Eric Nam

2011–2012: Career beginnings

After a cover Nam posted on YouTube gained media attention, South Korean broadcasting company MBC invited Nam to Seoul to compete on the program Star Audition: Birth of a Great Star 2, a show similar to the music competition television series The X Factor.^[8][9] His final placement within the top five contestants started his career in South Korea.

On September 25, 2012, Nam signed with B2M Entertainment as a solo artist.^[10]

2013–2015: Debut with Cloud 9 and hosting

On January 23, 2013, Nam made his debut with the release of his first extended play (EP) Cloud 9 with lead single "Heaven's Door".^[11] That year, Nam also joined Arirang TV's interactive show After School Club and its spin-off, The ASC After Show, as MC. He left the program in 2016, to focus on his music career. His appearances on After School Club and MBC's Section TV Entertainment Relay were positively received and helped established Nam as one of the "go-to" personalities for international celebrity interviews in South Korea.^[12]

In April 2014, Nam released his first digital single, "우우 (Ooh Ooh)", and performed at the Seoul Jazz Festival alongside artists such as Chris Botti, Damien Rice, Jamie Cullum, Paolo Nutini, and Craig David. In December, Nam released his second digital single, "Melt My Heart".^[13]

In February 2015, Nam featured on Amber Liu's song "I Just Wanna" from her EP Beautiful. In March, he released the single "I'm OK" and its accompanying music video.^[14] In May, Nam released the single "Dream", featuring 15&'s Park Ji-min, for charity.^[15] In December, Nam signed an exclusive contract with CJ E&M.^[16]

2016–2017: Interview and first US releases

Nam released his second EP, Interview, with the lead single "Good For You" on March 24, 2016.^[17] That same month, he also took part in SM Entertainment's digital music channel SM Station, releasing the duet "Spring Love" with Red Velvet's Wendy.^[18] On April 16, Nam hosted and performed on Saturday Night Live Korea, receiving one of the highest ratings of the season.^{[citation needed]} Later that month, Nam joined the virtual marriage show We Got Married with Mamamoo's Solar as his partner.^[19]

On June 10, Nam released his first US single, "Into You", a collaboration with electronic band KOLAJ. "Into You" premiered worldwide on Beats 1 Radio and The Fader, charting at a number one on Hype Machine. Later that month, Nam headlined KCON NY 2016 and performed five songs, including "Into You", to a sold-out crowd at Prudential Center. He then released his digital single "Can't Help Myself" in July 2016, with lyrics written by Epik High's Tablo and featuring 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 Mnet talk show Yang and Nam Show alongside comedian Yang Se-hyung in November 2016. Additionally, he premiered his collaboration with producer Timbaland, "Body", at the 2016 Mnet Asian Music Awards.

In 2017, Nam collaborated with singer Gallant and rapper Tablo on the single "Cave Me In". The song premiered worldwide on Beats 1 Radio and trended globally on YouTube and Facebook for over 72 hours after its release. The music video was shot in Hong Kong.^[20] Nam also featured on Seohyun's "Hello" from her EP Don't Say No and collaborated with Jeon Somi on the single "You, Who?". Furthermore, Nam featured on DJ and record producer Arty's single "Idea of You". Nam performed three sold-out shows in New York City and Atlanta in August 2017, with singer Alec Benjamin as his opening act. The shows sold out in one minute during presale; due to overwhelming demand, Nam added the date in Atlanta and increased the venue size in New York City.^[21]

2018: Honestly and North American tour

At the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea, Nam was named an Honorary Ambassador.^[22] He appeared on the primetime Olympic broadcast of American television network NBC, providing an in-depth look at K-pop with interviewers Johnny Weir and Tara Lipinski.^[23]

