The Try Guys are down yet another member.
Eugene Lee Yang, who was part of the original foursome who launched the comedic internet troupe a decade ago, took to the group's YouTubechannel to announce his departure on May 23.
His stepping down comes just under two years after the Try Guys had to let go of founding member Ned Fulmer in the aftermath of a cheating scandal.
In any case, the Try Guys are now left with just two guys - Keith Habersberger, 36, andZach Kornfeld, 33.
Eugene Lee Yang, 38, is leaving the longstanding Try Guys internet comedy group - the second member to step down, after a cheating scandal forced out Ned Fulmer in 2022
The two remaining Try Guys,Keith Habersberger, 36, and Zach Kornfeld, 33, made an appearance in Eugene's goodbye video, making it clear he was leaving on the best of terms
Eugene has become the second member to leave the core group, which launched as a Buzzfeed seriesin 2014.
The concept revolves around watching the Try Guys test out a range of new experiences on camera, from makeup tutorials to 'Fifty Shades'-style BDSM'to baking bread sans a recipe.
'Dear friends, well, It's my time. I've wanted to have this heart to heart with you all for quite a while now,' Eugene, 38, began his goodbye message.
'It's with immense gratitude, and unconditional love for Zach, Keith, our partners, our staff, and all of you that have supported us, that I'm announcing my official departure from the Try Guys.'
He went on to emphasize 'how hard it is to close such a meaningful chapter of my life.
'But in the spirit of so much of my digital work, I'm gonna give it one last try,' he cheekily continued.
He then gave a 'heartfelt thanks' to remaining members Zach and Keith, whom he called 'my bespectacled baby brothers, my tall and tiny nerd.'
'I have no idea how we ended up on this wild journey together, but I couldn't have asked for better, smarter, weirder, funnier, and above all kinder individuals to have ridden alongside,' he said.
The Try Guys originally began within Buzzfeed back in 2014, with the then-foursome trying out a variety of new experiences, from trying makeup tutorials to 'Fifty Shades'-style BDSM
'It's been a great, irreplicable honor, that I will always treasure. And though our time in viral videos may be over, our friendship is forever.'
At that point in Eugene's 18-minute send-off video, Zach and Keith popped into the the frame.
He explained that the trio has 'always held a mutual, empathetic understanding about when the right time was to take a bow.'
Zach acknowledged that some viewers 'may have seen this coming' as Eugene's schedule has recently become 'busier,' while also not appearing in Try Guy videos as regularly.
Eugene chimed in to clarify: 'This is the furthest thing from drama. We have been through the worst version of that together,' he continued, nodding to the cheating scandal that saw original Try Guy Ned fired from the company.
The three embraced before Keith and Zach then departed from the set.
At this, Eugene went on to say that he wanted to be 'fully transparent about my reasons for leaving YouTube… Y'all deserve a comprehensive explanation.'
Firstly, he explained he'd simply been short on time, as he'd been 'inundated with work. I'm the busiest I've been in my entire life,' also citing this as to why he hadn't been appearing in videos as frequently.
'To express this as simply as possible, working full-time here became untenable, and it's evident that I can't continue keeping one foot in… So, for clarity's sake, we've decided to establish a clean break, because clean breaks are ultimately better for the healing process.'
Ned's wife, Ariel Fulmer, was well-known to and liked by followers of the Try Guys, thus making his betrayal feel that much more personal to the fanbase
Former member Ned - who has been married to wife Ariel Fulmer since 2012 and embraced the persona as the 'Wife Guy' of the gang - was previously captured on camera making out with an associate producer, who had also been engaged at the time
He then explained that his 'primary passions are writing and directing in the film and literary spaces,' specifically fictional storytelling.
'And to hope to achieve any success in those spaces, gosh, it requires a lifetime of commitment.'
He then emphasized that his directorial debut, A-, for which he also penned the screenplay, is in the works in partnership with Killer Films.
