How I Got Here: Andy Trieu
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Admit it, we’ve all been there – stalking social media and LinkedIn profiles, trying desperately to figure out how the hell someone got their dream job.
It seems impossible and yet there they are, living out your career fantasy (minus the itchy business suit). It might seem hard to believe, but once upon a time, they were also fantasising about their future career, and with some hard work, they made it.
Welcome to How I Got Here, HerCanberra’s series that reveals everything you want to know about the secrets of career success.
This week, we meet Andy Trieu – Australia’s King of K-pop!
Existential crisis time: Who are you and what do you do?
I’m Andy Trieu, a Sydney-based content creator and producer working across TV, digital and live events. I’ve worked on everything from kids television to projects of all shapes and sizes, always with a focus on storytelling, especially around Asian pop culture.
Along the way, I’ve had the chance to interview some of the biggest stars in the world, including BTS, Steve Aoki, Bong Joon Ho, SHINee, Stray Kids, TWICE and Simu Liu, and I’ve also acted in a TV show and a few films here and there.
Let’s go back to when you were a kid. Have you always dreamed of working in this industry?
I didn’t really have a clear roadmap growing up, but I was always performing. Whether it was martial arts or being on stage, I just loved that energy and being around creative people.
Martial arts played a huge role in shaping my path. Competing gave me a stage, which eventually led me into film work. From there, things naturally evolved into television, radio, and now digital and live media.
Tell us about when you were first starting out, what set a fire in your belly to get here and how did you do it?
When I first started creating content with people I liked working with, something just clicked. Collaborating on ideas and seeing a finished product come to life was really fun.
On top of that, martial arts, presenting, travelling and meeting people. That combination was addictive!
Recall a time when you wanted to chuck it all in; what did you tell yourself when it got too hard?
You can put a lot of time and energy into something and not see the results you were hoping for. There have been times where we’ve brainstormed ideas with talent, put in the work, and then the interview or segment gets cancelled. It’s frustrating and can feel like wasted effort, but in hindsight it’s all part of the learning.
For me, it’s about learning to pivot. Letting projects breathe, stepping back, and coming back with a fresh perspective. There are also times where you’re juggling too many things and it gets overwhelming. In those moments, I try to remind myself to focus on what I can control.
What was your biggest break?
There have been a number of moments that helped build momentum over time. Getting onto SBS PopAsia was a big one, along with landing my first kids TV show Kitchen Whiz.
Working on films like The Wolverine, Hacksaw Ridge and Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings were also major milestones.
Another big part of the journey has been interviewing artists like ATEEZ, BTS, TWICE, EXO, Stray Kids, MONSTA X and SEVENTEEN. Being able to meet them early and watch their growth over time has been really special.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
Relationships and collaboration are important! And on a personal level, staying mentally and physically fit is essential if you want to sustain a career.
What is it about your industry that you love and what makes you want to pull your hair out?
I love the creativity and the people. Collaborating, bringing ideas to life and being part of something exciting is rewarding.
What can be challenging is how quickly things change. You have to constantly adapt, and sometimes you can put a lot of work into something that doesn’t land.
What was your biggest ‘pinch me’ moment?
Meeting and working with artists like BTS, Stray Kids, Taemin from SHINee, Jay Park and MONSTA X, it’s all a bit surreal.
Being able to go beyond just interviews and actually spend time around these artists, seeing their world up close, is something I don’t take for granted.
Tell us how you ‘stay in the know.’ What media do you consume?
I’m pretty much always across social media. YouTube, TikTok, Instagram – I’m constantly watching what’s working and what’s not.
I also have a network of friends in the industry, and those conversations are just as important. Catching up, sharing ideas and staying across what’s happening.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
I see myself working on projects that I’ve already started planting the seeds for now, hopefully seeing those come to life in bigger ways.
I also want to keep collaborating with new creatives and talented people, and continue building something that allows me to do more and create more.
Why should people follow in your footsteps?
I don’t think people need to follow my exact path, but it’s been an incredibly rewarding journey. It’s given me experiences, relationships and opportunities that I wouldn’t trade.
What advice would you give your past self?
A lot of time gets lost overthinking and waiting for the perfect moment. It’s definitely better to have something 70 per cent done than 100 per cent not done.
