Love, Eugene
Summary
TLDRIn a heartfelt video, Eugene Lee Yang announces his departure from The Try Guys after 10 impactful years on YouTube. He expresses deep gratitude to his colleagues and fans, highlighting his personal growth and the challenges of maintaining a digital presence. Eugene shares his excitement for new creative endeavors in film and literature, emphasizing his commitment to storytelling and the need for a clean break to focus on his mental health and personal passions. The video concludes with a promise of future reunions and a final sign-off, leaving a lasting impression of love and gratitude.
Takeaways
- 🌟 Eugene announces his departure from The Try Guys after 10 years, expressing deep gratitude and love for his colleagues and supporters.
- 😢 Eugene finds it emotionally challenging to close this chapter of his life but is committed to explaining his decision.
- 👋 Eugene thanks Zach and Keith, referring to them as his 'bespectacled baby brothers' and praising their qualities and friendship.
- 🎥 Eugene's passion lies in writing and directing, and he is working on his feature film with the support of Killer Films.
- 📚 Eugene is also an author, with a novel and a graphic novel in development, showing his dedication to storytelling in different mediums.
- 🕊️ The Try Guys will continue without Eugene, focusing on expanding their cast to include diverse voices and maintaining their presence on YouTube.
- 📺 Eugene's final season with The Try Guys will be released, available initially at 2ndtry.tv and later on YouTube for free.
- 💪 Eugene emphasizes that his decision to leave is personal and not due to any interpersonal conflicts within the group.
- 🕰️ Eugene's schedule has become increasingly busy, making it difficult to balance his commitments to The Try Guys and his personal projects.
- 🌐 Eugene discusses the challenges of being an online personality and the impact on his mental health, indicating that the digital space may not be the best fit for him.
- ❤️ Eugene expresses his appreciation for the growth and connections made through social media, and his commitment to activism and representation.
Q & A
What is the main announcement Eugene makes in the video?
-Eugene announces his official departure from The Try Guys, marking the end of his time on YouTube after 10 years.
How does Eugene describe his relationship with Zach and Keith?
-Eugene refers to Zach and Keith as his 'bespectacled baby brothers' and 'tall and tiny nerd,' expressing deep gratitude and love for their friendship and collaboration.
What does Eugene mention about his future plans?
-Eugene talks about his primary passions for writing and directing in film and literature, and he mentions working on a feature film, a novel, and a graphic novel.
How does Eugene address the changes in his involvement with The Try Guys over the years?
-Eugene acknowledges that his gradual withdrawal from appearing in videos has upset some viewers and explains that working full-time became untenable due to his other commitments.
What is the reaction of Zach and Keith to Eugene's announcement?
-Zach and Keith support Eugene's decision and express their love and pride for him. They also joke around to lighten the mood, showing their close bond.
What does Eugene say about the future of The Try Guys without him?
-Eugene clarifies that The Try Guys will continue on YouTube and that they are planning to expand into a wider cast of diverse voices.
Why does Eugene feel it's necessary to make a clean break from The Try Guys?
-Eugene believes a clean break is better for the healing process and to avoid any potential disappointment or confusion about his role in the group.
What are some of the personal struggles Eugene discusses in relation to his online presence?
-Eugene talks about his private nature conflicting with the demands of being an online personality, the difficulty of discussing his identities publicly, and the mental health challenges he faced.
How does Eugene express his gratitude to his audience?
-Eugene thanks his audience profusely for the opportunity and privilege of being a part of their lives, acknowledging the emotional connections and memories they've shared.
What is the title and theme of Eugene's upcoming graphic novel?
-The graphic novel is titled 'Buckaroo' and is described as a twisted horror fantasy musical.
How does Eugene describe his experience with social media and its impact on his personal growth?
-Eugene views his time on social media as an invaluable education that inspired him to champion progressive values and explore underrepresented talent.
What is the final message Eugene wants his audience to take away from his announcement?
-Eugene emphasizes that his fans and the people at 2nd Try could never be the reason he left; they were all the reason he stayed.
