Eric Nam

Born in Atlanta, Georgia, on November 17, 1988, Eric Nam has made a name for himself in the South Korean entertainment industry as a versatile American singer, composer, and television personality. Since making his music debut in 2013, he has gained a great deal of notoriety. In 2016, GQ Korea named him Man of the Year; in 2017, he was included on Forbes' list of 30 Under 30 Asia; and in 2019, YouTube Music named him one of its Global Trending Artists on the Rise. After majoring in International Studies and minoring in Asian Studies at Boston College, Nam's ascent to fame started in 2011. Nam first agreed to take a job in New York as a business analyst at Deloitte Consulting, but his love of entertainment drove him to pursue a career in music. His big break occurred when he put a cover on YouTube and it went viral. This earned him an invitation to compete on "Star Audition: Birth of a Great Star 2," where he placed in the top five, from South Korean broadcaster MBC. Nam made his professional debut in the industry in 2013 with his EP "Cloud 9." He soon gained recognition for his hosting duties on Arirang TV's "After School Club," which further cemented his place in the business. Nam has put out a number of EPs and songs throughout the years, experimenting with dancehall and electropop. His first English album "Before We Begin" in 2019 and his EP "Interview" in 2016 are noteworthy releases that signaled a major change in his trajectory toward becoming a well-known pop singer-songwriter worldwide. The publication of his second English album, "There and Back Again," in 2022 was accompanied by a global tour that emphasized Nam's expanding appeal on a global scale. Nam's contributions to entertainment and music have brought him not just praise from critics but also a devoted following across the globe, paving the way for future success in both the acting and music industries.