The many gifts of Glenn Yong
After a few whirlwind years, the actor-musician-entrepreneur is pressing pause to reflect on what really matters
GLENN YONG HAS BEEN BUSY. Very busy. At just 28, the multi-hyphenate has blazed past the goals he had set for himself by age 30. He’s starred in four films helmed by box-office heavyweight Jack Neo, released music fusing Mandarin ballads with pop influences, and established himself as a key figure in the fashion scene – all the while amassing an Instagram and TikTok following that would make a Kardashian nod in approval.
But that’s not all. Yong has launched his own company, GY Entertainment, named after his initials, with ambitious plans to debut his first EP in 2025, followed by a line of merchandise.
As the final flourish, he’s the only Singaporean included on TC Candler’s annual world list of 100 Most Handsome Faces in both 2022 and 2023 – a streak he’s set to continue in 2024. (The list is released in the last week of December every year.)
Recounting the rest of his resume could be exhausting, even for him. So perhaps it’s not surprising that this Christmas, he’s giving himself the gift of something he hasn’t had in a long time – rest. “For the past two years, I was lucky if I got three or four hours of sleep a night,” he recalls. “Now, I’m clocking a full seven hours, and I feel amazing.”
The decision to step back was a wake-up call. “I used to think success was about never stopping, never taking a break. But what’s the point of achieving all that if you don’t have time for yourself and the people who matter?”
For a man who’s built his brand on doing everything everywhere all at once, slowing down to reflect may be his savviest move yet.
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In full bloom
At a photo shoot inside This Humid House, Singapore’s multi-award-winning botanical design studio, Yong moves effortlessly among the avant-garde floral arrangements framing him. Surrounded by sculptural pottery and intricate plant installations, he leans, arches, poses and pouts – his chiselled good looks perfectly complementing the studio’s refined aesthetic.
“My mother was once a fashion model,” he says, gesturing to the camera as if it’s second nature. “But I’m only 1.78 metres tall, so I’m not tall enough for the runway... Besides, I’m not interested in modelling. I prefer to breathe life into a role or a song.”
That instinct for storytelling, whether on screen or through music, is what’s propelled Yong’s career thus far. From starring in hit films to crafting songs that reflect his personal journey, the youngest son of a tour guide father and model mother is building a career that blends creativity, resilience and authenticity.
The rise to fame began with a series of starring roles in Neo’s films, including Ah Girls Go Army (2022) and I Not Stupid 3 (2024), the concluding chapter of the beloved comedy trilogy. Despite comedy being outside his comfort zone, Yong found his footing with Neo’s guidance.
“I’m not a natural comedian,” he admits. “But Jack (Neo) saw something in me. He told me, ‘Don’t try to be funny. Just be authentic.’ That advice changed everything for me.”
Audiences agreed. His portrayal of Mr Lee, an inspiring math teacher in I Not Stupid 3, resonated deeply, earning him fans across generations. “Now I get called ‘Lee Laoshi’ everywhere I go,” he says, laughing at the unexpected nickname. “Students, teachers, even parents – they all connected with that character. It reminded me why I love acting: you get to tell stories that mean something to people.”
While acting brought him widespread recognition, music has emerged as a deeply personal outlet. Since his breakout role in the 2021 TV drama Live Your Dreams, where he showcased his vocals on the original soundtrack, Yong has been steadily building his identity as a musician.
“I want to tell my story through music,” he explains. “It’s a way to share what’s in my heart that I might not express otherwise. In movies, I’m playing a role someone else created. But in music, I have the freedom to be myself.”
In 2022, he released Up Up, his debut pop single. A blend of infectious melodies and introspective lyrics, the song captures Yong’s experience with naysayers in the entertainment industry. Lines like “Got no time for haters” and “Tryna wreck my rep, but I see this s**t with clarity” deliver both catharsis and conviction.
Now he’s preparing to take his music to the next level. With his first EP slated for release in 2025, he’s doubling down on his efforts, attending vocal classes, collaborating with producers and experimenting with new sounds.
“When I was younger, I’d stand on this slightly elevated platform in my bedroom and pretend I was singing to a huge crowd in Hong Kong, Taipei or New York,” he recalls, with a laugh. “I’ve always wanted to hold my own concert.”
But Yong is nothing if not honest about his abilities. “I’m not a naturally powerhouse vocalist. But I believe in putting in the work to improve. It’s about growth, and I’m excited to see where this takes me.”