Outlines
🌟 Emotional Farewell and Gratitude
In this emotional segment, Rachel announces his departure from The Try Guys after a decade-long journey. He expresses immense gratitude and love for his fellow members, Zach and Keith, as well as the partners, staff, and audience. Despite the humor and banter among the group, it's clear that Rachel's decision to leave is heartfelt and difficult. He thanks Zach and Keith for the unforgettable experiences and assures that their friendship will endure beyond their time making viral videos together.
🎬 Transition and Future Projects
This paragraph discusses the transition within The Try Guys and Eugene's future projects. The group acknowledges that Eugene's departure has been anticipated due to his increasingly busy schedule. They clarify that there is no interpersonal conflict and that they support each other's decisions. Eugene hints at his new endeavors in writing and directing, indicating a shift from digital media to focus on his passions in film and literature. The Try Guys also reveal that they will continue to produce content, expanding their platform to include a wider cast of diverse voices.
📚 Commitment to Creative Pursuits
Eugene elaborates on his commitment to his creative pursuits outside of YouTube. He has been developing a feature film with Killer Films, which he describes as the unbridled expression of his soul. Additionally, he has been working on a queer fantasy duology and a graphic novel titled 'Buckaroo'. Eugene emphasizes the importance of focusing on these projects, which require his full dedication and represent his artistic vision.
🌐 Reflections on Digital Space and Personal Growth
In this reflective paragraph, Eugene discusses his experiences and growth within the digital space. He acknowledges the profound impact of social media on his personal development, particularly in terms of self-expression and representation. Eugene shares his journey of coming out and embracing his Asian heritage, as well as the challenges of maintaining privacy and mental health in the public eye. He expresses gratitude for the support and inspiration he has received from his audience and colleagues, and he looks forward to future opportunities to connect with them through his creative work.
💌 Final Thoughts and Sign Off
Eugene concludes his message with a heartfelt sign off, expressing his deep appreciation for the fans and the 2nd Try team. He emphasizes that his departure is not due to any negative experiences but rather a personal decision to pursue his passions and protect his mental health. Eugene leaves with a positive outlook, promising that he will continue to create and share his work, and he looks forward to future encounters with his audience.
Mindmap
Keywords
💡Departure
💡Gratitude
💡Emotional
💡Viral Videos
💡Personal Decision
💡Mental Health
💡Narrative Projects
💡Coming Out Journey
💡Representing
💡Clean Break
💡Artistic Vision
Highlights
Eugene announces his official departure from The Try Guys after 10 years
Expresses gratitude and love for Zach, Keith, partners, and staff
Eugene's emotional struggle to close this chapter of his life
Heartfelt thanks to Zach and Keith for their friendship and support
Eugene's humor and self-deprecation about becoming a 'Guncle'
Comedic banter among The Try Guys lightens the mood
Eugene's schedule has been busier, hinting at his departure
Clarification that there is no interpersonal conflict or drama
Eugene's decision is in consideration of their collective work
The Try Guys will continue on YouTube without Eugene
Eugene's pride in the team's vision for the next era of 2nd Try
Plans to expand the platform with a wider cast of diverse voices
One last season of classic Try Guys videos featuring Eugene
Eugene's focus on writing and directing in film and literature
Eugene's feature film is in active development with Killer Films
His novel, a queer fantasy duology, will be released in 2025
Eugene's graphic novel titled 'Buckaroo' is in the works
Eugene's struggle with the demands of being an online personality
His decision to leave for the sake of preserving mental health
Eugene's appreciation for the growth and connection with the audience
Eugene's coming out journey and the support from the community
Eugene's final message of thanks and hope for future reunions
Transcripts
- [Rachel] You ready?
(Eugene sighs)
- Dear friends, well, it's my time.
I've wanted to have this heart to heart with y'all
for quite a while now.
It is with immense gratitude
and unconditional love for Zach, Keith, our partners,
our staff, and all of you who have supported us
that I'm announcing my official departure from The Try Guys.
After 10 profoundly impactful years,
my time here on YouTube has come to an end.
There's no version of this announcement
in which I can properly express
how emotional this moment is for me,
how hard it is to close such a meaningful chapter
of my life.
But in the spirit of so much of my digital work,
I'm gonna give it one last try.
I want to preface this by giving my heartfelt thanks
to Zach and Keith, my bespectacled baby brothers,
my tall and tiny nerd.
I have no idea how we ended up
on this wild journey together,
but I couldn't have asked for better, smarter,
weirder, funnier, and above all kinder individuals
to have ridden alongside.
