“Korea’s Got Talent” Singer Leaves A Suicide Note On His YouTube Channel

On June 20, popera singer Choi Sung Bong, best known for his appearance on Korea’s Got Talent in 2011, left a worrisome “final message” on his YouTube channel.

Choi Sung Bong | Bongbong Company

He started the letter by stating that it was his farewell message to his fans.

I am writing this message as a farewell to my fans, and if you are reading this, I will probably already be deceased. Since 2011 until now, I have received a lot of interest and love from many people. I sincerely thank you and express my gratitude. Although this is my final message, I wanted to let you all know that the love I received over the years is greater, and I have decided to bury it deep in my heart.

— Choi Sung Bong

Two years ago, in 2021, Choi Sung Bong admitted to faking a cancer diagnosis by falsifying hospital records,  taking pictures wearing fake hospital gowns, and accepting donations. When he received hate and malicious comments from this controversy, he did a live stream on what appeared to be a bridge and stated that he didn’t want to live anymore. Eventually, the paramedics came to rescue him off of the bridge, and later, he posted an apology.

| @sungbongchoiofficial/Instagram

In his recent letter, Choi Sung Bong apologized for what happened in 2021 and shared that he had tried his best until now.

I deeply apologize to those who have suffered due to my foolish mistakes and the harm I have caused. Over the past two years, I have returned all the donations to those who requested it. Now, I am prepared to pay the price for my wrongdoings with my life. Looking back, I have tried my best to live an ordinary life, giving my utmost effort each day, and living one day like it was ten years. But in the end, I couldn’t do it.

— Choi Sung Bong

The popera singer also left the details of the location where his body can be found and shared that he has lived his life to the fullest in an attempt to find happiness.

Even though my breath may have stopped now, I have no regrets about the brilliant journey of my life. I have lived my life to the fullest and made efforts to find happiness every day. Age thirty-four. Although this life is a tragedy, may my next life have a happy ending.

— Choi Sung Bong

According to Wikitree, who asked the local police station if Choi Sung Bong had attempted suicide, a police official declined to share information: “We cannot guide you on the phone.”

Choi Sung Bong on “Immortal Songs: Singing the Legend” | KBS

In 2011, Choi Sung Bong revealed on Korea’s Got Talent that he was abandoned at an orphanage when he was three, and he lived alone as a child selling energy drinks and gum. His opera performance of “Nella Fantasia” moved the judges to tears, and he became a YouTube sensation recognized by people all over the world, including South Korea’s former president Lee Myung Park, BoA, Uhm Jung Hwa, and Justin Bieber. He was the first runner-up in the competition.

Here is Choi Sung Bong’s full letter.

Hello, this is Choi Sung Bong.

I am writing this message as a farewell to my fans, and if you are reading this, I will probably already be deceased.

Since 2011 until now, I have received a lot of interest and love from many people. I sincerely thank you and express my gratitude. Although this is my final message, I wanted to let you all know that the love I received over the years is greater, and I have decided to bury it deep in my heart.

I deeply apologize to those who have suffered due to my foolish mistakes and the harm I have caused. Over the past two years, I have returned all the donations to those who requested it. Now, I am prepared to pay the price for my wrongdoings with my life.

Looking back, I have tried my best to live an ordinary life, giving my utmost effort each day, and living one day like it was ten years. But in the end, I couldn’t do it.

My body can be found at [his home location].

I don’t know how to write a final message, so I will just write it in my own style.

Even though my breath may have stopped now, I have no regrets about the brilliant journey of my life. I have lived my life to the fullest and made efforts to find happiness every day.

Age thirty-four.

Although this life is a tragedy, may my next life have a happy ending. To all those who have suffered because of me, I sincerely apologize, and I will pay the price with my life.

To all those who have helped me, I’m sorry. I feel like I endured for as long as I could. Please forget me. And may each of you find happiness in your respective lives.

Farewell.

June 17, 2023
Choi Sung Bong