The seeds of who he is
His creativity and drive can be traced back to his childhood. “I wasn’t naughty in the traditional sense,” he reflects. “But I questioned everything. If a teacher told me to do something, my first instinct was to ask, ‘Why? Why not this way instead?’”
That relentless curiosity, while endearing in hindsight, was a different story for the adults in his life. “I think it annoyed them,” he admits, chuckling. “But there were a few who saw it as a strength. They had the patience to explain things to me, and that made all the difference.”
It was in these moments of challenging the status quo that his creativity germinated. “When you’re sitting in class, wondering why things have to be the way they are, you start imagining alternatives. That’s where it all started – thinking about how things could be done differently, whether in school or in life.”
Peicai Secondary School offered him the perfect backdrop to hone this perspective. “It wasn’t an elite school,” he says. “We had kids from every kind of background – rich, poor, big families, no families. You learn how to talk to everyone, to see things from different angles.”
These experiences shaped the emotional intelligence and adaptability that would later prove invaluable in his career, whether connecting with fans or seeking guidance from industry veterans.
By his mid-teens, his curiosity had expanded into a broader ambition to explore showbusiness and entrepreneurship. He pursued business analytics at Temasek Polytechnic, followed by marketing at Murdoch University.
“I knew I wanted to build something for myself,” he says. “It wasn’t just about finding a job. It was about figuring out how to carve out my own path – whether through acting, music or business.”
Unlike other celebrities who wait until they’re more established to capitalise on their image by expanding into entrepreneurship, Yong took the plunge early. In 2022, he founded GY Entertainment, a platform that allowed him to chart his career on his terms.
“I realised if I wanted to keep growing, I couldn’t just wait for opportunities. I had to create them myself,” he says confidently. “I guess that’s my spirit of curiosity – always looking for the next challenge and seeing how I can make it my own.”
Of course, he now knows firsthand that a relentless drive comes at a cost. “In recent years, I was running on fumes. Between acting, music, and social media commitments, it was just go, go, go. When one thing slowed down, the others sped up. There was no time to rest.
“So for now, I’ve made a deliberate decision to stop and breathe… I’m sleeping properly again after a long time, and it feels like a luxury,” he says, exhaling with a sense of newfound relief.
A season of reflection
For most celebrities, the Yuletide season often involves being on stage and making promotional appearances. But Yong wants this year to be a time to reflect, recharge and reconnect with his roots.
“I’m a Christian,” he shares, “but I see Christmas as more than just a religious celebration. It’s about relationships – my family, my close friends. After a hectic few years, it’s grounding for me to sit together with them, share stories, and just be present.”
His family traditions are simple but meaningful. “We start celebrating two weeks before Christmas with dinners at each other’s houses. There’s always a Christmas tree at my parent’s home – yes, we use the same one every year because we’re eco-conscious,” he jokes. “I play Christmas songs on repeat: Michael Buble, Mariah Carey, Sia’s Snowman, and of course, the Home Alone soundtrack.”
This season, Yong has a heartfelt message for all his fans: “Focus on what truly matters: your relationships. Money and career are important, but they’re not everything.”
For him, the spirit of giving has always been crucial to Christmas. One of his most cherished memories stems from his teenage years, when he participated in a church initiative to host festive dinners for disadvantaged youths, many of whom came from single-parent homes.
“We’d bring turkey, ham, all the festive food, and sit down for a proper meal with them,” he recalls. “For some of these kids, it was their first real Christmas celebration.”
Those meals made a profound and lasting impact on him. “It wasn’t about the food, but about showing them what love and family could look like… I joined those dinners for three consecutive years, and the memories are something I carry with me to this day.”
They remind him that the greatest gift he can give anyone is the gift of himself. “Sitting down with my family and friends, sharing stories, and just being there for each other – that’s what Christmas is really about.”
As the calendar flips to a new year, Yong has a clear vision for what lies ahead. He wants to strike a balance between ambition and serenity, to chart new courses while staying true to the values and relationships that have shaped him. “I’ve achieved a lot, but I know there’s so much more to do,” he says resolutely. “And if I can use what I’ve built to inspire others and spread joy – that’s the legacy I hope to leave behind.”
Credits: Photography: Darren Gabriel Leow Fashion direction & styling: CK Grooming: Zoel Tee, using Dior Beauty Location: This Humid House Clothes: Coach
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