On April 11, 2018, Nam released his third EP, Honestly. Led by singles "Honestly" and "Potion", the latter of which featured rapper Woodie GoChild and was released before the album on April 9. Honestly leaned into synth and electropop while including some dancehall and reggaeton influences. Nam worked with numerous songwriters on the EP, including Brian Lee, Tablo, and Jake Torrey.^[24] Additionally, Nam stated that the members of BTS helped provide him with feedback as he was creating the record.^[25][26] Honestly debuted at number six on the Billboard World Album charts.^[27] In June, Nam embarked on the Honestly Tour, which encompassed 15 shows in 14 cities across North America and featured pop duo Loote as special guest.^[28] On July 21, Nam performed at We the Fest in Jakarta, Indonesia, he was the only Korean act in the line-up that year.^[29]

Later that summer, Nam released the song "Float", which he co-wrote with producer Kool Kojak. The song was selected by Sony Pictures for the official soundtrack for the film Hotel Transylvania 3: Summer Vacation, which reached number one at the US box office upon release.^[30][31] Nam also featured on a remix for "Your Side of the Bed" with Loote.^[32]

2019–2020: Before We Begin, world tour, and The Other Side

On May 8, 2019, Nam released the digital single "Runaway".^[33] On April 17, he debuted his weekly podcast show, K-Pop Daebak w/ Eric Nam.^[34] The show 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, Nam released his first English album Before We Begin,^[35] which marked the start of a new sound and "his transition from K-pop star to global pop singer-songwriter."^[36] He noted in an interview with Highsnobiety that he felt "much more expressive in English" since he believed that his previous process of translating English lyrics to Korean caused his music to "lose so much of [the] sentiment" he intended to convey.^[37] Nam released his second podcast show, I Think You're Dope w/ Eric Nam, on December 10. The show reached number one on the Music Podcast Charts in over 25 countries, including the US, UK, and South Korea.

On January 9, 2020, Nam embarked on his first official world tour, the Before We Begin World Tour. The tour was set to visit 34 cities across Asia, North America, and Latin America; however, in March 2020, Nam announced the cancellation of the final two Los Angeles shows and Latin American leg due to the COVID-19 pandemic.^[38] On July 30, 2020, Nam released his fourth Korean EP, The Other Side. In an interview, he described the record as "a little more playful, a little more upbeat, a little brighter" than his previous releases. The title track "The Other Side" and lead single "Paradise" saw success in South Korea and other Asian countries. Day6 vocalist Young K co-wrote four of the songs with Nam.^[39][40]

2021–2022: There and Back Again

On May 21, 2021, Nam released the single "Echo", a collaboration with Indian singer and composer Armaan Malik and Indian-American composer Kshmr.^[41] On June 4, it was confirmed that Nam's contract with CJ E&M had expired.^[42] On October 15, Nam released the digital single "I Don't Know You Anymore", his first independent release.^[43] On October 19, Nam announced his There and Back Again World Tour 2022 and released the digital single "Any Other Way" on November 12.^[44][45]

On January 7, 2022, Nam released his second English album There and Back Again, which included the previously released singles "I Don't Know You Anymore" and "Any Other Way".^[46] Nam began the There And Back Again World Tour in Phoenix on January 24, visiting cities throughout North America, Europe, and the South Pacific.^[47] He embarked on an Asia tour extension that included six cities across Southeast Asia, concluding on November 20 in Seoul.^[48]

2023–2024: There and Back Again (Reimagined), House on a Hill, and Lollapalooza India

On March 3, 2023, Nam released There and Back Again (Reimagined), a re-recording of all the songs that he had released on his There and Back Again album in 2022. He offered insights on re-recording the songs with the intention to give them a second life in today's increasingly short attention spans when it comes to music. Working with producer docskim to bring cinematic arrangements, Nam hoped to encourage listeners to revisit the tracks and find new depth in them. "I feel like art has been so short, so I wanted to give people a reason to go back to some of the songs I think were great because they weren't the single."^[49]

