He was due to hold a concert this weekend in the city of Daegu

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

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 broke onto the scene in 2002 and quickly rose 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 due 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."

Rapper Verbal Jint said in a statement: "Every moment we shared was an honour, and I'm grateful.

"You've worked so hard, rest in peace, Wheesung."

In recent years, Wheesung was at the centre of several controversies. In 2021, he was handed a two-year suspended sentence for abusing powerful anaesthetic propofol.

During March and April in 2020, Wheesung was found unconscious due to similar sleep-inducing drugs.

This latest tragedy comes just weeks after South Korean actress Kim Sae-ron was found dead at her home aged 24.