Bang Ye-dam was born on May 7, 2002 in Mapo District, Seoul, South Korea. Coming from a musically-oriented family, his father, :ko:방대식|Bang Dae-sik is well known for releasing over 40 songs for commercials and animated shows including the opening songs for the Korean-dub of Japanese animePokemon, Dragon Ball and many more. His mother, Jung Mi-young is well known for singing soundtracks in Korean drama Friends and film After the Show Ends. His uncle :ko:방용석 |Bang Yong-seok is well known as a composer and director in the commercial film industry. Within his family, he is an only child. At the age of 5, Ye-dam participated in the opening songs for EBS' television series Bboong bboong-E and the Korean-dub version of the Japanese anime Onegai! Samia-don. On March 5, 2007 he made his first television appearance on EBS' documentary 15 Second Fever, Hold the World alongside his parents. During his adolescent days, he attended :ko:서울신석초등학교|Sin-seok Elementary School and :ko:광성중학교 |Kwang-sung Middle School.
2012–2019: Career beginnings
In August 2012, Ye-dam auditioned for SBS' K-pop Star Season 2. During the first round, BoA complimented his vocals by comparing to a young Michael Jackson. Park Jin-young praised his rhythm while Yang Hyun-suk was intrigued, commending his voice could reach the soul of the audience. He placed runner-up against sibling duo Akdong Musician. In June 2013, Yang Hyun-suk confirmed Ye-dam had joined YGE. Thus, both first and second-place winners of K-Pop Star Season 2 were under YG Entertainment. Ye-dam made an appearance on the finale of WIN: Who is Next with YG artists Lee Hi and Akdong Musician and sang Officially Missing You on October 27. Due to past interactions with Kpop Star alumni Lee Seung-hoon, Ye-dam also appeared on an unreleased clip from the show with Winner, formerly Team A. In January 2014, he made an appearance on Winner TV. In midst of training, on November 21, 2017 Ye-dam made an appearance on Mnet survival program Stray Kids alongside other fellow trainees under YG Entertainment as the company's representatives. On October 5, 2018 he made a cameo appearance on Netflix television series YG Future Strategy Office as himself. In November 2018, Ye-dam participated in reality survival program YG Treasure Box, where 29 trainees competed to secure a spot in the new boy group. During the finals, Ye-dam joined the final line-up by overall placing first among the vocal team. Marking the show's end, it was revealed the boy group had been named Treasure.
2020: Solo debut and debut with Treasure
On May 21, 2020 YG Entertainment announced ahead of Treasure's official debut, Ye-dam will make his solo debut with a digital single slated for June accompanied with a music video as a gift particularly for those who have waited 7 years since his appearance on K-Pop Star 2. His single will not carry out any broadcast promotions due to upcoming preparations for debut with Treasure. The single titled "Wayo", was released on June 5, 2020. Treasure is set to make their official debut on August 7.
Personal life
In midst of attending Kwang-sung middle school, it was revealed through examination, academically he placed first among the entire school. Currently, Ye-dam is enrolled at the School of Performing Arts Seoul majoring in Practical Music located in Guro-gu, Seoul. In November 2018, he revealed he ranked the highest within the entire school during mock exams for the subjects Social studies and Science, thus further earning the title "model student" both in school and as a trainee.
Artistry
Influences
Through EBS' Story, Ye-dam revealed his greatest influence towards music is Michael Jackson and his parents.