On September 8, 2023, Nam released his third English album, House on a Hill, which included four music videos and a short film, marking his directorial debut. Nam shared that the inspiration behind the first single, "House on a Hill," and subsequent tracks, "Don't Leave Yet," "Only for a Moment," "I Wish I Wasn't Me," and more centered on facing an existential crisis. He was self-reflecting on what he was feeling and thinking about life.^[50]

Following the new album release, Nam started his House on a Hill World Tour in Florida on September 21, making stops throughout North America, Latin America, Asia, Europe, and Oceania that spanned from 2023 to 2024. He completed his tour with an Encore show in Los Angeles at the Teragram Ballroom on May 4, 2024. Notable guests included Em Beihold, Lyn Lapid, and Gallant. Soon after, Nam released House on a Hill (Deluxe) on May 10, with four new tracks "In My Mind" with Zak Abel, "Strawberries," "Wish I Didn't Care" with Lyn Lapid, and "Hypochondriac".^[51]

During his House on a Hill World Tour, Nam performed at Lollapalooza India on January 28, 2024, at the Mahalaxmi Race Course in Mumbai as part of the two-day festival, featuring artists such as Sting, Jonas Brothers, Halsey, and The Rose. He was part of the line-up on the second day, playing on one of the main stages and performing his collaboration with Armaan Malik "Echo" for the first time together.^[52] Rolling Stone India did a cover story on Nam, discussing his thoughts of performing in India and connecting with his fans there to share his music and journey.^[53]

On August 22, 2024, Nam collaborated with Japanese rock band, Novelbright, on a new single, Everywhere I Go, released in English and Japanese versions, and released a music video which they filmed together.^[54]

In addition to music-related activities, Nam made his official acting debut in the feature, Transplant. The film premiered at the Chicago International Film Festival with two screenings on October 18 and 19. Nam was in attendance with writer-director Jason Park and producer Nina Yang Bongiovi.^[55] The film was also screened at the Philadelphia Film Festival and Virginia Film Festival.

2025–present: Live From London, Transplant, acting projects, and The Traitors

Having livestreamed the London concert of his House on a Hill World Tour, Nam released the Live From London album digitally on April 16, 2025. The full concert premiered on his YouTube channel on June 13^[56] and a vinyl album was released on September 12.

On the acting front, Transplant continued making its film festival circuit in various cities, including the Manchester Film Festival, where the film was screened on March 22, 2025, and received the Best International Feature Award.^[57] On May 2, the film was part of the line-up at the Los Angeles Asian Pacific Film Festival. Nam attended the screening with Jason Park, Nina Yang Bongiovi, and fellow cast member, Michelle Okkyung Lee, who plays the role of Nam's mother in the psychological thriller.^[58] On August 3, Transplant was the Centerpiece Presentation at the Asian American International Film Festival in New York.^[59]

Furthering his acting projects, Nam was announced to voice the adult role of Aang in the animated film, Avatar: Aang, The Last Airbender on May 16, 2025.^[60] The film is slated for release in October 2026, on Paramount+.^[61]

On June 13, 2025, Nam was announced as one of the contestants competing on the fourth season of The Traitors US on Peacock.^[62] This was Nam's first appearance on a reality television show in America. The season premiered on January 8, 2026, with the first three episodes being released on the same day. Nam was originally a "Faithful" contestant until being recruited as a "Traitor" in episode 9. The season concluded on February 26, with Nam finishing in third place behind Maura Higgins and Rob Rausch. Nam attended the Season 4 Premiere Watch Party held at The Abbey in West Hollywood.^[63]

On July 22, 2025, it was announced that Nam had landed the leading role in a K-pop film alongside Ji-young Yoo (voice actress of Zoey in KPop Demon Hunters). This film is a joint production between Paramount Pictures and HYBE America, directed by Benson Lee and scheduled to be released on February 12, 2027. The film is expected to be the first major American studio film shot entirely in South Korea.^[64] Additional talents had joined the cast,^[65][66] and filming had been completed in November 2025.

