K-Pop Composer Lee Ho-yang Found Dead

Lee Ho-yang - a prominent K-pop composer and producer popularly known by his professional name "Shinsadong Tiger" - was found dead at his Seoul studio on Friday (Feb. 23).

The Seoul Metropolitan Police did not provide further details on the circumstances and cause of the 40-year-old hitmaker's death.

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

Upon arrival, ambulance crews found him unresponsive, and he was declared dead at the scene.

(Photo: Yang Ji-ung/Yonhap via AP)

K-Pop Hitmaker

The Associated Press reported that Lee was known for creating hit K-pop songs, such as T-ARA's "Roly Poly," Apink's "NoNoNo," EXID's "Up&Down" and Momoland's "Bboom Bboom."

Lee also established AB Entertainment, which debuted the girl group EXID. However, according to South Korean news agency Yonhap, financial difficulties in 2017 forced him to file for bankruptcy protection and debt relief measures with a local court.

Shinsadong Tiger was the second South Korean celebrity to die in recent months after the death of Lee Sun-kyun, who was known for his acting in the Oscar-winning movie "Parasite." The actor was found dead in a car in the South Korean capital after undergoing weeks of an intense police investigation into his alleged drug use.