'It is the unbridled expression of my soul, and I have never been more determined and inspired,' he gushed of the project.
In terms of the 'literary world,' he added, he is 'committed to proving myself as an author,' and has been 'hard at work' on his debut novel - an 'epic, queer fantasy duology' - set to be released by Macmillan's young-adult imprint Feiwel & Friendsin 2025.
He's also working on a graphic novel with Vault Comics titled Buckaroo, which he described as 'a twisted horror fantasy musical.'
'My devotion is to creating original stories that will fundamentally thrive in other mediums,' he went on.
'This all brings me to a crucial message that I humbly want to emphasize. While, yes, these projects are time consuming, I haven't necessarily prioritized them because I view the digital space as somehow beneath them.'
He went on to say that he's 'proudly' focused on his 'online work for over a decade, and will always champion how profound and spectacular this medium can be.
'But after this past decade of work, of being invited into your homes, of having the privilege of getting to know so many of you, I've come to terms with the fact that this simply isn't the right space for me.'
While he stated that 'the internet can be a fun, rewarding, fantastic place where many creatives shine' he went on to admit that, 'more often than not, I've experienced the opposite effect, and leaving will be the best decision for preserving my mental health.'
The group started at Buzzfeed in 2014 and was co-founded by Fulmer,Keith Habersberger, Zach Kornfeld and Eugene Lee Yang
He further confessed that it makes him 'wildly uncomfortable to divulge all of this, as I don't want to come off like I'm complaining.'
In any case, he emphasized that he's always been a 'private person, which has continually been at odds with the demands of being an online personality.
'Relatability, vulnerability, accessibility - all keywords you're familiar with about what makes a great YouTuber. Unfortunately, these weren't second nature to me, even though I tried my best, I really tried.
'I already contend with a complex relationship with my identities, so to have to casually discuss and publicize them at length, often in a positive and humorous manner, was exceptionally tough. This is an unscripted comedy channel, after all,' he went on.
'In all honesty, I was enduring more anguish, especially after going viral for something so agonizing and demoralizing,' he said - again, seeming in reference to the small media frenzy that went down in the aftermath of Ned being caught cheating.
From Eugene's point of view, he shared, 'Demand for my openness only grew.'
He further called out 'strangers' who have 'been quick to tell me that I owe them my feelings' as 'part of the job.'
In any case, that public reaction brought him to a 'poignant moment, when you know deep down that it's time for a change.
'Even if it hurts and even if it's hard, you know what? That change can be wonderful for everyone involved,' he said.
He also tearfully recounted how 'a vital aspect' of his involvement with the Try Guys has been his 'coming out journey.'
'That was undeniably raw and real. And I have grown so much louder and prouder about such a controlled, buried part of myself that was largely due to how emboldened I became, because of so many of you out there,' he continued as his eyes welled with tears.
He added that he's also 'become uncompromisingly secure and appreciative of my representing Asian-ness.'
'To even be considered a voice in our community is an honor I hold dear every waking moment,' he said.
More generally, he addressed his fans: 'If I ever happened to make you smile or laugh or cry, then please know that you were instrumental in keeping me going, because you inspired me.'
He concluded: 'You, all of the fans, and everyone here at 2nd Try could never be the reason I left, because you were all the reason I stayed.'
Eugene's departure comes after the group was engulfed in scandal back in fall of 2022.
Former member Ned - who has been married to wife Ariel Fulmer since 2012 and embraced the persona as the 'Wife Guy' of the gang - was captured on camera making out with an associate producer, who had also been engaged at the time.
Ariel, who shares two sons with Ned, made occasional appearances on the Try Guys' channel and was well-known to - and beloved by - their following, thus making the betrayal feel somewhat personal to the fanbase.
Ned and Ariel had even released a very lovey-dovey book, The Date Night Cookbook, in 2021, with the volume being 'organized by relationship stage.'
In any case,the fall out resulted in a minor media frenzy and ultimately ended in Ned's departing the company.
