Eric Nam

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Eric Nam
Eric Nam for Marie Claire Korea, March 2017 05.png
Eric Nam for Marie Claire Korea, in 2019.
Born (1988-11-17) November 17, 1988 (age 33)
Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.
EducationBoston College
Occupation
  • Singer
  • songwriter
  • host
  • content creator
Musical career
Genres
Years active2011–present
Labels
WebsiteOfficial website
Korean name
Hangul
Hanja
Revised RomanizationNam Yun-do
McCune–ReischauerNam Yundo

Eric Nam (Korean: 에릭남; born November 17, 1988) is an American singer, songwriter, television host and content creator of Korean descent. He was named "2016 Man Of The Year" by GQ Korea,[1] honored "30 Under 30 Asia 2017" by Forbes,[2] and YouTube Music's Global Trending "Artist on the Rise."[3]

Early life[]

Eric Nam was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia, United States. He has two younger brothers, Eddie and Brian Nam, both of whom are soccer players. Eddie played varsity soccer for Wofford College and Northeastern University,[4] whereas Brian played soccer for Columbia University.[5] Nam graduated from The Lovett School in 2007[6] and from Boston College in 2011 with a major in International Studies, a minor in Asian Studies,[7] and spent a year abroad at Peking University in Beijing, China.[citation needed] He had accepted a position as a business analyst at Deloitte Consulting in New York City, before deferring to participate in microfinance initiatives in India. After this, he decided to pursue a career in entertainment.[7] Nam is fluent in English, Korean, and proficient in Spanish.[citation needed]

Career[]

2011–2012: Pre-Debut[]

Following a viral YouTube cover, MBC invited Nam to Seoul to compete on the popular program, "Star Audition:Birth of a Great Star 2", a show similar to X Factor.[7][8] After eight months, he placed within the top five contestants and jump-started his career in South Korea.

On September 25, 2012, Nam signed under B2M Entertainment as a solo artist.[9]

2013–2015: Debut with Cloud 9 and hosting[]

On January 23, 2013, Nam made his debut with the release of his first EP Cloud 9 with lead single "Heaven's Door".[citation needed]

From 2013 to 2016, Nam was the MC of Arirang TV's After School Club and its spin-off, The ASC After Show, an interactive show for K-pop artists and their fans, broadcast in 188 countries. The live shows regularly trend worldwide number one on Twitter. He left to focus on his music career.

Nam has created his niche as the "go-to" personality for international celebrity interviews in South Korea through his role on MBC's Section TV – Entertainment Relay. Nam's interviews, both international and Korean, have garnered rave reviews due to his wit and ability to connect with interviewees on a personal level; they have also become viral hits, regularly taking over Korea's real-time issue charts. He thus became a way for the American and Korean media to interact with one another and their respective actors and actresses.[citation needed]

In April 2014, Nam released his first digital single, "우우 (Ooh Ooh)", and he sold out stage at the Seoul Jazz Festival alongside names such as Chris Botti, Damien Rice, Jamie Cullum, Paolo Nutini, and Craig David. In December, he released his second digital single "Melt My Heart".[10]

In February 2015, Nam was featured on Amber Liu's EP Beautiful on the song "I Just Wanna". In March, he released his single "I'm OK" and its accompanying music video.[11] In May, Nam released his single, "Dream", featuring 15&'s Park Ji-min for Charity Project.[12]

In December 2015, Nam signed an exclusive contract with CJ E&M.[13]

2016–2017: Interview and US release[]

Nam released his second EP, Interview with the lead single "Good For You" on March 24, 2016.[14] That same month, he also took part in SM Entertainment's digital music channel SM Station by releasing "Spring Love", a duet track with Red Velvet's Wendy.[15]

On April 16, 2016, Nam hosted and performed at SNL Korea, receiving one of the highest ratings of the season.[citation needed] In late April, Nam joined the virtual marriage show We Got Married with Solar from Mamamoo as his partner.[16]

On June 10, 2016, Nam released his first U.S. single, "Into You", in collaboration with the electronic band KOLAJ. "Into You" premiered worldwide on Beats 1 Radio and The Fader, subsequently leading to a number one charting on Hype Machine. Later that month, Nam headlined KCON NY 2016 and performed five of his songs, including "Into You", to a sold-out Prudential Center. He then followed up on the success of "Into You" by releasing his digital single "Can't Help Myself" in July 2016, with the lyrics written by Epik High's Tablo and featuring AOMG rapper Loco. Nam also headlined KCON LA 2016 and performed "Can't Help Myself" and "Into You" with KOLAJ to a sold-out Staples Center.

Nam became the host of the new Mnet's talk show Yang and Nam Show with comedian Yang Se-hyung in November 2016. Additionally, he premiered his collaboration with Grammy award-winning producer Timbaland titled "Body" at the 2016 Mnet Asian Music Awards.

