Bang Ye-dam (Korean: 방예담; born May 7, 2002) is a South Korean singer.[1] He is best known for competing in the second installment of K-pop Star (2012–2013) where he finished as runner-up.[2] He debuted with the digital single titled "Wayo" (왜요) on June 5, 2020.[3] In August 2023, he signed with GF Entertainment as soloist and producer.[4]
Life and career
2002–2011: Early life
Bang Ye-dam was born on May 7, 2002, in Mapo District, Seoul, South Korea. Coming from a musically-oriented family, his father, Bang Dae-sik [ko] is well known for creating over forty songs for commercials and animations including the Korean-dub for Japanese anime opening songs Pokémon, Dragon Ball and more.[5][6] His mother, Jung Mi-young is well known for singing soundtracks in Korean drama Friends and film After the Show Ends (연극이 끝난 뒤).[5] His uncle Bang Yong-seok [ko] is well known as a composer and director in the commercial film industry.[7] Within his family, he is an only child. Five-year-old Bang (Korean age) participated in the opening songs for EBS' television series Bboong bboong-E (방귀대장 뿡뿡이) and the Korean-dub version of the Japanese anime Onegai! Samia-don (모래요정 바람돌이).[8] On March 5, 2007, he made his first television appearance on EBS' documentary 15 Second Fever, Hold the World with his parents.[9] During his adolescence, he attended Sin-seok Elementary School [ko] and Kwang-sung Middle School [ko].[10][11]
In August 2012, Bang auditioned for SBSK-Pop Star Season 2. During the first round, BoA complimented his vocals by comparing to a young Michael Jackson.[12]Park Jin-young praised his rhythm while Yang Hyun-suk was intrigued, commending his voice could reach the soul of the audience.[13] He placed runner-up behind sibling duo Akdong Musician (AKMU).[14] In June 2013, Yang Hyun-suk confirmed Bang had joined his label, thus, both first and second-place winners were now signed under YG Entertainment.[15] That same year, he appeared on the finale of WIN: Who is Next with Lee Hi and Akdong Musician and sang Officially Missing You on October 27.[16] Interactions with Kpop Star alumni, Lee Seung-hoon, resulted in appearances in unreleased clips from the show with Winner, formerly Team A. In January 2014, he also made a cameo appearance on Winner TV.[17]
Bang appeared on television for the first time in four years with Stray Kids (2017) alongside other fellow trainees under YG Entertainment as its representatives.[18] His name rose to the top of South Korean search portal site Naver while his performance video for "There's Nothing Holdin' Me Back" by Shawn Mendes peaked at number 1 on the Naver TV top 100 popular videos chart.[19] On YouTube the video surpassed 3 million views in 24 hours and accumulated 55 million views as of July 2023.[20][21] On October 5, 2018, he made a cameo appearance on Netflix television series YG Future Strategy Office (2018) as himself.[22]
In November 2018, Bang participated in reality survival program YG Treasure Box (2018), where 29 trainees competed to secure a spot in the new boy group. He participated as a contestant under "Team A".[23] During the finals, Bang joined the final line-up by overall placing first among the vocal team.[24] Marking the show's end, it was revealed the boy group had been named Treasure.[25]
On May 21, 2020, YG Entertainment announced ahead of Treasure's official debut, Bang would release a digital single, later revealed to be entitled "Wayo", on June 5. Notably, label-mates Kang Seung-yoon of Winner and Lee Chan-hyuk of AKMU participated in production.[26] The song was accompanied with a music video dedicated to fans who supported him since his appearance on K-pop Star Season 2. His single did not carry out any broadcasting promotions due to his upcoming preparations for debut with Treasure.[27][28] Upon release, the digital single peaked at number 10 on the Billboard World Digital Songs chart and entered the top 100 at number 98 on the Billboard Korea K-Pop 100 chart.[29][30] Bang trained at YG Entertainment for seven years before officially debuting as a member of Treasure on August 7. They released the first installment to their The First Step series with the single album The First Step: Chapter One which included the lead single entitled "Boy".[31] Five months into their career, The First Step series sold over one million copies. In result, the group earned the title "Million Seller".[32]
On November 8, 2022, YG Entertainment announced that Bang's exclusive contract with their company had been terminated and that he and fellow member Mashiho left the group. YG stated that Bang left to pursue a career in producing.[33]
2023–present: New label and Only One
In August 2023, Bang signed an exclusive contract with GF Entertainment as soloist and producer.[4]
On October 30, GF announced the release of Bang's first extended play Only One on November 23. A pre-release single "Miss You" was released on November 10, 2023.[34][35][36] On December 28, 2023, Big Naughty releasead "INFJ" featuring B.I and Yedam.