On October 3, 2025, Nam was in talks to be cast in the thriller, Loser, Radio Silence's feature adaptation of the short film by Colleen McGuinness.^[67] He has since been confirmed for the role and filming had been completed in December 2025.

On January 5, 2026, Nam was announced as an artist collaboration with CeREELs' new animated series BIRD, lending his vocals to a new song featured in the animation. This series is from the studio behind Ella Gator, created with indie animator, Hoazi.^[68]

Nam appeared at Nasdaq along with several cast members of The Traitors US season 4 to ring the closing bell on January 21, 2026.^[69]

On March 3, 2026, Nam released a new single entitled How The Fire Started with a music video featuring fellow cast members from The Traitors US, including Rob Rausch, Maura Higgins, Ron Funches, Natalie Anderson, and Yam Yam Arocho.^[70] This song signifies Nam's return to music as he prepares for the release of several singles followed by a full album release this summer and an upcoming world tour.^[71]

Awards and achievements

Nam has been known for being a mental health advocate. As the co-founder and creative director of DIVE Studios, he launched the mental wellness self-care app, Mindset. He was recognized in 2023 as one of the recipients of the TIME100 Impact Awards for his contributions in raising awareness on mental health issues.^[72]

In June 2024, Nam was the Voice of Mental Health Award Honoree at The Jed Foundation Annual Gala. Nam shared, "Mental health is universal; it impacts how every one of us shows up in the world. Prioritizing self-care and valuing our mental health as much as our physical health is essential to being the best version of ourselves. There should be no shame in nurturing all aspects of our well-being."^[73]

DIVE Studios was honored the ADCOLOR CATALYST Award in 2024, and Nam received the award on behalf of everyone at DIVE in November 2024.^[74]

Other television appearances

In 2020, Nam appeared in Phil Rosenthal's Netflix food travel show, Somebody Feed Phil, in the season 3 Seoul episode, where they explored Korean food such as tteok-bokki, fried chicken and beer (chimaek), and crab.^[75]

In 2021, Nam was seen as a guest on Padma Lakshmi's Taste the Nation on Hulu as part of the "K-Town Countdown (Holiday Edition)," where he shared an easy way of making Korean sweet pancakes (hotteok).^[76]

In 2024, Nam and Reid Scott guested on Chrissy & Dave Dine Out's "Those Wings Tho!" episode in the third episode of season 1 along with Chrissy Teigen, David Chang, and Joel Kim Booster, Nam and Scott examined cultural identity through the food at Yangban Society, a modern American restaurant merging the Korean and Jewish upbringing of chefs Katianna and John Hong.^[77]

In 2025, DIVE Studios was featured on Eugene Levy's The Reluctant Traveler "Trendsetting in South Korea" episode in the fifth episode of season 3 on Apple TV. Nam appeared with Ashley Choi, Peniel Shin, and JUNNY, who are hosts of the DIVE podcast, GET REAL.^[78]

Brand partnerships

From February to April 2025, Nam was the host of an original Korean food truck series Stop N Snack on YouTube by Samyang Foods in collaboration with the ROUNDStudios production team. Along with celebrity chefs, artists, and other talents, Nam visited high schools in America to introduce them to Korean food. The guests worked together to prepare the meals and talked with the students to get their honest take on the food.^[79]

In June 2025, Nam filmed a series of promotional videos for Delta Air Lines and Korean Air to allow viewers to learn about new routes and direct flights between Seoul and Utah through showcasing local food and scenic places to visit.^{[80][81][82][83]}

Event hosting

Being fluent in English and Korean, Nam has hosted several major Korean events and awards ceremonies with an international audience. In November 2024, Nam co-hosted the inaugural TikTok Korea Awards^[84] in Seoul and was the red carpet correspondent for the first U.S. ceremony of the MAMA Awards^[85] in Los Angeles.

Film

Television

Listicles