In 2017, Nam collaborated with Gallant and Tablo on the single release of "Cave Me In". "Cave Me In" premiered worldwide on Zayn Lowe's Beats 1 Radio Show and was trending globally on YouTube and Facebook for over 72 hours upon release. The music video was shot in Hong Kong.[17] He also featured on Seohyun's WP Don't Say No on the song "Hello", and collaborated with Jeon So-mi for the release of the single "You, Who?". Furthermore, Nam featured on DJ / dance producer Arty's single, "Idea of You".

Nam performed three sold-out shows in New York City and Atlanta in August 2017, featuring Alec Benjamin as his opener. These shows sold out in one minute during the presale. Due to overwhelming demand, Nam added the date in Atlanta and increased the venue size in New York City.[18]

2018–2019: Honestly and North American Tour[]

At the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea, Nam was named as an Honorary Ambassador.[19] Additionally, Nam was featured on American broadcasting network NBC primetime, in which he provided an in-depth look at K-pop with interviewers Johnny Weir and Tara Lipinski.[20]

On April 11, 2018, Nam released his third EP Honestly. Fronted by singles "Honestly" and "Potion", the latter of which features rapper Woodie GoChild and was released ahead of the album on April 9. Honestly plays up the artist's synth and electro-pop leanings while bringing in some dancehall and reggaeton influences. Nam worked with numerous songwriters on the album, including Brian Lee, Tablo, Jake Torrey, and more.[21] Additionally, Nam stated that the members of BTS helped provide him with numerous feedback as he was creating the album.[22][23] In the first week, the album debuted at number six on the Billboard World Album charts.[24]

From June 5 to June 29, Nam embarked on his 2018 North American Honestly Tour, which encompassed 15 shows in 14 cities. The tour featured special guests Loote[25]

Additionally, Nam released the song "Float", which he co-wrote with the producer Kool Kojak. The song was picked up by Sony Pictures and featured in the official soundtrack for the movie Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation. Upon release, the movie was number one at the US box office.[26][27]

Nam also featured on a remix for "Your Side of the Bed" with Island Records pop duo Loote.[28]

On July 21, 2018, Nam performed at We the Fest in Jakarta, Indonesia. He was the only Korean act on the lineup.[29]

2019–2020: Before We Begin, World Tour, and The Other Side[]

On May 8, 2019, Nam released the digital single, “Runaway.”[30]

On April 17, 2019, he debuted his podcast show titled K-Pop Daebak w/ Eric Nam.[31] With episodes releasing every Monday, it quickly gained a sizable audience. K-Pop Daebak was named “New & Noteworthy” and “Best Listens of 2019” by Apple Podcasts, as well as “Top 10 Music Podcasts” by Spotify in 2019.

On November 14, 2019, Nam released his first English album Before We Begin.[32]

On December 10, 2019, Nam released his second podcast, I Think You're Dope w/ Eric Nam. The show reached number one on the Music Podcast Charts in over 25 countries including the US, U.K., and South Korea.

On January 9, 2020, Nam began his first official World Tour spanning 34 cities across Asia, North America, and Latin America. In March 2021, Nam announced the cancellation of the Latin American leg of his World Tour due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Los Angeles dates of the North American leg of the tour were postponed to September 10 and 12, 2020, before those shows were cancelled as well.[33]

On July 30, 2020, Nam released his fourth EP, The Other Side. Nam said of the album in an interview "I think this one is a little more playful, a little more upbeat, a little brighter." The tracks "The Other Side" and the lead single "Paradise" were hits in South Korea and other countries around Asia. Day6 vocalist Young K co-wrote four of the songs with Nam.[34][35]

2021–present: There and Back Again[]

On May 21, 2021, Nam released the single "Echo" in collaboration with Indian singer and composer Armaan Malik and Indian-American composer Kshmr.[36] On June 4, it was announced that Eric Nam's contract with CJ ENM had expired.[37]

On October 15, 2021, Nam released the new digital single, "I Don't Know You Anymore," which marked his first independent release.[38]

On October 19, 2021, Nam announced his There and Back Again World Tour 2022.[39]

On November 12, 2021, Nam released another digital single, "Any Other Way".[40]

On January 7, 2022, Nam will release his second English album There and Back Again, which includes the singles "I Don't Know You Anymore" and "Any Other Way".[41]

Discography[]

Main article: Eric Nam discography
  • Before We Begin (2019)
  • There and Back Again (2022)

Filmography[]

Television[]

Year Network Title Role Note
2011-2012 MBC Birth of A Great Singer 2 Contestant
2013-2016 Arirang TV After School Club Host Left to focus on music career.[42]
2014 MBC Section TV
2014–2015 We Got Married 4 Panelist
2015 King of Mask Singer

