South Korean pop star Choi Sung-bong is found dead after committing suicide aged 33

South Korean pop star Choi Sung-bong has been found dead by an apparent suicide at the age of 33.

He was found by police at his home in the Yeoksam-dong district of Seoul at 9.41am on Tuesday, according to The Korea Times. 

Sung-bong rose to fame on Korea’s Got Talent on tvN in 2011, before signing a record deal with Bong Bong Company. 

He came in second place in the competition with his operatic performance of Ennio Morricone’s Nella Fantasia, which gained over 21 million views.  

A clip of his performance posted to YouTube received praise from stars such as Justin Bieber, BoA and Jung-Hwa Umwho.

South Korean pop star Choi Sung-bong has been found dead by an apparent suicide at the age of 33

Sung-bong rose to fame on Korea’s Got Talent on tvN in 2011, before signing a record deal with Bong Bong Company

Bieber wrote on Facebook at the time: ‘This is awesome. Never say never, and good luck to this kid. Great story.’ 

The news of Choi’s sudden death comes two years after he was exposed for lying that he had multiple forms of cancer and asking fans to donate cash for his treatment. 

After it was revealed to be a hoax, he apologised and promised to return any donations.  

Police believe that he died by suicide due to a note he posted on his YouTube channel the day before his death in which he apologised for his ‘foolish mistakes’. 

Sung-bong also wrote a memoir after his rise to fame, exploring his impoverished upbringing and telling how he dropped out of music school due to financial worries. 

If you are struggling with depression or suicidal thoughts, you can contact The Samaritans helpline 24/7 on 116 123 for help and support.