Cho Hyung-gon, 015B bassist, dead at 52

Cho Hyung-gon [MBC]

Cho Hyung-gon, 015B bassist, died on July 25 at the age of 52. The cause of death wasn't disclosed to the public.

The news of Cho’s death was first released via 015B's Twitter.

“Although the news is so sudden, we hope all of you can pay tribute for the deceased,” the post read.

“I’m still upset for the departure of a colleague who’s been with us during beautiful days,” group leader Jang Ho-il wrote on Instagram. “Hyung-gon, I still vividly remember when we would all gather in your room to practice.”

Cho became a musician by participating in MBC's "Campus Music Festival" with Shin Hae-chul and his band Muhangwedo. The band took top prize with their song “To You.”

After the band disbanded in 1990, Cho, Jang and Jeong Seok-won formed 015B, where he was active until 1993.

He then left the group and studied in Berklee College of Music. After returning to Korea, he taught music at universities. Recently, he was appointed as an adjunct professor of Baekseok University.

The funeral service is being held at the Catholic University of Korea, Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital in southern Seoul. Cho will be buried on Monday at Bundang Memorial Park in Seongnam, Gyeonggi.

BY LEE JAE-LIM [lee.jaelim@joongang.co.kr]