![Eric Nam: the outsider who became a K-Pop star](https://www.americanmarconiwirelessnews.com/media/shared/articles/4b/62/2c/Eric-Nam--the-outsider-who-became-a-685721.jpg)
-
Takeaways from the Democratic National Convention
-
Can Ligue 1 arrest decline after summer of crisis?
-
Harris accepts Democratic nomination with pledge of 'new way forward'
-
Alibaba to upgrade Hong Kong listing amid profit drop
-
Asian stocks slip with Wall St ahead of Powell, yen rises
-
Bayern plot to recapture Bundesliga with Leverkusen in crosshairs
-
Harris accepts Democratic nomination with vow to unite America
-
Conte and Napoli reeling after horror Serie A start
-
Indian desert school's unique design offers respite from heat
-
China's 'throwing eggs' card game wins fans and official censure
-
Volcano erupts in Iceland, sixth since December
-
Paris Paralympics to showcase best of disability sport
-
Bosnia volleyball team sets sights on Paralympic glory
-
Mbappe ready for Bernabeu bow as Ancelotti seeks Madrid balance
-
Australia tackles poor Great Barrier Reef water quality
-
Indian PM Modi to advocate 'peace' on historic Ukraine visit
-
NATO airbase in Germany raises security level over 'potential threat'
-
US Fed chair expected to signal support for rate cuts
-
Venezuela top court confirms Maduro's disputed reelection
-
Once 'canceled,' The Chicks take center stage at Democratic Convention
-
Harris vows to be 'president for all Americans' in convention climax
-
Influencers get VIP treatment at US Democratic National Convention
-
French prosecutors request trial in Depardieu rape probe
-
Influencer Andrew Tate placed under house arrest in Romania in new probe
-
Canada government steps in to end crippling freight rail shutdown
-
Harris poised for joyful star turn at Democratic convention
-
'I love him': Flag-waving Russians rally for pro-Putin pop star
-
Venezuela apex court confirms Maduro's disputed reelection
-
Chelsea give Maresca first win in Conference League
-
Fearing Trump, LGBTQ Americans out in force for vote
-
Apple to let iPhone users in Europe delete its App Store
-
Tebogo tops 200m, Wanyonyi on fire in mixed night for Olympic champs
-
Israel in Gaza talks in Egypt as fighting rages
-
Combining climate measures key to slashing emissions: study
-
Harris to formally accept Democratic nomination
-
England's Hull out in front after first round of Women's British Open
-
Ingebrigtsen claims revenge on Hocker in Lausanne 1500m
-
World's second largest diamond found in Botswana
-
US Open draw raises prospect of Sinner-Alcaraz rematch
-
Smith edges England ahead in first Test against Sri Lanka
-
Venezuela high court confirms Maduro's reelection after fraud claims
-
'Crazy love': Afghans overjoyed to watch star cricketers on home turf
-
Putin accuses Ukraine of trying to attack Kursk nuclear plant
-
Nestle CEO Schneider to step down after eight years at helm
-
Pakistan top court amends religious freedom ruling after protests
-
Stocks sputter ahead of Fed chief's speech
-
Nepal lifts ban on video-sharing platform TikTok
-
Bangladesh revokes diplomatic passport of ex-PM Hasina
-
O'Connor romps to Vuelta win, takes significant lead
-
Indonesia scraps plan to change election rules after protests
![Eric Nam: the outsider who became a K-Pop star](https://www.americanmarconiwirelessnews.com/media/shared/articles/4b/62/2c/Eric-Nam--the-outsider-who-became-a-685721.jpg)
Eric Nam: the outsider who became a K-Pop star
Eric Nam barely spoke any Korean when he moved to South Korea to build a music career, but he somehow became one of the country's biggest K-Pop stars.
Nam grew up in Atlanta in the US, and travelled on a whim to South Korea in 2011 to take part in "Star Audition: Birth of a Great Star", a talent show similar to shows like "X Factor" and "The Voice".
Though he only came in fifth, he landed a record deal and chose to jack in his job as Deloitte management consultant to become a popstar.
"To be very blunt, when I started I couldn't really speak Korean, so I didn't really know much of what I was singing," Nam told AFP in Paris ahead of a pair of shows in the French capital.
It didn't stop him scoring a string of hit singles, hosting TV shows and being named a GQ Korea Man of the Year.
That forced him to learn Korean fast -- but his unlikely route to fame meant he missed out on the famously exacting training process for K-Pop idols.
"There was a steep learning curve. I felt very under-prepared when I debuted because I couldn't dance like everybody else, and I couldn't perform," he said.
"So it was a challenge -- how do I create something that is unique to me?" he added.
- 'More open and honest' -
His answer was to play up his outsider status and start producing songs in English with a view to conquering international audiences.
His plan seems to have worked, with Nam now on his third world tour -- with around 80 dates, almost all sold out.
The polished, wholesome image of Korean pop has been rocked in recent years by scandals, including a 2018 date-rape scandal at Gangnam's Burning Sun nightclub, run by boy-band member Seungri.
Nam has deliberately avoided the polished image in favour of the more relatable and confessional approach of modern Western popstars.
"I wanted to tell my own stories... and I think I've been challenged to be more open and transparent and honest with my lyrics as time has gone on," he said.
Nam says his latest album, "House on a Hill", released last September, combines poppy beats with some searching questions about his life choices.
"It was written during very much of an existential crisis of sorts," he said. "You have all these metrics of success, and I realised that I hit a lot of those metrics very early on. And it's like this never-ending rat race."
- 'Maturity and beauty' -
But a more frank and personal approach to music has been catching on in Korea in recent years, Nam said.
"There are a lot more artists who are being very forward and open and honest with their life experience, which is a good thing."
But Nam added: "There's also a world in which you don't have to be 100 percent open and honest about every aspect of your life. We have to keep things for ourselves because otherwise we're living for everybody else."
Now 35, Nam sometimes gets teased by fans that he is too old for the pop game, despite his incredibly youthful appearance.
"It's kind of an ongoing joke that I am forever 19," he said with a smile.
"There was this fear for a long time that once you hit a certain age you're not able to perform or be relevant.
"But I think times are changing and there is a great level of growth and maturity and beauty that comes with ageing."
P.Martin--AMWN