Former TREASURE member Bang Ye-dam will be starting afresh as a solo artist with his new agency GF Entertainment.

In his personal Instagram account on Wednesday, August 23, Ye-dam shared a heartfelt message showing gratitude to his former label YG Entertainment, previous group TREASURE, and their fans, Treasure Makers or TEUMEs. 

The 21-year-old artist looked back at how his idol journey started, saying that YG Entertainment has supported and has allowed him to grow to who he is now. 

 

For their part, GF Entertainment is also looking forward to having Ye-dam under their agency. 

“We are glad to sign with a talented artist. We plan on relentlessly supporting Bang Ye-dam, so he can be a musician who can excel as a producer, singer, and in other aspects.” GF Entertainment said in a press release.

 

​​Aside from Ye-Dam, the agency also currently manages the 7-member boy group Kingdom.

Fans’ reaction to the news 

Fans, especially TEUMEs who have waited for a long time, have expressed their support and excitement towards Ye-dam’s new path as an artist. 

“I wanna hug everyone who waited for this day to come. Finally guys, war is over. Ye-dam is finally with his new agency and will be releasing his new music soon,” one fan wrote.

 

Another fan congratulated Ye-dam on his new journey and feels touched with the mention of TREASURE, Teumes, and YG Entertainment  in his post.  

 

Overall, the majority of them are anticipating Ye-dam‘s solo career. 

From TREASURE member to solo artist

Bang Ye-dam made his debut in August 2020 as a member of the 12-piece South Korean-Japanese group TREASURE. 

However, in May 2022, YG Entertainment announced that Ye-dam and Mashisho will be taking a hiatus from group activities. According to the agency, Ye-dam will be working on his career as a producer and studying music for the time being. 

Come November 2022, YG Entertainment announced that Ye-dam and Mashiho are parting ways with the agency, leaving TREASURE as a 10-member group.The only remaining members are Choi Hyunsuk, Jihoon, Park Jeongwoo, Yoshi, Junkyu, So Junghwan, Yoon Jaehyuk, Asahi, Doyoung, and Haruto. 

Additionally, Ye-dam spent nine years in YG Entertainment, with seven years as a trainee and two years in TREASURE. 

Since his departure from YG Entertainment, Ye-dam has updated fans through his Instagram account. He opened it on his birthday this year, in which he initially hinted at making a comeback. 

“If you just wait a little longer, I’ll be back with good news. I’ll be back again as a cool Bang Ye-dam! Thank you always,” he said then.

Featured image: GF Entertainment shares photo of their new artist, Bang Ye-dam. Credit: Press release/GF Entertainment