(May 3, Ep 5)

Contestant As "Hello Mr Monkey"
2015–present Olive TV No Oven Dessert 2 Host
2016 MBC We Got Married

(April 9-November 19, Ep 316–348)

Cast Member with Mamamoo's Solar[43]
tvN Daddy and I

(June 2-June 30, Ep 1–5)

SBS Law of the Jungle in Mongolia

(October 7-October 28, Ep 234–237)

2016-2017 MNET Yang and Nam Show

(November 18-April 13)

Host
2017–2018 MBC Wizard of Nowhere

(Ep 15 - 35)

Member
2018 KBS2 Battle Trip

(Ep 85–86)

Special MC [44]
2018–2019 Grandma's Restaurant in Samcheong-dong

(Ep 1 - 12)

Employee

Awards and nominations[]

Forbes[]

Year Nominated work Category Result
2017 Himself Forbes 30 Under 30 Won

GQ Korea[]

Year Nominated work Category Result
2016 Himself GQ Korean Men of the Year Won

KBS Entertainment Awards[]

Year Nominated work Category Result
2018 Grandma's Restaurant in Samcheong-dong Best Newcomer Award - Variety Won

MBC Entertainment Awards[]

Year Nominated work Category Result
2016 We Got Married Best Couple (with Solar) Won

Mnet Asian Music Awards[]

Year Nominated work Category Result
2016 "Spring Love" Best Collaboration (with Wendy) Nominated
"Good For You" Best Vocal Performance – Male Solo Nominated

References[]