On February 22, 2024, Yedam releasead "My All" for the soundtrack of Branding in Seongsu. On March 14, 2024, it was announced that Yedam will collaborate with Winter on the single "Officially Cool". The song was released on April 2.[37]
Personal life
While attending Kwang-sung middle school, it was revealed that academically Bang placed first among the entire school.[38] Bang attended School of Performing Arts Seoul (SOPA), majoring in Practical Music located in Guro-gu, Seoul.[39] In November 2018, he revealed he ranked the highest within the entire school during mock exams for the subjects Social studies and Science, and was named a "model student" in both school and as a trainee.[40] Bang graduated from SOPA on February 5, 2021.[41]
Artistry
Influences
Through EBS' Story, Bang revealed his greatest influences towards music are Michael Jackson and his parents.[9] He has also cited G-Dragon of Big Bang as a role model.[42]
Discography
Extended plays
List of extended plays, with selected chart positions and sales
^"트레저 방예담, 데뷔 앞서 솔로곡 발표". sports.khan.co.kr (in Korean). May 27, 2020. Retrieved April 14, 2021.
^ abRyu, Ye-ji (August 24, 2023). "YG 떠난 방예담, GF엔터서 솔로 도약" [Bang Yedam left YG, took a solo leap at GF Entertainment]. Ten Asia (in Korean). Retrieved August 25, 2023 – via Naver.
^Son Ye-ji (November 22, 2017). "[TEN 초점] 방예담, 잘 자란 'K팝스타'" [[TEN Focus] Bang Ye-dam, a Well-grown 'K-pop Star']. Tenasia (in Korean). Retrieved April 25, 2021.
^Kim Yun-ji (November 25, 2017). "YG 방예담, 300만뷰 돌파…최래성도 온다" [YG's Bang Ye-dam Surpasses 3 Million Views... Choi Rae-sung is Also Coming]. eDaily (in Korean). Retrieved April 25, 2021.
^Kim Eun-ae (May 8, 2020). "[단독] YG 트레저 방예담, 역대급 생일 광고이벤트..中 대형빌딩 장식 '리사 이어 두번째'" [[Exclusive] YG Treasure's Bang Ye-dam, a Birthday Advertisement Event on a Different Level.. Chinese Large-scale Building Decoration 'Second after Lisa']. OSEN (in Korean). Retrieved April 25, 2021.
^Lee Seung-hoon (January 20, 2021). "YG 트레저, 앨범 누적 판매량 총 100만장 돌파...글로벌 슈퍼루키 파워 증명 [공식]" [YG Treasure's cumulative album sales exceed 1 Million copies ... Global super rookie power proved [Official]]. OSEN (in Korean). Retrieved January 20, 2021.
^Kang, Da-yoon (March 14, 2024). "방예담, 에스파 윈터 만난다…4월 2일 첫 듀엣곡 발표 [공식] - 마이데일리" [Bang Ye-dam, Aespa's Winter will meet... on April 2, their first duet [Official] - MyDaily]. MyDaily (in Korean). Archived from the original on March 18, 2024. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
^Im Young-jin (March 31, 2013). "'K팝스타2' 방예담, 롤모델 GD와 깜짝 만남 '얼음'" ['K-pop Star 2' Bang Ye-dam, Surprise Encounter with Role Model GD]. OSEN (in Korean). Retrieved May 8, 2021.
^Jang, Woo-young (November 2, 2021). "트레저, 새 웹드라마 '남고괴담' 단체 메인 포스터 공개" [Treasure Reveals Promotional Poster for their New Drama, 'The Mysterious Class' School']. The Chosun Ilbo (in Korean). Archived from the original on November 21, 2021. Retrieved January 23, 2022.