Born: November 17, 1988 (Atlanta, Georgia, USA)
Korean Name: Nam Yoon‑do (남윤도)
Nationality: Korean‑American
Education:
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Boston College, International Studies major, Asian Studies minor, graduated cum-laude in 2011
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Studied abroad at Peking University in Beijing
Early Career
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Started at Deloitte as a business analyst in New York before pivoting to entertainment
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Broke through after posting a singing cover on YouTube, leading to a top‑5 finish on MBC’s Birth of a Great Star 2 in 2012
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Signed with B2M Entertainment in September 2012
Music & Albums
| Type | Title | Year |
|---|---|---|
| EP | Cloud 9 (debut) | 2013 |
| EP | Interview | 2016 |
| Studio Album (ENG) | Before We Begin | 2019 |
| Studio Album | There and Back Again | 2022 |
| Studio Album | House on a Hill | 2023 |
Notable Tracks & Collaborations:
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“Spring Love” with Red Velvet’s Wendy, charted top‑10 on Gaon in 2016
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English crossover singles: “Into You” (feat. KOLAJ), “Can’t Help Myself” (feat. Loco) in 2016
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Collaboration “Echo” with Armaan Malik and KSHMR, released during AAPI month
Hosting & Media
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MC on Arirang TV’s After School Club (2013–2016)
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Hosted Korean TV shows, including appearances on Saturday Night Live Korea
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Launches: K‑Pop Daebak podcast (2019), and I Think You’re Dope podcast (2020) — both hit top charts
Entrepreneurship & Advocacy
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Co‑founded DIVE Studios and self‑care app Mindset (2021), focusing on mental health in the Asian‑American/K‑pop communities
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Actively advocates for mental wellness and representation; named in GQ Korea’s Men of the Year (2016), Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia (2017), and received TIME 100 Impact Award in 2023
Tours & Live Shows
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Headlined multiple global tours: Honestly (2018–19), Before We Begin (2020), There and Back Again (2022), House on a Hill (2023–24)
Personal & Noteworthy
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Has two younger brothers (manager Eddie Nam included)
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Polyglot: fluent in English and Korean, conversational in Mandarin, Spanish, learning Japanese
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Passion for mental health, often shares about balance, wellness, and personal growth
Quotes
“I had a very confused upbringing… so much of my life has been trying to figure [identity] out.”
On House on a Hill:
“It’s about wanting to find fulfillment…and working through an existential crisis.”
Why He’s Featured
Eric Nam stands at the crossroads of music, media, culture, and wellness. A bridge between East and West, he’s not just an artist—but a host, entrepreneur, and mental‑health advocate. His journey—from Atlanta to Boston, New York, Seoul, and global stages—embodies versatility, authenticity, and impact.
Official Links
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Instagram: @ericnam
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Podcasts: K‑Pop Daebak, I Think You’re Dope