It's been a great irreplicable honor
that I will always treasure.
And though our time in viral videos may be over,
our friendship is forever.
Even if I'll hate it when your spawn call me Guncle
in the future,
I shall train to become the best goddamn gay uncle
in recorded human history.
Keith, you are such a shining light,
truly the most physically gorgeous specimen alive
with those long legs and huge mouth.
After today, you are undeniably the hottest Try Guy.
Zach, you're an absolute rock star.
Every opinion you have is 100% correct,
and I want to proclaim on record
that I am the Letty Ortiz to your Dom...
Guys, come on. I'm not saying all of this.
- No, this is so much better than I ever imagined.
Keep going, keep going.
- Yes, the more emotional you get,
the more everyone's gonna be okay with it.
- Can you cry on cue?
That would be so good for this.
- Oh my gosh. Crying in the thumbnail.
That'd be tits!
Give it to us!
(everyone laughs)
- Rachel, will you please make them stop?
- Yeah, you can't do this.
It's a sincere video.
You can't make him fake cry.
- Okay.
- Make him take off his shirt
so we can objectify him one more time.
- You being naked would be tits!
(Zach laughs)
- If y'all are gonna keep doing this,
then just come over here
and join me in presenting a few points.
- Okay. So should we do the whole three guys one couch?
- Absolutely not.
- Dang.
- Kind of invented the couch, but, okay, whatever.
- That being said,
the three of us have always held a mutual,
empathetic understanding about when the right time was
for me to take a bow.
- Some of you may have seen this coming for a while,
as Eugene's schedule has gotten busier
over the past few years.
We thank you for your patience
regarding a formal clarification.
We wish we could have told you sooner,
but certain circumstances
outside of our control kind of challenged the three of us
to come together in solidarity,
and I'm very glad that we did.
- Me too.
So I'd like to reiterate, in case anyone misinterprets this
as some kind of interpersonal ill will,
that this is the furthest thing from drama.
We have been through the worst version of that together.
And all of my decisions have been made
in consideration of what we built.
And these two will always have my undying support,
even if it happens to be from afar.
- As you've witnessed with other notable goodbyes this year,
there's a myriad of motivations for YouTubers to step away.
Some are retiring, others are burnt out.
Many have issues with the platform itself,
as you've heard us talk about before.
But again, our shows, they're not leaving YouTube at all.
- Yeah, we're staying.
I mean, he's leaving. - He's leaving.
- I'm leaving. They're staying.
But it's still a very personal decision for me,
which I'll expand on later in this video.
Rest assured the three of us have been discussing
and planning these major changes together
for a very long time now.
- Of course, there's really no perfect time for this.
This was always gonna be bittersweet, and we know that.
We agreed though that now makes the most sense
considering all the exciting new things
that are happening at the company and in our lives.
- Speaking of which,
I just wanna say that I'm so, so, so proud of these two
and our staff for your vision.
Did I just elbow your stomachs?
- Yeah, elbowed my belly.
- I'm trying to express affection.
- It was good. - You're almost there.
- What do I do instead?
If I go down...
- If you go down it will be less affectionate
or more affectionate,
depending on the type of affection you like to give.
- You were telling us how proud you are.
- I was. Okay.
Speaking of which,
I am so, so proud of these two and our staff
for your vision and hard work for the next era of 2nd Try.
Now one of our long-term goals has always been
to use the privilege of our platform
to expand into a wider cast of diverse voices.
- So we like to think that we're not really losing Eugene,
but we're gaining so many more perspectives
that deserve the opportunity to shine.
However, we cannot let Eugene go
without filming one last season of classic Try Guys videos.
- And you can watch those episodes starting tonight
at 2ndtry.tv.
They're also gonna be here available on YouTube
for free at a later time.
Either way, I'm gonna miss you, buddy.
- Yeah, 'cause, you know, we love you.
- Oh. I love you all too.
Come here. Come here.
- Okay.
- Come here.
- Let's go for it.
- This is a real one.
- This is nice.
- All right, now, if you would be so kind,
I'd like to spend my last moments here
with our beautiful, incredible audience.
- Makes sense.
- Cool.
- [Zach] Okay.
- I...
