Rock star Shin Hae-chul died Monday after a massive heart attack, hospital officials said. He was 46.

The singer died at around 8:19 p.m. in Asan Medical Center in Seoul. Soon after the news was announced, Shin’s fans flocked to the Internet to pay homage to Shin and extend words of condolences to his family. 

Shin had been in critical condition at the hospital since suffering a heart attack on Oct. 22. Although he had emergency surgery after being hospitalized, he had remained in a coma.

Shin visited the hospital on Oct. 17 and Oct. 20, complaining of chest pains. He was hospitalized but released later.

He reported chest pains for a third time on Oct. 22 and was taken to hospital, where he collapsed from a heart attack.

Shin's management agency said doctors believe that ischemic brain damage caused Shin’s heart to stop.

In 2009, Shin had a stomach operation at Seoul Sky Hospital as part of a diet plan. His close friend had made accusation that malpractice committed there had caused the singer’s later heart problems.

On Oct. 24, Seoul Sky Hospital officials denied any wrongdoing on the part of the hospital, claiming that the two events were unconnected.

By Chung Joo-won and Julie Jackson
   (joowonc@heraldcorp.com)
   (juliejackson@heraldcorp.com)