K-pop star Choi Sung-bong dies by suicide two years after cancer scam
South Korean pop star Choi Sung-bong has been found dead by 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.
The pop star shot to fame on Korea's Got Talent in 2011 and later signed a record deal with Bong Bong Company.
The news of his tragic death comes two years after he was exposed for lying about having cancer in a huge scam.
Choi had begged his millions of fans to donate cash which he said was to help him afford life-changing treatment for his diagnosis.
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South Korean pop star Choi Sung-bong has been found dead by suicide at the age of 33 (Facebook)
South Korean pop star Choi Sung-bong has been found dead by suicide at the age of 33 (Facebook)After being caught out, the singer issued a grovelling apology and vowed to return all of the donations which were kindly sent by his concerned fans.
Before taking his own life, Choi posted a note on his YouTube channel the day before his death where he apologised for his 'foolish mistakes' in the past.
In the ominous letter, the singer said he needed to 'repay for his sins with his life'.
Seoul police concluded Choi took his own because of the circumstances at his home at the time his body was discovered - and because of the note he uploaded to his YouTube channel a few days earlier.
“I sincerely apologise to all who suffered from my foolish mistake,” the note said.
Choi said he had returned all of the donations he received under false pretenses.
Choi claimed to have been diagnosed with colorectal cancer, thyroid cancer, and prostate cancer after earning the moniker 'Korean Paul Potts.'
Choi Sung-bong has been found dead by suicide two years after cancer scamControversy erupted when it became clear that everything was a lie.
At the time, Choi vehemently denied the associated suspicions and made significant efforts, such as disclosing the diagnosis, but all of these were discovered to be false.
He was also the subject of accusations and criticism that he squandered the one billion won he received from crowdfunding for entertainment costs.
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After all the accusations were backed with evidence, the singer came out and apologised for his mistakes - admitting that he had scammed his fans.
The singer quit his music career, and started a new life working in a restaurant.
After appearing on Korea's Got Talent, the YouTube clip of his performance on the show went viral and was viewed over 21 million times, with K-pop stars like BoA and Jung-Hwa Um promoting it on social media.
Choi said his 'life was complete' when Justin Bieber praised him on his Facebook page, writing: “This is awesome. Never say never, and good luck to this kid. Great story.”
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