Switched on Pop

Accidental K-pop star Eric Nam risks it all to go his own way

19 Jan 2022

Audio

Description

Eric Nam is an accidental K-pop star. Growing up in Atlanta, and graduating from college in Boston, he did not expect that in his twenties he’s sign to a K-pop label, be named 2016 Man of the year by GQ Korea, and become a go-to television personality in South Korea. His music, imbued with his charisma and charm has charted globally. As fun as it is, the K-pop machine can be a real grind — it churns through young people not unlike the NFL draft. Nam is unusually candid about this experience, likely because he decided to quit the label system, and take his blossoming music career independent. On his second all English full length album There And Back Again Nam has full creative control, and all the burdens of sustaining a solo music career. Nam spoke with Switched On Pop co-host Charlie Harding about what it is like to go from K-pop star to indie musician. SONGS DISCUSSED Eric Nam - Ooh Ooh, Heavens Door, Good For You, Honestly, Can’t Help Myself (feat. LOCO), Lost On Me, I Don’t Know You Anymore, Wildfire, Love Die Young Lee Hyori - 10 Minutes MOMOLAND - BBoom BBoom Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcription

This episode hasn't been transcribed yet

Help us prioritize this episode for transcription by upvoting it.

0 upvotes

🗳️ Sign in to Upvote

Popular episodes get transcribed faster

Other episodes from Switched on Pop

Transcribed and ready to explore now

How a sci-fi dystopia became a personal utopia (ft. Arc Iris)

05 Jun 2026

Switched on Pop

MUNA's end of the world dance party

02 Jun 2026

Switched on Pop

Drake's Slop Era

26 May 2026

Switched on Pop

Eurovision is back – but not without controversy

12 May 2026

Switched on Pop

Samara Cyn is rap's best new writer

08 May 2026

Switched on Pop

Switched on Pop

Accidental K-pop star Eric Nam risks it all to go his own way

This episode hasn't been transcribed yet

Other episodes from Switched on Pop

How a sci-fi dystopia became a personal utopia (ft. Arc Iris)

MUNA's end of the world dance party

Drake's Slop Era

Eurovision is back – but not without controversy

Samara Cyn is rap's best new writer

Hrishikesh Hirway made an album “the old-fashioned way.” He nearly exploded.

Sign in to Audioscrape

Share this moment