Chae Dong-ha [WSEntertainment]

Former SG Wannabe member Chae Dong-ha is presumed to have committed suicide, according to police on Friday.

Chae, 29, was found dead in his house in Seoul this morning and a few hours later, police held a briefing to inform the media of their findings.

"Firemen found Chae dead at 11:30 am today, his neck hanging from a necktie he hung to a hanger in his dressing room," police stated.

They had entered Chae's house after his manager, worried of having lost contact with Chae who was soon set to hold a concert in Japan, called the emergency number.

Police said there is "no reason for us to be suspicious of murder so far," citing testimony that Chae had suffered from depression for a long time, their discovery of his medication and there being no proof of anyone having broken into his house.

They added they will continue to investigate into the exact details of the incident while performing an autopsy on Chae's body on Monday per request of his mother who has said there was no reason he would take his own life.

Chae, who started his singing career as a solo artist in 2002, made his name known through SG Wannabe which debuted in 2004 with other members Kim Yong-jun and Kim Jin-ho.

They were highly popular and is still considered one of the top male ballad groups in Korea backed by the success of numerous songs including "Timeless," "Crime & Punishment," "While You Live" and "Slowpoke."

However, Chae was replaced by Lee Seok-hun when he left the group in early 2008 to resume his solo singing career.

While expanding his activities into Japan, he released his solo album "Essay" in September 2009 and an EP album last September but both failed to draw much attention.

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Reporter : Han Yeo-wool
Editor : Jessica Kim jesskim@
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