  1. ^ "Eric Nam named one of GQ Korea's 'Men of the Year'". SBS PopAsia. Retrieved February 17, 2019.
  2. ^ "Eric Nam features in Forbes '30 Under 30 Asia' list". kpopherald.koreaherald.com. Retrieved February 17, 2019.
  3. ^ Nam), 에릭남 (Eric (December 26, 2019). "I am trending right now as YouTube Music's "Artist On The Rise"! This is crazy...see y'all on tour. #CONGRATULATIONSpic.twitter.com/zpQnfJyVnK". @ericnamofficial. Retrieved March 23, 2020.
  4. ^ "Eddie Nam - Men's Soccer". Northeastern University Athletics. Retrieved August 14, 2020.
  5. ^ "Brian Nam - Men's Soccer". Columbia University Athletics. Retrieved August 14, 2020.
  6. ^ "Korean Singer Eric Nam Discusses His Struggles With Racism In The United States". KpopStarz. October 24, 2015.
  7. ^ a b c "Evening with Eric Nam". Boston College. January 14, 2017. Retrieved June 19, 2021.
  8. ^ Aran, Isha (June 30, 2016). "Eric Nam could become the first K-pop artist to make it big in America". Splinter. Retrieved June 19, 2021.
  9. ^ Ho, Stewart (September 25, 2012). "'The Great Birth 2's Eric Nam Joins Lee Hyori's B2M Entertainment". CJ E&M enewsWorld. Archived from the original on June 20, 2015. Retrieved February 24, 2015.
  10. ^ Jung, Hee-seo (December 11, 2014). "에릭남 신곡 '녹여줘', 절친★ 응원 봇물 '훈훈'". Xports News (in Korean). Retrieved June 19, 2021.
  11. ^ Danbi Hong, Grace (March 5, 2015). "[Video] Eric Nam Insists He′s Alright in ′I′m OK′ MV". CJ E&M enewsWorld. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved March 6, 2015.
  12. ^ Kim, Ye-na (May 19, 2015). "'작곡가 그룹' 스윗튠, 기부 프로젝트 시작…에릭남 with 박지민". TV Report (in Korean). Retrieved May 14, 2021.
  13. ^ Jung, Ji-won (December 23, 2015). "[단독]'대세' 에릭남, CJ E&M과 전속계약 체결". Xports News (in Korean). Retrieved April 29, 2021.
  14. ^ "Eric Nam is 'Good For You' in his long-awaited comeback MV!". Allkpop.com. March 23, 2016. Retrieved May 19, 2016.
  15. ^ "Red Velvet's Wendy and Eric Nam Featured in Next SM STATION Track". Soompi. March 2, 2016. Retrieved May 19, 2016.
  16. ^ Jang, Ah-reum (April 2, 2016). "'우결4' 측 "에릭남���솔라, 오늘(2일) 첫 촬영 중"(공식입장)". News 1 (in Korean). Retrieved April 29, 2019.
  17. ^ Herman, Tamar (January 27, 2017). "Tablo & Eric Nam Discuss Gallant Collab "Cave Me In"". Billboard. Retrieved February 4, 2017.
  18. ^ "Eric Nam Plays a Sold Out show at Irving Plaza". AXS. Retrieved April 11, 2018.
  19. ^ Lee, Ji-hyun (January 26, 2018). "에릭남 "2018년 지겨울 정도로 많이 활동하려고요" [화보]". Sports Chosun (in Korean). Retrieved April 29, 2021.
  20. ^ "Eric Nam teaches Johnny Weir & Tara Lipinski about K-Pop at the 'Pyeongchang Olympics' on NBC!". Allkpop.com. Retrieved April 11, 2018.
  21. ^ Herman, Tamar (April 11, 2018). "Eric Nam Releases Romantic Electro-Pop 'Honestly' EP". Billboard. Retrieved April 11, 2018.
  22. ^ "에릭남 "방탄소년단 슈가, 신곡 듣고 '짱'이라고 감탄해줘 확신 생겼다"". yhnews (in Korean). April 11, 2018. Retrieved April 29, 2021.
  23. ^ Lee, So-dam (April 11, 2018). "'컴백' 에릭남 "방탄소년단 등 아이돌 20명에 조언 얻어" [종합②]". entertain.naver.com (in Korean). Osen. Retrieved April 29, 2021.
  24. ^ "World Albums Chart EP". Billboard. April 29, 2018. Retrieved April 29, 2018.
  25. ^ Herman, Tamar (April 5, 2018). "K-Pop Star Eric Nam Announces 'Honestly' North American Tour". Billboard.
  26. ^ "Eric Nam Wants to 'FLOAT' in New Song for 'Hotel Transylvania 3' Soundtrack: Premiere". Billboard. Retrieved August 3, 2018.
  27. ^ D'Alessandro, Anthony (July 15, 2018). "Why Dwayne Johnson Pic 'Skyscraper' Went Up In Flames At The B.O. With $25M+". Deadline. Retrieved August 3, 2018.
  28. ^ "Loote & Eric Nam Team Up For Epic 'Your Side of the Bed' Remix: Listen". Billboard. Retrieved August 3, 2018.
  29. ^ "Eric Nam To Fire Up Indonesia With His Performance On "We The Fest 2018!"". hellokpop. June 14, 2018. Retrieved August 3, 2018.
  30. ^ Lee, Soodam (May 8, 2019). ""둘만의 밤으로 '런어웨이'"…에릭남, 국민남친의 달콤한 일탈 [퇴근길 신곡]". OSEN (in Korean). Retrieved May 19, 2021.
  31. ^ Tan, Pakkee (April 23, 2019). "Eric Nam Launches New Podcast; Talks Upcoming BTS Collaboration". E! Online. Retrieved June 19, 2021.
  32. ^ Herman, Tamar (November 14, 2019). "'Before We Begin' EP Is Just a Taste of What Eric Nam Has to Offer U.S. Music Industry: 'We Still Have So Much to Do'". Billboard. Retrieved June 19, 2021.
  33. ^ Eric Nam [@ericnamofficial] (March 13, 2020). "Los Angeles - Postponement Update" (Tweet). Retrieved June 19, 2021 – via Twitter.
  34. ^ "에릭남, 30일 컴백 확정…여름 휴가송". YTN (in Korean). July 10, 2020. Retrieved June 19, 2021.
  35. ^ "K-Pop Phenom Eric Nam Talks New Mini-Album 'The Other Side' And Life As One Of Korea's Biggest Stars". Recording Academy. Recording Academy. Retrieved August 14, 2020.
  36. ^ Pawa, Anjana (May 21, 2021). "Inside Armaan Malik, Eric Nam, and KSHMR's Imaginative "Echo"". Teen Vogue. Retrieved June 19, 2021.
  37. ^ "[단독] 'FA' 에릭남, 스톤뮤직과 지난해 계약만료…뒤늦게 알려져". Joy News (in Korean). June 4, 2021. Retrieved June 4, 2021.
  38. ^ ""I Don't Know You Anymore" release". Twitter. Retrieved October 14, 2021.
  39. ^ "There and Back Again World Tour 2022". Twitter. Retrieved October 26, 2021.
  40. ^ ""Any Other Way" release". Twitter. Retrieved November 4, 2021.
  41. ^ "Eric Nam announces sophomore album with new single 'Any Other Way'". NME. November 12, 2021. Retrieved November 12, 2021.
  42. ^ Sung-mi, Ahn. "Singer Eric Nam leaves 'After School Club'". K-POP Herald. K-POP Herald. Retrieved April 12, 2016.
  43. ^ C, Hong. "Eric Nam And Solar Say Goodbye To 'We Got Married' In The Language Of Flowers". Soompi. Soompi. Retrieved November 19, 2016.
  44. ^ "[DAY컷] '배틀트립' 오늘 에릭남 스페셜MC…이지혜·붐 극과극 리액션". sports.donga.com (in Korean). April 7, 2018. Retrieved June 5, 2018.

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