As someone who juggles multiple professions, David Yong has found harmony between each as he navigates various settings.
Apart from being the director of Evergreen Assets Management, you are also a lawyer and a music artiste. What spurred you to take on these different professions?
I started our investment holding company Evergreen Assets Management five years ago as a portfolio holding company to house all our investments in different sectors ranging from real estate financing to entertainment investments. I was called to the Singapore Bar about nine years ago when I graduated with my law degree from the University of Bristol in the UK.
I started making music last year in South Korea when Evergreen started making investments in the entertainment business. I always believed that diversity is key, and change is the only constant! We should never limit ourselves to a fixed set of social norms, always strive to be different, and aim for a new challenge and achievement.
As such, our investments at Evergreen range from traditional investments like business financing, automotive to entertainment investments which mirror my take on the importance of diversification in a portfolio. I also became a musical artiste to better understand the entertainment scene as I believe to successfully do any business, insider knowledge is the key.
David Yong is wearing a Prada terry cloth cotton hoodie and a Cartier Love white gold diamond necklace.
What is a typical day like for you then as you juggle the three professions?
I run Evergreen Assets Management and my law firm in an executive management role where I typically attend investment meetings or listen to new proposals on a day-to-day basis. My day runs from 10 am to 10 pm after which I work on my music hobby and get in touch with my South Korean partners on the latest happenings in the South Korean entertainment scene.
As you assume different professions, what is one constant that you keep to during your various professional engagements?
The one constant that I believe is crucial is humility — the ability to stay grounded, be constantly open to new ideas, and learn from others. Having to juggle different roles can be a challenge as most of the time I would be representing my company as a CEO but on other days as a musical artiste, I am just a newcomer in the eyes of the producers and industry veterans. Therefore humility and the willingness to always learn are important to be successful in the different professions that I have.
David Yong is wearing a Bottega Veneta wool knit set and a Cartier Santos-Dumont pink gold watch. The sneakers are his own.
Are there people in your life who operate in similar capacities that have a significant influence on you or you look up to as role models?
Someone that I look up to would be Elon Musk. In addition to being a visionary entrepreneur, he has successfully branded himself as a celebrity entrepreneur in which a simple comment or tweet by him would move stock and cryptocurrency prices. To me, his successful integration of having multiple roles as an entrepreneur is inspiring.
How do you maintain harmony between your professions? Do you draw lines so that you remain focused on the priorities at hand, and that they do not cannibalise each other?
Being the CEO of Evergreen Assets Management has always been my number one priority and commitment. I am truly fortunate that we are presented with new ideas and opportunities every day as an investment company. Being exposed to such an open environment allows me to open my mind to new ideas and not restrict myself to traditional ways. I would say that my musical artiste profile compliments my main role as the CEO of Evergreen Assets Management and is just another avenue to showcase my artistic side.
Were there any doubts about your commitments from the people working with you?
When I first started doing music, many people thought I was doing it just for fun or as a hobby. However, with the dedication and focus I’ve put into my first song ‘My Way’ and my upcoming music release plans featuring some of the top artistes in South Korea, people are starting to take notice and realise that I am doing it for real!
David Yong is wearing a Louis Vuitton leather jacket and cotton shirt and a Cartier Love white gold diamond bracelet and Clash De Cartier white gold bracelet and white gold ring.
When switching from one professional setting to the other, what are some challenges you encounter?
My legal profession matches my position at Evergreen Assets Management very well as the legal know-how and knowledge help me make informed decisions on our investments. However, when it comes to being a musical artiste, the challenge is always that people judge you as an investor or businessman even before listening to your work.
How would you define or describe a hybrid man, and what are some characteristics he should possess?
A hybrid man has to have an open mind and the versatility to take on different roles and challenges. In this current age, diversity and versatility are present in our everyday lives, and embracing them would open up many more doors for us.
Masculinity is traditionally defined by strict characteristics, but as culture shifts, gender roles break. Is there a gender stereotype imposed by society that you wish to dispel and educate others about?
To me, masculinity is defined by a man’s ability. Having the right mindset and capability is what makes a man masculine. One needs to see beyond just a man’s physical appearance and look at the qualities he has in him.
Once you’re done with our April 2022 cover star about David Yong, click here to catch up with the rest of our issue!
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