wheesung Joins the Army" Mnet News. November 7, 2011. Retrieved April 1, 2012
  13. ^ Ho, Stewart (July 12, 2012). "Wheesung Receives Temporary Leave From Army to Receive Surgery for Herniated Disc". enewsWorld. CJ E&M. Retrieved October 6, 2012.
  14. ^ "Wheesung Is Discharged from Military Service and Apologizes to His Family and Friends". Soompi. Soompi. August 8, 2013. Archived from the original on March 28, 2018. Retrieved October 6, 2017.
  15. ^ "Wheesung being probed for propofol use: reports". Korea JoongAng Daily. March 26, 2020. Archived from the original on May 28, 2024. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
  16. ^ a b "Korean singer Wheesung admits using narcotic drug in trial, 3-year jail sentence sought". Manila Bulletin. Archived from the original on May 28, 2024. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
  17. ^ 안, 희재. [단독] 가수 휘성, 이틀 만에 또 투약 후 실신. Naver News (in Korean). Archived from the original on May 28, 2024. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
  18. ^ a b "Ex-TV personality Amy reveals celebrity friend took drugs with her". The Korea Times. April 17, 2019. Archived from the original on May 28, 2024. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
  19. ^ 손, 대성. 수면마취제 프로포폴 투약…가수 휘성 1년형 집행유예. Naver News (in Korean). Retrieved May 28, 2024.
  20. ^ "playdb Wheesung Concert Record 공연의 모든 것 플레이DB". Archived from the original on February 27, 2021. Retrieved March 29, 2018.
  21. ^ "Official Wheesung Concert Record". Archived from the original on January 16, 2021. Retrieved March 29, 2018.
  22. ^ "Naver Wheesung Concert Record". Archived from the original on August 20, 2020. Retrieved April 4, 2018.
  23. ^ "Interpark Wheesung Concert Record". Archived from the original on June 8, 2019. Retrieved April 4, 2018.
  24. ^ "《The Vocalist》製作發佈會 Bobby Kim-GUMMY-輝星出席". koreastardaily. December 6, 2010. Archived from the original on November 28, 2020. Retrieved March 29, 2018.
  25. ^ "金泰宇-輝星11月安可公演". Kpopn. October 1, 2011. Archived from the original on June 13, 2019. Retrieved March 29, 2018.
  26. ^ "金泰宇-輝星11月安可公演". Kpopn. November 2, 2011. Archived from the original on June 29, 2019. Retrieved March 29, 2018.
  27. ^ "眾星擔任輝星演唱會嘉賓". allthatstar. November 1, 2014. Archived from the original on June 16, 2019. Retrieved March 29, 2018.
  28. ^ "輝星準備情人節演唱會 14~15日「Whee show」隆重召開". allthatstar. February 9, 2015. Archived from the original on June 3, 2019.
  29. ^ "Ailee輝星攜手開唱 共同演唱會12月起跑". allthatstar. November 2, 2015. Archived from the original on June 1, 2019.
  30. ^ "K.will輝星舉辦全國巡演 4月30日首爾開唱". allthatstar. March 3, 2016. Archived from the original on June 2, 2019.
  31. ^ Yoo Jeong-min (November 24, 2022). "프로포폴 논란' 휘성, 2022년 마지막 날은 팬들과 함께" ['Propopol Controversy' Wheesung, last day of 2022 with fans] (in Korean). Ten Asia. Archived from the original on November 24, 2022. Retrieved November 24, 2022 – via Naver.
  32. ^ 제17회 골든디스크상 대상에 그룹 쿨. The Korea Economic Daily (in Korean). December 13, 2002. Retrieved September 11, 2020.
  33. ^ [콘서트 인 부산] 컬러 오브 소울 트레인. Busan Ilbo (in Korean). September 9, 2004. Archived from the original on October 6, 2023. Retrieved September 11, 2020.
  34. ^ 조성모 '2003 골든디스크' 대상. JoongAng Ilbo (in Korean). December 5, 2003. Archived from the original on March 30, 2019. Retrieved September 11, 2020.
  35. ^ 제19회 골든디스크 대상에 이수영. The Hankyoreh (in Korean). December 3, 2004. Retrieved September 11, 2020.
  36. ^ 한지혜-한예슬, MBC 10대가수 가요제 MC. The Chosun Ilbo (in Korean). August 12, 2020. Retrieved September 11, 2020.
  37. ^ 2회 수상식 수상후보. Korean Music Awards (in Korean). Retrieved September 11, 2020.
  38. ^ a b 6회 수상식 수상후보. Korean Music Awards (in Korean). Archived from the original on February 27, 2017. Retrieved September 11, 2020.
  39. ^ "'2014 MAMA' 태양 에일리, 男女보컬퍼포먼스상 수상 영예". Newsen (in Korean). December 3, 2014. Archived from the original on October 21, 2021. Retrieved September 11, 2020.
  40. ^ 서울 석세스 어워드. STV (in Korean). Retrieved September 11, 2020.
  41. ^ Herman, Tamar (August 30, 2018). "BTS, TWICE Win Big at 2018 Soribada Best K-Music Awards". Billboard. Retrieved September 11, 2020.
  42. ^ 휘성, '에이미 논란' 후 예술문화인대상 참석 (대한민국 예술문화인대상). The Seoul Economic Daily [ko] (in Korean). May 7, 2019. Archived from the original on October 6, 2023. Retrieved September 11, 2020.
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