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My heroes are Tony Montana, Homer Simpson and Bruce Lee.
I was brought up in Hong Kong. At 13, I was sent to a boarding school in England, where, like everybody else, I was bullied every day for four years.
When I was 17, I ran away from school to London. I had no money. I would crash at friends’ places. It certainly was an experience.
My parents had to hire someone to find me. After that, I was sent to a school in Ottawa. Two weeks later, I called my dad: “Hey Dad, guess what? I can’t stand Ottawa anymore and I have moved to Toronto!”
My family, especially my mother, have never ever spoiled me. I’ve never had a credit card from my father. I was paying $65 in rent every week; I had no fancy sports car.
We are Chiu Chow Chinese - the Jewish of Asia. We are famous for being hard-working.
My grandfather, who passed away in 1996, is one example. He used to sell watches in Temple Street. He was also waiting tables while selling watches. He saved up and opened his first watch shop on Shanghai Street.
My father worked very hard, which is why he never spoiled me.
I came back to Hong Kong when I was about 23 years old. I was a rebel. I never thought of consequences.
My life’s been like a roller coaster. It wasn’t until two years ago that it began to stabilize.
It was my childhood dream to have a club. I love music.
Planning Dragon-i was the happiest time of my life. It was in 2002. We were nurturing a baby.
When I pitched the idea of Dragon-i to my friend and mentor, Nichole Garnaut, she said: “Gilbert, you must be out of your fucking mind!” Spending that much money on a 6,000 square foot nightclub in Central was insane. But I knew the concept was going to work.
I won’t say that I’m successful now. It is only one of the projects that I want to do.
My brain is always whirring. I am always thinking. Even when I’m watching TV or when I’m resting I am thinking, “How can I improve Dragon-i?"
The secret of a successful nightclub is the crowd. The effort you put into the music, the service, the décor, everything – it is all about getting the right crowd.
At Dragon-i we turn people away without flinching. We would rather make less money than have the wrong people inside.
On a typical night we might turn away 100 people.
Those who are so insecure that they have to keep reminding you how cool they are, are not cool. The cool ones don’t have to remind you who they are. They are usually the quiet ones.
Hong Kong is fast-paced and the most efficient city.
The tourism board has no idea how to promote Hong Kong.
I find that many Hong Kong people are very shallow. They judge you on your social 
status and put you on a hierarchy chart.
I am Chinese, and I love my identity.
I feel that being a 100 percent Hong Konger, I have the responsibility to do something for Hong Kong and its people, and to show foreigners that Hong Kong is cool.
Intelligent women really turn me on.
To be honest, I am ready to meet my soulmate. I am really ready to have a daughter. 
The two people I love the most at the moment are my niece and my grandmother. When I see my niece, my heart just stops.
A few months ago I was still a big party boy. Not that I am not a party boy now but I used to party much harder. I look after myself better now.
I try very hard to be myself, do things that I really enjoy, and let no one influence me. I think it is very important to be true to yourself and stick to your passion.
I’m sure many people say negative things about me. But there’s nothing I can do about it. I mean no harm and I believe in myself.
The lowest point and also the highest point of my life was at the end of 1997 when the stock market crashed. I was a stockbroker then and I lost all my money so I packed a bag and moved to Koh Samui for seven months.
Those seven months were the best time of my life. I was surrounded by genuine friends who I loved and who loved me in return.
The entertainment business my family runs probably owns 60-70 per cent of the biggest stars in Hong Kong. I’m not saying that I’m proud of them. If you ask me, I don’t think that is real music! Not Twins, no, I don’t buy their music. 

How to be cool? Be true to yourself, believe in what you do, don’t let other people influence you.


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Gilbert Yeung

Magazines

Gilbert Yeung is Hong Kong’s favorite party boy. His nightclub, Dragon-i, celebrates its fourth anniversary this month. He sat down with Tom Hilditch to talk about money, music and his family.