(Keith and Zach giggle)
- [Keith] Wee!
- [Zach] Woo!
Where do you wanna get lunch?
- I'm the one leaving.
This doesn't make sense.
- [Zach] Oh, it's so bright.
- [Keith] Oh my god.
- It's fine. Okay.
I'll wait till their bit's done.
How are they gonna get back inside?
I want to be fully transparent
about my reasons for leaving YouTube.
And some of these have been difficult
for me to find the confidence to express,
but y'all deserve a comprehensive explanation.
Well, first, in regards to my time,
which is the primary issue we've cited,
yes, I have become enormously inundated with work.
I'm the busiest I've ever been in my entire life,
and I'm so, so thankful to be committing my blood, sweat,
and tears into projects that mean the world to me.
Projects that have been in rigorous development
for many years, which I'll elaborate more on in a bit.
Now, as you know, once they required my undivided attention,
I couldn't appear as often as I used to in videos.
And it hasn't gone unnoticed
how much my gradual withdrawal has upset some of you.
And I am truly sorry for that.
To express this as simply as possible,
working full-time here became untenable,
and it's evident that I can't continue keeping one foot in.
So this amorphous arrangement
where people end up asking the very fair question,
"Is Eugene even a Try Guy anymore?"
that will only disappoint all parties involved,
especially you, the viewers who have stood by us.
So for clarity's sake,
we've decided to establish a clean break
because clean breaks are ultimately better
for the healing process.
And I sincerely hope to guest star in future videos,
and I don't wanna risk them being tainted
by any embitterment.
I want us to collectively look forward
to those reunions with joy.
Now onto what I've been working on.
My primary passions are writing and directing
in the film and literary spaces.
And my focus has always been on fiction,
behind the camera and the pen.
And that has never changed.
And to hope to achieve any success in those spaces,
gosh, it requires a lifetime of commitment.
And first, my feature film.
I've been writing and developing
what will be my directorial debut for some time now.
And we are in the active stage of packaging,
and I am thrilled to be bringing it to life.
The incomparable creatives at Killer Films
believed in my script
and have been working tirelessly with me
for the past few years to get to this critical point.
And I can't share more yet, but believe me when I say
that it is the unbridled expression of my soul,
and I have never been more determined and inspired.
Now if you're unfamiliar with the industry,
it's an exceedingly rare and blessed opportunity
to be able to, one, get a movie produced at all,
and two, gain the trust of others as a filmmaker.
It requires 110% of my investment,
both physically and emotionally.
And I'm finally at a place in my journey
as an artist to tackle this
with unwavering conviction in my vision.
And on top of that,
the same can be applied to the literary world.
I hold tremendous reverence for the writing process
and am committed to proving myself as an author.
So many aren't afforded this extraordinary opportunity,
and I really don't want to squander it.
As some of you know,
I've been hard at work writing my novel,
which is the first in an epic queer fantasy duology
with the brilliant folks
over at Macmillan and Feiwel & Friends.
Due to certain unforeseen circumstances,
we've had to push the release date.
So you can expect it to be available next year in 2025,
and I cannot wait for you to read it.
Separately, I've also been writing my first graphic novel
with Vault Comics,
a twisted horror fantasy musical titled "Buckaroo".
And you can expect more news about that
and many other developments I can't mention yet
in the very near future.
My devotion is to creating original stories
that will fundamentally thrive in other mediums.
This all brings me to a crucial message
that I humbly want to emphasize.
While yes, these projects are time consuming,
I haven't necessarily prioritized them
because I view the digital space as somehow beneath them.
No, no.
I have worked here online proudly for a decade
and will always champion how profound
and spectacular this medium can be.
But after this past decade of work,
of being invited into your homes,
of having the privilege of getting to know so many of you,
I've come to terms with the fact
that this simply isn't the right space for me.
The internet can be a fun, rewarding, fantastic place
where many creatives shine,
including my colleagues who are so, so talented
at what they do.
In truth, more often than not,
I've experienced the opposite effect
and leaving will be the best decision
for preserving my mental health.
Now it makes me wildly uncomfortable to divulge all of this
as I don't want to come off like I'm complaining.
I can never stop repeating how deeply fortunate
and thankful I am to have ever, ever been on this platform.
