Bang Yedam on growth as soloist, working with aespa’s Winter

Concept photo for Bang Yedam and aespa member Winter’s duet ‘Officially Cool.’ Photo: @_YEDAM_OFFICIAL/XIn 2013, Bang Yedam burst onto the scene as a young dreamer on “K-pop Star 2,” whose precocious singing and natural charisma — especially during his memorable rendition of Justin Bieber’s “Baby” — impressed the talent competition show’s judges, which included the revered “Queen of K-pop” BoA.

Much has happened to Yedam since his second-place finish in the program, such as debuting in YG Entertainment’s boy band Treasure in 2020. He eventually departed the idol group after two years and launched a solo career last November under a new agency.

With all those years of experience, one would assume that standing on stage comes easily for Yedam. But looking back on his solo debut, the singer said he felt otherwise.

“When I performed last November, I don’t know why but there was this unfamiliar feeling that I had. I felt that my body was stiff and I was really nervous,” Yedam said in a recent interview with ABS-CBN News.

“If I think about it now, I should have thought more of the mindset that ‘this stage is my stage,’” he said. 

Now that several months have passed since his solo debut, the 21-year-old singer believes he has gained more confidence to perform by himself. “As time went by, there were things that I realized. I think I can stand on the stage a bit more comfortably now,” he said.

Recently, Yedam teamed up with Winter of the girl group aespa for the “easy-to-listen” single “Officially Cool,” produced by renowned K-pop songwriter Kenzie.

“It is a song which paints a couple of ex-lovers who can’t help but hover around each other. It is also a track which showcases the chemistry between our (with Winter) vocals,” he said.

Concept photo for Bang Yedam and aespa member Winter’s duet ‘Officially Cool.’ Photo: @_YEDAM_OFFICIAL/XYedam said he enjoyed working on “Officially Cool” since he was able to personally interact with his collaborator. 

“Most of the time, artists record their parts and send them after -- there are cases like that. But in our case, we went on the same day, to the same place and did the recording,” he said.

“We were also able to film the music video together. I think the point that we were able to work together was the most fun for me.”

Yedam, who writes and produces his own music, said he “learned a lot” from working with an industry veteran like Kenzie.

“It’s the first time I’ve experienced receiving that kind of directing (from the producer). She was really good at giving directions. And in the process, we made sure to perfectly compromise on how I understood the track and how the producer understood the track,” he recounted.

There were also, of course, challenges, including Yedam facing the “highest note” that he has sung so far.

“I believe the highest part hits the 4th octave note C. I hit the highest note that I’ve ever let out in my entire life. I am very much proud of that. I gained confidence in knowing that I can actually do it,” he said.

Yedam’s solo music diverges from the bombastic and genre-blending productions often associated with Korean idol music. Instead, he leans towards pop, R&B and funk that exude a more subdued and easily accessible quality.

Concept photo for Bang Yedam and aespa member Winter’s duet ‘Officially Cool.’ Photo: @_YEDAM_OFFICIAL/XDoes Yedam think he has found his own sound? “More than going for a very deep color (sound) of my own, if there are things that I would like to do or songs that I would like to make, I think I’m the kind who compiles them and places them in one album,” he explained.

“So I can’t say that I have this one distinct color, but I’d like to think those various color schemes are my colors.”

In the interview, Yedam also expressed anticipation for his upcoming fan concerts in Manila and Bangkok, describing the events as a realization of his longing to connect with his international supporters.

“It’s a given for [me to meet] the Korean fans but meeting the international fans is one of my dreams and wishes — personally meeting the fans from different places and showing them what I can do,” he said.

READ: Details for Bang Yedam's 'Be Your D..' concert in Manila released

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