Haiyang Yu shared their story and experiences with us recently and you can find our conversation below.
Hi Haiyang, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What are you being called to do now, that you may have been afraid of before?
I used to be a quiet, inward-facing creator—someone who found joy in writing, imagining, and crafting stories alone. For years, I was more comfortable letting my work speak for itself, rather than stepping into the spotlight to explain or promote it.
But now, as a writer-director trying to bring my own films to life, I’ve had to embrace something I used to fear: putting myself out there. Whether it’s pitching to producers, talking to investors, or convincing collaborators that a story is worth telling—I’m learning to speak up, to lead, and to advocate for my vision.
In a way, being a director today is like being a startup founder. You’re not just creating; you’re building a team, raising support, and navigating business realities. That shift—from pure storytelling to also thinking strategically and globally—was scary at first. But I now see it as an expansion of my creative voice.
I’ve pitched projects across cultures, in both English and Chinese, and started to see the beauty of collaboration beyond borders. What once felt intimidating—selling an idea, managing a team, or facing rejection—now feels like part of the journey I was meant to walk.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Haiyang Yu. I’m a writer-director originally from China, now working between Los Angeles and China. I tell emotional, thought-provoking stories that often sit at the intersection of identity, technology, and human connection. My work spans both Mandarin and English, with the goal of bridging cultures through storytelling.
I began my creative journey in the advertising world, writing for global brands like McDonald’s, GE, Adidas, and Absolut Vodka. Over time, I realized I wanted to tell deeper, more personal stories—so I transitioned into filmmaking. That leap changed everything.
My films often explore psychological themes, generational trauma, queer identity, and philosophical tension. My recent short film “Hold On” details a devout Catholic mother who finds her disabled son is gay and has the desire to explore his sexuality, so she has to choose between her god and her son. Under my creative brand DreaMocean Studio, I’m building a cinematic universe that’s not just multilingual but multi-dimensional—combining film, AI-powered shorts, interactive storytelling, and global co-productions. I see myself as part storyteller, part entrepreneur, and part bridge—connecting ideas, cultures, and people.
Right now, I’m developing several feature films, including “Wake Me Up”, a psychological mother-son thriller, and “Ilias”, a thought-provoking story about life, death, and love. I’m always open to creative collaboration, co-productions, and conversations with people who believe in bold, human-centered storytelling.
Great, so let’s dive into your journey a bit more. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
A few months ago, I had a deep meditative experience — a kind of past-life regression — that left a profound impression on me. During the session, I found myself immersed in what felt like a previous lifetime in ancient China, perhaps around the Song dynasty, 1000 years ago. I was living in a small city, working as a local official. Life seemed materially stable and respectable, but emotionally… I felt trapped.
In that vision, I had never left that city. I had lived an entire lifetime following social expectations, serving others, fulfilling roles — yet never truly listening to myself. I remember this overwhelming feeling of regret: I had never gone anywhere. I had never truly lived for myself.
When I came out of the meditation, it felt less like a dream and more like an emotional truth — symbolic, maybe, but very real to me. And it helped me understand something deeper about my current life: why I’ve always had this urge to leave home, to explore, to create freely, to move across cultures and countries.
That experience made me realize:I want this life to be lived fully, widely, and honestly. To create not from duty, but from desire. I want to live like a wanderer — and make films that carry that spirit.
If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
If I could say one kind thing to my younger self, it would be this: You don’t have to figure it all out right now. I’d tell him: Don’t be afraid of the future. You don’t need to plan every single step or have all the answers before you begin.
There were times I held back from things—projects, relationships, even small spontaneous decisions—because I couldn’t see a clear outcome. If I couldn’t see how it would fit into a “bigger plan,” I’d freeze. I was afraid to waste time, afraid to get it wrong.
But the truth is: you become stronger than you ever imagined, not by overplanning, but by living. So go for it. Trust your instincts. Let future-you handle the future. He’s got you.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Is the public version of you the real you?
Yes, I believe it is — or at least, I try my best to make it so.
To me, being real is one of the strongest things a person can be. But it doesn’t happen by accident. First, you have to actually know yourself — which is a lifelong process. And then you have to be brave enough to show that self to the world.
In today’s world — especially with social media — we’re constantly surrounded by noise, opinions, filters, projections. It’s so easy to lose your center and become what you think people want. But I think the real power lies in staying grounded, in not trying to impress everyone, in attracting the people who love you for who you actually are.
I’ve recently started sharing more of myself online — through my YouTube channel, through storytelling, through everyday reflections. It’s something I never thought I’d do a few years ago. But now, I feel like it’s not only healing — it’s necessary.
Because here’s the thing: if you perform a version of yourself that isn’t real, the people you attract won’t be real for you either. But if you show up as your full, imperfect, honest self — the ones who resonate with that will find you. And those are the connections worth building.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What is the story you hope people tell about you when you’re gone?
I hope people remember me as a creator.
Someone who created films. Who created stories. But also — someone who created his own life.
I’ve always admired people who are curious, imaginative, willing to try something different. People who don’t just follow the script, but write their own. I hope I never stop trying to be that kind of person.
More than success or perfection, I’d love to be remembered for the things I made — and the way I lived while making them.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://yuhaiyangfilm.wixsite.com/film
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@DreaMocean-studio; https://www.youtube.com/@haiyangdirector
- Other: My short film “Hold On”: https://8005878258777.gumroad.com/l/holdon
