Well-known Korean songwriter and producer Shinsadong Tiger (real name: Lee Ho-yang), who launched girl group EXID, was found dead on Feb. 23. He was 40.
However, the Gangnam Police declined to reveal the time and place of his death.
"It is true that the Sinsa-dong tiger was found dead, but it is difficult to say the time and place," the police said, Korean media reported.
Shinsadong Tiger, aka Lee Ho-yang (Universal Music Group)
TRI.BE (X)
K-pop boy band TAN (X)
But an acquaintance of Shinsadong Tiger reportedly found him collapsed in his studio and called emergency hotline 119 but he was already dead, according to a news report.
Shinsadong Tiger was known for being the songwriter of famous songs of K-pop groups. These included 4Minute’s “Hot Issue,” T-ara’s “Roly Poly,” Apink’s “No No No” and “LUV,” EXID’s “Up and Down” and Momoland’s viral hit “BBoom BBoom” with its music video garnering 626 million as of this writing since its release in January 2018.
He launched EXID in 2012 under his AB Entertainment agency. Girl group TRI.BE was produced by Shinsadong Tiger and co-launched by Universal Music Group.
He was also responsible for songs of other K-pop groups including BEAST (now Highlight), Dal Shabet, VIXX and Fiestar.
In a statement, TR Entertainment, which manages TRI.BE, said, “We are devastated to deliver such sad and unfortunate news. Producer Sinsa-dong Tiger (Lee Ho-yang) suddenly left us on February 23, 2024.”
“For the sake of the bereaved family, who must have been more saddened by the sudden news than anyone else, we sincerely ask that you refrain from making speculations or speculative reports,” it said.
Shinsadong Tiger’s wake is at Room 31 of Seoul St. Mary's Funeral Hall. His funeral will be on Feb. 25 and he will be cremated at Hwaseong Hambaeksan Memorial Park in Gyeonggi Province in South Korea.
The agency said the funeral will be held privately with only family, friends and colleagues in attendance, according to the wishes of his family.
It said members of TRI.BE “are also in a state of great shock and sadness.” TRI.BE released the album “Diamond” on Feb. 20.
“We and all TRI.BE members will do our best to make the final album of Shinsadong Tiger, who has been with us with love from TRI.BE’s debut until now, shine brightly, so please give us your affectionate encouragement and support,” TR Entertainment added.
It was also reported that Shinsadong Tiger worked on K-pop boy band TAN’s title song “Hypertonic” for their upcoming album.