The lesson I learned deeper than the outer layer is self-sacrifice for something you love.
Age 7 D.Y.’s dad taught him basic karate movements. His dad covertly watched at a local karate school, and then instructed him. D.Y. did those 10 basic techniques everyday for six years.
The lesson I learned deeper than the outer layer is self-sacrifice for something you love.
Age 13 D.Y. began studying martial arts from movies such as Tai-Chi Master with Jet Li, Iron Monkey with Donnie Yen, and Drunken Master II by Jackie Chan. Also at this age, his crazy uncle came from Cambodia and taught him some sort of self-made martial arts.
Age 17 D.Y. studied Wing Chun under Richard Tsim—a student of Bruce Lee’s master, Master Ip Man—and acquired his knowledge of practical fighting techniques.
Age 20 Through his instruction, Master Chris Ho inspired and challenged D.Y., helping him earn the highest accolade in Wushu Kung Fu—the U.S. National Wushu Kung Fu team title in 2003-2004. D.Y. went on to represent the USA at the 11th Annual International Wushu Federation World Games in Macau, China. There, he earned top 10 in world ranking.
My Wushu family will always be in my heart.
2005 - D.Y. had the opportunity to teach for world-renowned master, Master Wu Bin--who is also Jet Li’s Master. He assisted Master Wu teaching children while at the same time, Master Wu taught him new techniques and philosophies to incorporate in his training. What was funny, Master Wu told one of the masters there, if he trained D.Y. since D.Y. was a child, he could have made D.Y. a world champion.
2006 D.Y. entered a televised global competition held in China called “K-Star.” There he won the “Most Potential to be an Action Star” award.
2006 D.Y. became a student under Shaolin Temple in ZhengZhou, being involved in body and mind cultivation and meditation. He studied under Master Shi Yan Xu, teacher of the world famous 18 Lohan Monks. D.Y. also was rewarded a special sword from the current Shaolin Temple Abbot Venerable Shi Yong Xin.
Master Shi Yan Xu
2006 D.Y. reunited with Thourn Heng and Malay Kim 6 years after in a new team called the EMC Monkeys created by Xin Wuku. Now 10 strong, the journey continues…
D.Y.’s acting mentor, Eston Diaz, is a student under Eric Morris, the founder of Method acting. The foundations of his techniques are based mostly in the “method” style processes in combination with Misner (“living the moment in the moment” technique), theater and fantasy realism. Diaz is currently writing a book on the techniques he has developed and combined. He’s been showing D.Y. the ropes of the craft since 2004.
Mark Majarian, D.Y.’s acting coach since 2007, is a theater director at Cypress College.
2007 –D.Y. entered the film-stunts world with the show Kamen Rider Dragon Knight and continued doing stunts in films such as Break or TV shows on the History Channel such as Art of War, etc.
2009 - D.Y. is striving to incorporate his expanding acting skills in order to grow beyond his stuntman experience.
Upcoming Projects – There are 5 current films that D.Y. is attached to and he anticipates their completion.
1. Rooks with M Squad Entertainment
2. Broken Blade with Shadow Motion Pictures
3. On The Edge with Seabru Productions
4. Fuse with Shadow Motion Pictures
5. Lee Brothers with Modus Operandi Pictures
2003 University of California, Irvine. Bachelors of Science, Psychology.
2003 – 2004 D.Y. interned as a school teacher for 2 years and invented “Kung Fu Fridays” at Williard Elementary School in Garden Grove, CA.
2005 D.Y. received official certification as a Personal Trainer.
2007 D.Y. volunteered on a regular basis to teach Kung Fu at South Coast Martial Arts in Costa Mesa, CA.