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.
[230824] bangyedam_0257 instagram post
"Hello, I'm Bang Yedam.
I will now be joining a new entertainment, GF Entertainment.I would like to thank all the TREASURE MAKERS for supporting me since I started activities with TREASURE and to YG Entertainment who, for a long time,… pic.twitter.com/5O8lTT7IpT
— 여우담 🦊 (@yedam_kr) August 23, 2023
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.
ㅡ "We recently signed an exclusive contract with Bang Yedam. We are pleased to sign a contract with a very talented artist. We will give our full support to Bang Yedam so that he can become a musician in various fields, including being a producer and singer"
What he truly… pic.twitter.com/wJ0fQMmS1e
— 여우담 🦊 (@yedam_kr) August 24, 2023
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.
I wanna hug everyone who waited for this day to come. Finally guys, war is over. Yedam is finally with his new agency and will be releasing his new music soon.
— még 🐯 ia (@justyeahdamn) August 23, 2023
Another fan congratulated Ye-dam on his new journey and feels touched with the mention of TREASURE, Teumes, and YG Entertainment in his post.
yedam, congratulations on joining your new agency~ shine in your new place! I look forward to welcoming you back^0^ I will support you!❤️
damie mention treasure, treasure maker and YG Ent🥺 pic.twitter.com/DYXDfggiqb
— 𝐒𝐚𝐚 • sunsunflow🌻 (@woochii17) August 23, 2023
YEDAM AGENCY FINALLY 😭 NEW MUSIC NEW ALBUM FROM OUR BOY SOON 😭
— 여우담 🦊 (@yedam_kr) August 23, 2023
to the one whom i cherished since day one, i'm not sure what happened behind the scenes but welcome back. a fresh start for you and i'm glad about it. to #BANGYEDAM new agency, please treat yedam right. yedamie, love you 🖤 pic.twitter.com/tf34oYMt7p
— junkyu's (@kyuhoer) August 23, 2023
I’ll support you, yedam ah. I’ll always love the 11 years old yedam, yedam of treasure and producer bang yedam. No matter who you are, i’ll cherish you the same as before🫶🏻🥹 https://t.co/mKIpQFxhA1
— allyhan🫧 (@shuafairy_) August 23, 2023
nothing to say but a big respect to this boy cause he mention every single things like “TREASURE” “TREASURE MAKER” and “YG ENTERTAINMENT”. i’m crying again #BANGYEDAM 🥺😭 pic.twitter.com/WbLyRjZ1xn
— teh o ais di bulan ramadhan (@mypurpletoyou) August 23, 2023
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