Choi Whee-Sung
(Korean: ???, born February 5, 1982, in Seoul, South Korea) often credited by his stage name Wheesung
is a Korean R&B singer.
|
WHEESUNG TICKETS
|
History
1999: Debut
Wheesung began his career in 1999 with the short lived Korean boy band, A4. He left after the band's first album debut, citing musical differences between himself and the other members of the band. After being released from A4, 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. 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. Wheesung left
YG Entertainment after his contract expired in March 2006. He signed a new contract that is reportedly worth 1.5 million won with his new company Orange Shock Agency. It was stated that he will be composing and producing more with his new company giving him more freedom to do so.
Pre Star-1 Show
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 9-10 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.
[1] Wheesung's Pre-Show 1 Show’ started airing on 24 April on Mnet Cable Channel.
Korean Cover of Craig David's Insomnia
In late 2008, Wheesung was asked by British R&B artist
Craig David to record the Korean version of his hit single
Insomnia. The music video was released on February 17, 2009 and Wheesung's comeback performance was broadcast by
Mnet on February 19.
Performances in the USA
Wheesung had participated in several Kpop concerts in Los Angeles, CA, which include the Hollywood Bowl, and the Victory Concert. On June 19, 2009, Wheesung and
Lena Park held a concert in LA
Disney Concert Hall.
[2] After the concert, Wheesung planned to stay in LA for one 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.
Collaborations
Wheesung has collaborated with many artists, including
Se7en,
M-Flo,
Lovelyn,
Masta Wu,
Lee Hyori G.Gorilla Lee Hyun-do,
Younha,
Kara, and more. In late 2008, Wheesung has collaborated once again with
Lee Hyori who featured as his girlfriend in his music video of "?? ??.." (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.
Label Changes
Wheesung started his singer career in
YG Entertainment, when his contract expired in March 2006, he changed his label to Orange Shock. 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.
[3]
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 artists and hopes to learn from him as a little brother, no longer as an artist under a producer.
Discography
| Album Information
| Track Listing
|
Vol. 1: Just Like a Movie
(Debut Album)
- Released: April 4, 2002
- Format: CD, Digital
- Label: YG Entertainment
- Sales: 203,566
|
# Intro
# ..????..
# ?? ? ?? ???
# ??(??)
# ???
# You Are The Only One
# Magic Eye
# Interlude
# ??
# ??
# ????
# ??(??)
# Feel The Night
# Incomplete
|
Vol. 2: It's Real
- Released: August 21, 2003
- Format: CD, Digital
- Sales: 610,000
|
# Intro
# Set me free
# ?? ?? ?
# I am missing you
# With me
# ???? ?? ???
# Player
# ?? ??
# Interlude
# Dilemma
# ???? ???
# Pretty lady
# ??
# Angel
# Outro
# BONUS TRACK: Luz Control (Feat. Se7en & Lexy)
|
Vol. 3: For the Moment
- Released: October 18, 2004
- Format: CD, Digital
- Sales: 230,707
|
# Intro
# ??
# ??? ??? ???
# ? ????
# ??? (Feat. Masta Wu)
# ??? ??? ??
# Skit Part1. ?.?.? VS.???? (?? ??? ???)
# Corea new school ?? ?? (Feat. 1TYM Teddy)
# 7days
# ??? (Feat. Big mama ???)
# Skit Part2. ???? VS ?.?.(????? ???)
# Clubbin' (Feat. Jinusean Jinu)
# She's Beautiful
# ??? (Remake)
# Dear My friend (Feat. ??, Wanted ???)
# Outro
# Bonus Track: It'z time (Thanx to Masta Wu)
|
Vol. 4: Love... Love...? Love...!
- Released: September 23, 2005
- Format: CD, Digital
- Sales:224, 689
|
#??? ??? ?
#????
#??
#??? ???
#Good-Bye Luv..
#?? ? ? ?
#? ??
#????
#Luv Shine
#?? ?? ???
#?
#Morning
#Too Hot
#?? ? ?
#? ??
#???..?? ???..
#With Me (Mr)
|
??? ??
(Digital Single OST)
- Released: December 6, 2006
- Format: Digital
|
#???
|
Vol. 5: Eternal Essence of Music
- Released: September 4, 2007
- Format: CD, Digital
|
#Love Hero (Feat. J)
#My Way
#??? ????
#??? ??
#????
#??? ???
#??? ?? ??
#Savannah Woman (Feat. Verbal Jint)
#?? ?????
#???? (Feat. Younha)
#Tick Tock
#?? ?? ??
#?
#Against All Odds - Bonus Track
|
With All My Heart And Soul
(First Mini-Album)
- Released: October 29, 2008
- Format: CD, Digital
|
# ReaLSlow gotta go again
# ??? ?? (The Perfect Man)
# ?? ??.. (Fading Star)
# Interlude with ??
# Choco Luv
# Prayer 4 Soul (feat. Lovelyn)
# ??(??)
# ?? ??.. (Inst.)
|
Insomnia
(Digital Single)
- Released: February 19, 2009
- Format: Digital
- Extra Notes: This song is originally by British R'n'B singer Craig David. David publicly asked Wheesung to do a Korean cover for his promotion in Asia. Wheesung accepted his offer and wrote his own lyrics for the song.
|
#Insomnia (3:47)
#Insomnia (inst.) (3:47)
|
Awards
- 2003 18th Golden Disk Awards - Bonsang
- 2003 Korean Music Awards - Bonsang
- 2003 Seoul Music Awards - Bonsang
- 2004 Korean Music Awards - Best Male Performer
- 2004 M.net KM Music Video Festival - Best R&B Artist
- 2004 19th Golden Disk Awards - Bonsang
- 2004 KBS Music Awards - Bonsang
- 2004 MBC Music Awards - Bonsang
- 2005 M.NET KM Music Video Festival - Best Male R&B Artist
- 2005 20th Golden Disk Awards - Bonsang
- 2005 SBS Gayo Awards - Bonsang
- 2007 22nd Golden Disk Awards - Bonsang
References
- Heraldbiz: Wheesung hosts new Mnet TV program, Pre Show-1 Show
- Global Pop: Wheesung & Lena Park at Disney Concert Hall
- Daum News: Wheesung changes Agency to join JK Kim Dong Wook and M to M