Prominent K-pop composer ‘Shinsadong Tiger’ found dead, South Korean police say

Lee Ho-yang, a prominent K-pop composer and producer better known by his professional name of “Shinsadong Tiger,”speaks during a showcase in Seoul, South Korea, on April 12, 2015. Lee was found dead on Friday, Feb. 23, 2024, South Korean police said. (Yang Ji-ung/Yonhap via AP)

SEOUL, South Korea—Lee Ho-yang, a prominent K-pop composer and producer better known by his professional name of “Shinsadong Tiger,” was found dead on Friday, Feb. 23, South Korean police said.

The Seoul Metropolitan Police said Lee, 40, was discovered dead at his Seoul studio. Police gave no further details and there was no word on the cause of death.

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Local media reported that one of Lee’s acquaintances found him collapsed on the floor at the studio and called local emergency services.

Lee created a slew of hit K-pop songs such as T-ARA’s “Roly Poly,” Apink’s “NoNoNo,” EXID’s “Up&Down” and Momoland’s “Bboom Bboom.” In 2011, he also established AB Entertainment, which later debuted the girl group EXID.

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In 2017, however, he suffered financial difficulties and filed for bankruptcy protection and debt relief measures with a local court, according to Yonhap news agency.

Lee’s death marks the second of a popular South Korean celebrity in recent months.

In December, Lee Sun-kyun, a popular South Korean actor best known for his role in the Oscar-winning movie “Parasite,” was found dead in a car in Seoul, after undergoing weeks of an intense police investigation into his alleged drug use.