But I'm going to try to open up as eloquently as possible
because I really do care about all of you watching
who might have come to care about me.
I was always a private person,
which has continually been at odds
with the demands of being an online personality.
Relatability, vulnerability, accessibility,
all keywords you're familiar with
about what makes a great YouTuber.
Unfortunately, these weren't second nature to me,
even though I tried my best.
I really tried.
I already contend with a complex relationship
with my identities,
so to have to casually discuss and publicize them at length,
often in a positive and humorous manner,
was exceptionally tough.
This is an unscripted comedy channel after all,
and that is why I removed myself completely from podcasting.
I was trying to find ways to set boundaries
and protect myself.
But as someone who heavily saturated your screens
for so many years, it might have come off
as me growing distant and disinterested.
And if you have ever felt that way
and if my colleagues have ever felt that way,
then please know that that was never ever my intention.
In all honesty, I was enduring more anguish,
especially after involuntarily going viral
for something so agonizing and demoralizing.
Demand for my openness only grew.
Strangers have been quick to tell me
that I owe them my feelings
and that I owe them my time to appear in content
and that it's all just part of the job.
Now contrary to the brave face I try to put on,
I've always been profoundly aware of others' expectations.
And if I'm unable to satisfy those expectations
while staying true to myself,
then maybe it's just not right.
And many of you watching
have probably experienced something similar
in your own lives,
that poignant moment when you know deep down
that it's time for a change.
Even if it hurts and even if it's hard, you know what?
That change can be wonderful for everyone involved.
And that is why I know
that this simply isn't the right space for me
and that that should be okay.
I sincerely hope that it will be okay for all of you.
And how I best express myself
has been through narrative projects
and ones that I can be fully immersed in,
ones that can be guarded and intentional,
long-term and precious,
because that's where I'm most comfortable and energized,
when I'm translating my identity, cultures, family history,
and demons into work that can be dark
and radical and strange and provocative.
And while I also have made so, so many memories here
that I'll always cherish, in the end, I can't stay.
I wish I could be better at all of this for you
and for my friends here at 2nd Try.
I wish I found an alternative way to make this work
because many YouTubers manage to flourish
while protecting their peace.
But the best, brightest version of myself
is the me that can disappear behind my work,
and that should be okay.
I chalk some of that up to how I've always had
to navigate my privacy and presentation,
which tends to be an integral part of the queer experience.
It's why I've always relished experimenting with fashion
as it's a way for me to transform
into an alternate higher version of myself
that's dazzling and powerful and self-possessed.
You witnessed me learning how to paint my fantasies
through clothing in real time.
I bring this up
because I don't want the summary of my issues
to diminish the countless occasions
where I have genuinely felt growth, connection,
and happiness.
A vital aspect of my time with y'all online
was my coming out journey.
That was undeniably raw and real.
And I have grown so much louder and prouder
about such a controlled, buried part of myself
that was largely due to how emboldened I became
because of so many of you out there,
and I am eternally grateful for that.
I've also become uncompromisingly secure
and appreciative of my representing of Asianness,
of my Asianness.
So much of that is thanks to the climate
I was incredibly lucky to be a part of online
where we carved out spaces to show more multifaceted,
nuanced aspects of our unique backgrounds.
To even be considered a voice in our community
is an honor I hold dear every waking moment
because I was someone
who had always felt so voiceless before.
Fuck! I'm not supposed to cry.
Overall, I've undergone an invaluable kind of education
that could only happen through social media.
It's inspired me to champion progressive values
even when the world tries to stamp them out.
I fully embrace the power of activism,
and I'm more dedicated than ever to lead projects
that explore and employ underrepresented talent.
My time here with you has helped shape those principles,
and I aim to never ever lose that energy.
And although I've confessed the more stressful facets
of my 10 years on YouTube,
if I ever happened to make you smile or laugh or cry,
then please know that you were instrumental
in keeping me going 'cause you inspired me.
Because regardless of the platform,
to be able to share essential parts of myself,
to garner an emotional response,
and to have a spirited discourse,
all of that qualifies as art.
It constituted a meaningful relationship between us.
And it ended up making me learn how to smile
and laugh and cry too.
And you, my dear friends, have my profound thanks
for the opportunity and privilege
to have been a part of your lives.