Rising Idol Nakemden Shares His Journey from Seattle to K-Pop Stardom

Introducing the Idol Who Will Capture Your Heart

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"When I was on 'Boys Planet,' P1Harmony's Keeho treated me to a meal and shared a lot of advice as a senior idol. I wanted to be that kind of supportive senior for my junior trainees, so I shared everything I learned during 'Boys Planet.'"

After enduring a fierce survival program, a trainee has grown into a pillar of support for those following in his footsteps. Nakemden of the group Ampersand One recently sat down for an interview with TenAsia at FNC Entertainment's headquarters in Gangnam, Seoul.

Nakemden appeared with a noticeably sharper look, having lost 5kg in just over a month. Despite his success, he expressed a desire to lose 2kg more. He strictly manages his diet, saying, "These days, I only eat Subway sandwiches for dinner, before 6 PM, and go to bed around 11 or 12. I get hungry, but I've gotten used to it. Drinking water helps."

Known for his striking visuals, earning him the nickname 'Camdongwon' (a blend of Nakemden and actor Kang Dong-won), Nakemden was cast through an Instagram DM from FNC. "I had an existing social media account, but it felt dull. So, I created a new, more artistic account, and the next day, I got a message," he shared. "The new account featured more of my face compared to the old one," he added.

At the time of the casting, Nakemden was attending school in Seattle, USA, with plans to join Microsoft after graduation. The unexpected offer to debut as an idol was a surprise. "I wondered if it was right to abandon everything I'd worked for and start a new career. But life is only lived once, so two days later, I flew to Korea," he explained.

With dreams of becoming an idol, Nakemden gained recognition by participating in a survival program. He appeared on Mnet's survival audition program 'Boys Planet' in 2023. As the second season, 'Boys 2 Planet,' is set to premiere on the 17th, Nakemden revisited 'Boys Planet.' "Our company's trainees and many people I know are appearing on 'Boys 2 Planet.' Watching them brought back memories," he said. "It was emotional to rewatch the show. It was tough, but it was also the first time I received significant attention. Tears welled up as I watched."

Having participated in the survival program with the support of his seniors, Nakemden has now become a supportive senior himself. He recently arranged a meal for FNC trainees Choi Lipwoo and Kenshiro, who are participating in 'Boys 2 Planet.' As a survival program veteran, Nakemden shared his tips on gaining screen time. "During 'Sangam Festival,' I foolishly didn't look at any cameras. I regret it. I showed them my photos and said, 'Don't do this,'" he laughed. He even monitored their progress, saying, "They're doing well. I hope they debut."

His experience on 'Boys Planet' has helped him lead his team as a leader. "I had never been a leader as a trainee. During the first performance on 'Boys Planet,' I learned a lot. I felt inadequate, but I realized I needed to show my strengths to gain my team's trust. I practiced hard behind the scenes to show my best side," he said.

The members responded to his leadership efforts. Last month, they surprised Nakemden with a birthday party. "I came out of the shower, and they brought a cake. We blew out the candles together. It was special because we don't usually do such events," he smiled.

Nakemden is recognized by his members as a 'born-to-be idol.' He shyly admitted, "The members say I look cool even when I'm just standing still." He believes his fashion sense contributes to this image. "I don't have many hobbies, but I'm interested in styling. I constantly research what suits me best," he said. He plans to participate in future costume designs, saying, "I want to be involved in our stage outfits. I've learned what clothes and accessories suit us."

"Our members are the ones who listen to our songs and perform our choreography the most. We've learned a lot from our activities. We have ideas that only those who have experienced it can offer. I want to be involved in song and choreography creation." His passion extends beyond fashion. As someone who knows the stage well, he is eager to contribute to music and choreography.

Nakemden also cares for his fans' well-being. He often ends live broadcasts with ASMR (Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response) sessions. "When I was around 17, I had trouble sleeping. ASMR content was becoming popular, so I watched videos to fall asleep. I thought there might be people like me who struggle to sleep, so I tried ASMR, and many fans liked it. They even edited my ASMR from live broadcasts into compilations," he said proudly. "I want to appear on 'Tingle Interview' someday," he added with a sparkle in his eye.

Nakemden expressed his deep affection for his fandom, Andear. "We're a relationship of mutual support," he said. "I want fans to lean on me, and I lean on them too. Without fans, there's no point in performing. It feels empty when a familiar fan suddenly disappears. It's like losing someone in my life. That's why I try to communicate actively and frequently through live broadcasts. To stay together longer, I need to show myself often," he explained. With a serious expression, he added, "I need to show that I'm cool," exuding a charming aura.

Ampersand One has proven their global growth by successfully completing their first Asia and North America tours earlier this year. In April, they released their second mini-album 'WILD & FREE,' showcasing their confident energy and performance. They aim for even higher goals. Nakemden expressed his ambition, "I want to achieve first place on music shows and perform in more countries to meet fans. I want to make our team name more widely known." Nakemden and Ampersand One have much more to show in the future.