Eugene Lee Yang

Eugene Lee Yang was born on January 18, 1986, in Waco, Texas, and raised in Pflugerville, Texas, as the only son of South Korean immigrants. Growing up in an area with limited Asian American representation, he faced body image issues and bullying due to his appearance. Despite initial skepticism about a career in film, influenced by a lack of queer and Asian American representation, he pursued his passion. He engaged in various artistic activities during his schooling and later attended the University of Southern California, graduating in 2008 with a B.A. in cinema production. During his studies, he wrote and directed six short films addressing social and political topics, including mental health, gay marriage, and school shootings, demonstrating an early commitment to meaningful storytelling.

Yang began his professional career after college by freelancing, producing music videos, and creating commercials for five years. In 2013, he joined BuzzFeed’s video division, where he gained recognition for his experimental video productions. His early work at BuzzFeed included videos like “If Disney Princesses Were Real,” which garnered over 70 million views, and “Women’s Ideal Body Types Throughout History,” exceeding 40 million views. These videos showcased his ability to combine humor and social commentary, often addressing stereotypes, body issues, and Asian American identity. His work at BuzzFeed also included producing and starring in videos like “Awkward Moments Only Asians Understand” and “If Asians Said the Stuff White People Say,” which challenged racial perceptions.

In 2014, Yang co-founded “The Try Guys” at BuzzFeed alongside Ned Fulmer, Keith Habersberger, and Zach Kornfeld. This comedy group gained significant popularity for its series exploring various scenarios, often incorporating social commentary, such as men experiencing labor pains or prostate cancer checks. In June 2018, “The Try Guys” left BuzzFeed to establish their own independent company, 2nd Try LLC, acquiring full rights to their brand. Yang, as the first “Try Guy” to transition out of BuzzFeed due to his contract, was instrumental in this move. He further expanded his reach with television appearances, including a guest role in “Brooklyn Nine-Nine” in 2019, and lending his voice to the animated Netflix film “Nimona” in 2023. In May 2024, he announced his departure from actively participating in “The Try Guys” to dedicate more time to other artistic endeavors, while still retaining co-ownership of 2nd Try LLC and contributing creatively.