Eugene Lee Yang is one of today’s most prolific digital content producers and performers whose collective work has been viewed billions of times. This past year, he and his fellow cofounders of the unscripted comedy series “The Try Guys” created their own independent production company, 2nd Try, and their new YouTube channel amassed over 5 million subscribers in 6 months.
Together, they hosted the 2018 Streamys where they won Show of the Year, wrote their debut book, “The Hidden Power Of F*cking Up,” which releases in June, and will launch their podcast The TryPod. Yang is well-known for being a prevalent voice for Asian and LGBTQ+ representation in the digital space and hosted The Trevor Project’s TrevorLIVE 2018 event. He also recently made his acting debut, appearing in “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” and in the upcoming indie film “Spring Bloom,” with a number of more traditional projects in development. As one of YouTube’s most-watched personalities, Yang has pioneered a uniquely hilarious, unapologetically controversial, and intimately complex image of the modern Asian American and continues to incorporate strong themes influenced by his Korean, Southern, and queer backgrounds into his projects.
In the last year, what has been your proudest accomplishment?
We launched our own totally independent production company called Second Try, we launched our own YouTube channel and got over 5 million subscribers in just six months, and wrote a book that’s coming out this summer called “The Hidden Power of F*cking Up.” There are many things on the horizon and you can bet that they will be unapologetically Asian.
How has your ethnic identity impacted you personally or your career?
My identity is something that really shapes all the work that I do. As someone who is considered as one of the most recognizable Asian American people online, I have this unique opportunity to showcase a complex and deep and multifaceted persona. It really is a huge part of the work I do and my passion behind being a digital creator in order to make being Asian American a fully realized story line.
Who are some of your biggest supporters and trusted advocates throughout your journey?
Besides our many fans and followers, my fellow Try Guys (Keith Habersberger, Ned Fulmer, & Zach Kornfeld) have been huge advocates and supporters for me throughout this journey.