The Marty Party Podcast

#16 – with Steve Chung, COO of Azuki, on why general entertainment is dead and fandom is the future

My guest in this episode is Steve Chung—former exec at Fox and CJ ENM, and now COO of Azuki, one of the most disruptive forces in next-gen anime and Web3. I've been trying to get Steve on the podcast for almost two years, and it's well worth the wait. In this conversation, we go beyond the buzzwords. Steve breaks down the bold moves Azuki is making to build what a next-gen media company could actually look like—blending storytelling, community, and new tools like AI and blockchain to reimagine what's possible in 2025 and beyond. We talk about: * Why Japan's anime industry is maxed out—and how AI might help tell more stories, not replace creators * How Azuki went from being one of the biggest NFT collections in history to launching a their own anime anthologies, now airing across Southeast Asia and US cable * What it really means to build fandom-first—and why Steve believes general entertainment is dead * The wild story of how Steve pitched Fox a digital strategy deck...and walked out with a job offer Towards the end, Steve gets personal—sharing career advice that stuck with me: why asking great questions is more valuable than having all the answers, and how a mindset shift from "sometimes you win, sometimes you lose" to "sometimes you win, sometimes you learn" changed the game. Whether you're into anime, startups, Web3, or just want to hear from someone who's been at the intersection of East and West media for two decades, this one's for you.

#15 - Igniting the Zumba craze in the Philippines (#1 Zumba Education Specialist, Dancer, Music Producer)

In this episode I dive into the inspiring journey of my childhood best friend turned Zumba sensation, Prince Paltu-Ob. From breaking into the top tier hip-hop dance crew in the Philippines to becoming the country's number one Zumba instructor with a thriving dance studio and music career, Prince's story is nothing short of extraordinary. Princess is a force to be reckoned with in the world of dance and fitness. As the number one Zumba instructor in the Philippines, Prince has not only carved a niche for himself but has also become a Zumba Education Specialist, licensing individuals worldwide to become Zumba instructors. Prince shares the intimate details of his dance journey, exploring moments of denial, self-defense mechanisms, and the realization that sometimes, embracing the unexpected can lead to profound personal and professional growth. What stands out is his vulnerability, his honesty about not knowing where life would take him, and the courage it took to defy stereotypes and preconceptions. As we wrap up this episode, remember that life's twists and turns are mere stepping stones to the grand stages we envision. Prince Paltu-Ob's story is a reminder that every setback is a setup for a grander comeback. Join us as we explore the man behind the moves, his journey from Taiwan to the Philippines, and the unexpected turns that led him to inspire a global community.

#14 with Albert Cheng on the future of streaming (VP, Amazon Prime Video US, Former COO Amazon Studios and Chief Product Officer at Disney/ ABC Television Group).

How has streaming changed from the days when Lost and Desperate Housewives were first launched on abc.com? I've waited over two years to record this episode with Albert Cheng, who is the VP of Amazon Prime Video for the US and former COO of Amazon Studios. Years before Netflix, Amazon and Hulu, Albert made history in entertainment while at Disney by being the first to put TV episodes on iTunes and stream top broadcast shows and live feeds on abc.com. In this episode, we covered hard problems that Albert is tackling, such as solving the consumer's paradox of choice between content. He also shared his pivotal journey from being a mechanical engineer at Boeing to taking the first step into the entertainment industry at Disney. Albert also opened up on how he balances the expectation of representation as one of the few Asian American executives in media My favorite part? Learning about Albert's personal mission to break the "ME" culture by paying it forward. It's clear he embodies this mission, from making time to speak with me when I was a student at the GSB to his role as a board member for CAPE, where he advocates for greater Asian representation in media. This conversation reminded me how grounding a simple mindshift from me to we can be. Lastly, a big shout-out to Desiree for her persistent scheduling efforts over the past year and reminding me just to have fun during the call. It was an absolute blast. Hope you enjoy.

# 12 On Living Intentionally: A Journey of Finding Balance and Purpose with Hailey and Romain

In this episode I sit down with Haley and Romain, two inspiring individuals who have embraced intentional living. Joined by their shared love for food, travel, and philosophy, we delved into a range of important life topics. From choosing a fulfilling career to establishing a healthy relationship with money, they share valuable insights that will make you question your own choices. What sets Haley and Romain apart is their remarkable ability to balance ambitious goals with a thoughtful approach to time management. As they recount their nomadic lifestyle and temporary home in Yosemite, California, you'll discover how they have found harmony between work and personal fulfillment. Haley, the epitome of inspiration, shares her journey of moving around from a young age and finding home in her partner and their cats. She reveals that home is not tied to a specific place but is wherever you make it. Romain, on the other hand, reflects on the crisis he faced in his early thirties, realizing the need to reassess his values and purpose. Through coaching and self-reflection, he made intentional choices to transform his career and lifestyle. As the conversation unfolds, they explore the concept of a nomadic life and how they have hacked it to suit their preferences. They reveal their sweet spot of staying in one place for about six months before embarking on a new adventure. Their experience proves that intentional living is not about following a prescribed path but about creating a life that aligns with your values and desires. Hope you enjoy! Marty

#11 on Scaling the Largest Creator Network in Asia with Eugene Choi, CEO of Collab Asia

In this episode I had the pleasure of speaking with Eugene Choi, the CEO of Collab Asia, the largest creator network in Asia Pacific that manages over 1500 channels of top creators across eight countries. I've had the pleasure of knowing Eugene since my YouTube days, and he has been not only a good friend but also a mentor, providing invaluable advice for my career in the entertainment industry. In this episode, we delve into Eugene's journey of scaling Collab Asia across different markets, building a competitive advantage, and his company's investment in the future of the creator economy. We also get a glimpse into Eugene's mindset as a CEO, a father of 2 kids, and his ambitious pursuits in the media industry as a third-culture kid. Eugene describes this episode as akin to "How I built this" by Guy Raz, and I'm honored by his praises. My favorite part? Everything started when he stumbled upon the opportunity to produce K-Town, the American American version of Jersey Shore back in 2012 with Tyrese Gibson and Eddie Kim. We went back in time and explored how he took on the challenge of producing a show at a time when Asians were rarely seen on TV. Let's dive in to hear more. Hope you enjoy!