Simon Yin After MTV Chi
Simon Yin is best known as the charismatic VJ from MTV Chi. Sadly, the station no longer exists. But the legend of Simon lives on!!! He is a handsome 30 year-old, originally from Atlanta, Georgia. He maintains that Southern gentleman charm, mixed with the greatest New York vibe. Simon is not afraid to say or do anything, and his essence carries all the good parts of an MTV generation. Simon Yin is best known as the charismatic VJ from MTV Chi. Sadly, the station no longer exists. But the legend of Simon lives on!!! He is a handsome 30 year-old, originally from Atlanta, Georgia. He maintains that Southern gentleman charm, mixed with the greatest New York vibe. Simon is not afraid to say or do anything, and his essence carries all the good parts of an MTV generation. He is Chinese American and promotes Asian representation in the media. He lets loose, cracks jokes, and tells it like it is.
After all the hype, he is still a virtuous man dedicated to his family and his own intelligence. He even studied business and medicine in college before he decided to show off his super talents on camera. Simon, we thank you. Fans will see Simon again, especially after his big trip to China in the near future! Aside from his website simonyin.com, also check out some of his awesome appearances (including a skit with his friend and famous rapper Jin) on YouTube, under “Simon Yin’. Simon will make you laugh for days on end. Ladies, watch out…
ASIANCE: How did you decide to be on-camera instead of the things you set out to do in college?
Simon:I was unhappy working in the business world. I felt my cubicle was slowly devouring my soul, so I quit. I started making some videos, tried to invent YouTube, but Steve Chen beat me to it. Curses!
ASIANCE: Do you see yourself doing films or do you prefer television? Or, what is your ultimate goal within the industry?
Simon: I believe that TV and Film are both great mediums, and I can’t discriminate between the two. Discrimination is bad! In my experiences TV is a lot faster paced, and I like that a lot. But film is such a great way to tell stories, so as you can see, I’m conflicted. However, if we get down to the nitty gritty of it all,my ultimate goal is to do the Broadway musical version of “The Motel.”
ASIANCE: What is life like as a young Asian American talent? Do you feel it is different than what other ethnic groups experience?
Simon: I feel that Asian American talent is underrepresented, to say the least. However, I think that we are making great strides in showing America that Asian guys are hot, or funny, or good at sports, or awesome lovers. I think that the only ethnic group that has it tougher than us Asians in entertainment, would have to be the Native Americans. I mean, right now, it’s hip to be Black, or Latino, or White…but when was the last time you saw an Asian or Native American dude being the leading man in a film? If America got to
know us, they would love us. I’ll give the Simon Yin Personal Guarantee on that one!
ASIANCE: As a VJ you have worked with many stars. Who do you admire most in the entertainment business?
Simon: Teddy Zee, Justin Lin, Michael Kang, Ken Mok, Bobby Lee, John Cho, Kal Penn, SuChin Pak, Jin, Far East Movement, Steve Chen, Michelle Krusiec…pretty much all my Asian brothers and sisters that are out there everyday kicking ass.
I am proud to say that I have NEVER broken a girl’s heart.
ASIANCE: For the ladies who read Asiance, what is your dating situation like? Tell me about what you would do to woo a girl on “the perfect date?”
Simon: Wow. You’re asking me to give away all my patented moves to a women’s magazine? That’s dangerous territory! But let me get this out of the way…Ladies, I am single! (meow!) ok, that was weird.
So here is my secret on wooing prospective Mrs. Yin’s: I listen to them. I make them laugh. I make them feel comfortable. Then I buy them lobster. And if all else fails, I take my shirt off.
ASIANCE: On your timeline on your website you mentioned you have been heartbroken. But have you ever broken a girl’s heart? Does career come before romance?
Simon: I am proud to say that I have NEVER broken a girl’s heart. I am always the one getting dumped (as a single tear rolls down my face.) My heart is very fragile. It’s like a little Swarkovski crystal. If you mishandle it, it’ll get broken.
Career before romance, hmm…I would like to say that yes, career definitely comes before romance and that is why I am not seeing anyone now…but then I would be lying, and I know that women hate that. So, for now, I think that I
will go on record as saying, that if someone reading this wants to prove to me that romance should definitely come before career, then I am ready to listen. And make you laugh. And buy you lobster.
ASIANCE: Based on your website, you seem to be a great family man. What kind of importance does family play in your life?
Simon: Uh…wow, you guys do your research. Family is one of those things that I think we all take for granted the most. You know, like when your mom calls you 80 times a day just to tell you to not get any girls pregnant and stuff, and I’m like, “Mom, I’m putting my career in front of romance ok?” That always seems to satisfy her. But for me, my family is my foundation. Without them, I would probably go berserk.
ASIANCE: Is it true that you are going on a trip to China soon, and what kinds of experiences are you hoping to gain?
Simon: Yes! I am going to China for two and a half months. I hope to get a new perspective on life, and I am looking to transform myself from the ugly larvae that I am now into a beautiful butterfly. I’ll also be video-blogging my entire trip so that the peeps at home who don’t have the opportunity to head back to the motherland, can get a little bit of perspective. There’s a link on my web page:
www.simonyin.com.
ASIANCE: There was a video where you were bringing amazing energy to a huge crowd of college students. Do you think this generation has a special quality? Do young Asian Americans need more role models and representatives in the media?
Simon: We are more aware of our own identities now, more than ever. It is important for us to let our voices be heard, individually and collectively. I think the thing that we lack now, is a united voice. We don’t really know where we fit in. It’s ok to rely on one another, after all, that’s what Asians are for…or was that
friends? Anyway, the point is, let’s all come together and figure out what the term “Asian American” means, and then make lots of money off of it on the web. The internet is the future, I tell ya!
ASIANCE: Is there anything you would like to say about Asians and Asian Americans in the media today and in the future?
Simon: Yeah. Let’s all keep working hard, and loving one another.
Shannon Lin is a 22-year old student in New York, graduating in May of 2007 from the New School with a degree in Media Studies.