Comedian and content creator Steven He, known for his viral catchphrase "emotional damage," recently discussed how his Asian upbringing and academic pressures influenced his work during his first visit to Singapore. Speaking at House of Tan Yeok Nee on October 7, He traced the origins of his signature meme and outlined his ambitions beyond internet fame.
The 29-year-old, born in Shenzhen and raised between China and Ireland, first gained widespread attention in 2021 with a YouTube sketch titled *When “Asian” Is A Difficulty Mode In Video Games*. The clip, featuring his "Asian Dad" character uttering "emotional damage," quickly became a global reaction meme. Despite the meme’s popularity, He expressed gratitude to his fans and said he is not tired of performing the catchphrase.
Now signed with Singapore-based global creator management company uhschool International, He engaged with local students on October 9 at ITE College Central, sharing insights into his creative process and business approach. Managing a team that oversees 11 platforms, 35 million followers, and produces 300 million monthly views, He emphasized the discipline required to sustain and grow his digital presence.
His connection to Singapore’s academic culture was immediate. Comparing the city-state’s Primary School Leaving Examination (PSLE) to China’s gaokao, he described the intense pressure both systems place on students at a young age. “I relate because in China, we have gaokao, and the pressure which I felt at 13 years old,” he said.
He described Singapore as an important cultural and strategic hub bridging East and West, highlighting the country’s bilingual environment and dual exposure to Asian and Western influences as a valuable platform for creators targeting Asia.
The comedian also touched on personal life, revealing he recently married American content creator and actress Greta Schaub. He joked about how fatherhood might transform him into the very "Asian Dad" character he portrays online, who critiques children pursuing creative careers.
Reflecting on his upbringing, He acknowledged the value of strict Asian parenting, crediting it for his work ethic despite past frustration with its rigidity. He sees these cultural experiences as a source of universal storytelling power, noting how personal stories involving Asian family dynamics have resonated globally across diverse audiences.
Expanding beyond short internet sketches, He is now pursuing feature films and theatrical projects. He stars in *Kung Fu Deadly*, a martial arts horror-comedy which premiered at Fantasia Fest in Texas on September 18, playing a pest exterminator confronting a vampire from Chinese folklore.
With formal acting training from Regent’s University London and the Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre in New York, He is also developing skills behind the camera as a director and producer. His online projects include the kaiju parody series *Ginormo!* (2023) and spy comedy *James Bao* (2026). He acknowledged the challenges of transitioning to more complex productions, noting the need to master sound design, character development, and coordinating large crews.
Through combining humor, cultural specificity, and business acumen, Steven He continues to expand his creative footprint while maintaining strong ties to his roots.