Jeffrey Kung And Eunice Tan: A Transcontinental Couple Rooted In Culture, Family, And Modern Global Living

Jeffrey Kung and Eunice Jaymie Tan’s love story is a modern-day romance that began with a message on social media. Though separated by continents, their bond grew rapidly through endless conversations and frequent journeys across the globe to spend time together. Their whirlwind romance led to an engagement within a year of their first meeting. They celebrated their marriage with a series of grand wedding ceremonies, which captured both local and international attention.

The first took place in December at Jeffrey’s hometown of Los Angeles, set against a backdrop of the San Gabriel Mountains and framed by a dramatic oversized arch adorned with white and blush- pink blooms. The second was a traditional Chinese celebration in March at Putrajaya Marriott Hotel. Several celebrity friends sent their congratulations via video, including Hong Kong singer-actor Jordan Chan.

“We had two very different weddings: the one in LA was centred on emotional speeches, with many in attendance moved to tears. The only sound we could hear was my dress sweeping down the aisle. In Malaysia, the energy was completely different. We prepared two dances, there was a kiss cam, and it felt like a full-scale production,” shares Eunice.

Meet The Newlyweds

Jeffrey made his debut as a hip-hop singer in Taiwan in 2001, going on to win the Best New Artist Award at the 13th Golden Melody Awards, which is often described as the Chinese-speaking music industry’s equivalent of the Grammy Awards. The Chinese-American singer and entrepreneur is a 76th-generation descendant of the ancient Chinese philosopher Confucius.

Eunice comes from a prominent Malaysian family as the niece of the late Tan Sri Dato’ Lee Shin Cheng, a Malaysian business icon and founder of IOI Group, one of the world’s largest integrated palm oil players. Eunice earned a master’s degree in education from Australia’s University of Melbourne, then spent seven years in the city as a teacher before crossing the ocean to live with Jeffrey after marriage.

Mutual Admiration

In an exclusive interview with Robb Report Malaysia, Jeffrey and Eunice offered a glimpse beyond the public spotlight, speaking candidly about love, family, ambition, and the values that anchor their partnership. Their admiration for each other’s character was ultimately what brought them together, with Eunice making the trans-continental move to be with Jeffrey.

She explains: “What I appreciate about my husband is his ability to make anyone feel comfortable in any space. He is so grounded and self-assured that he naturally extends that sense of ease to those around him. I used to be much more reserved, as there was a lot of emphasis on socially appropriate conduct in my family. He taught me to be comfortable in expressing my thoughts.”

Jeffrey says: “For me, it’s my wife’s brutal honesty. Growing up in LA, everyone is always dishing out compliments. Additionally, being an artiste in China, I was surrounded by ‘yes men’, which isn’t always a good thing. Having someone who’s on my side, who’s invested in my well-being, and who tells me uncomfortable truths is an asset to have as a man who’s constantly looking to improve.”

From A Dream to Market Success

Jeffrey co-founded Real Coco, an organic coconut beverage brand, in 2012 with his childhood friend Brian Bardos. “The goal has always been to make a healthy product more convenient for people, especially when they’re playing badminton or pickleball. Anyone can start a brand nowadays. But the key is in maintaining it and staying resilient through challenges as an entrepreneur.

Now, I’m delighted to say that it’s a nationally distributed brand within the US, available at major retailers such as Aldi, Costco, and upscale, trendy markets like Erewhon. Southeast Asia is currently the biggest market we plan to expand to, along with Europe and even the Middle East.”

A Platform For Representation

Jeffrey also hosts a podcast, The Jeff Kung Show, which explores topics ranging from music and fashion to societal issues, featuring conversations with prominent figures in the Asian community. “This isn’t really a job for me, but more of my passion. I was in the entertainment industry in China for 20 years. When I moved back to LA, I was shocked that the narrative of Asians in the Western media landscape was so different. There aren’t many voices to speak about how things inherently are in Asia, and I wanted to be a representative of that. For example, you don’t see business entrepreneurs or cool Asians in Western movies. You typically see Asian vixens, and we need to change that.”

The Story Beyond The Spotlight

Eunice reflects on her years as a teacher, explaining that despite her privileged background, she was driven by a desire to make a meaningful difference in children’s lives. “Growing up, there wasn’t much emphasis on success or labels like many families would. My father always taught me to let my actions speak louder than words, quite different from the typical Western approach. Not everything needs to be shared, and true respect comes from conduct, discretion, and consistent action over words. They were also very supportive of my career path and placed greater importance on character than achievement.”

“When I was a teacher, I taught in both low and high socioeconomic areas. There are issues in both settings, and these children have different needs. This taught me to be accepting and understanding of others. I’ve learnt that there’s always a reason behind someone’s behaviour.” This shaped an instinct to guide and support others long before her current social media presence.

Guiding a New Generation Online

Eunice has cultivated a community of over 34,000 followers at the time of print on the Chinese social networking platform, Xiaohongshu (RedNote), who turn to her for advice and inspiration, seeing her as an older sister figure. “I started vlogging because Jeffrey’s fans were curious about who I was, in a good way. Surprisingly, they didn’t ask about my fashion or make-up. Instead, they wanted to know my thoughts and mentality. So, I started answering these questions.

“The Chinese have become more globalised than ever, and they’re embodying parts of the West, but they’re still rooted in their own systems and values. I think they’re exploring new realms, such as dating culture. For example, they don’t know terms like ‘situationships’, which leads to dating problems. I help them to navigate the dating world. I think because of China’s one-child policy and because they don’t have siblings, they look up to me as an older sister. A lot of these younger girls want to be part of a globalised world, and I help them because I think I’m quite a global person.

“I also often tell women that the gap between intention and action can be too wide. You say you want to become a certain woman, but your actions don’t reflect it. If that’s who you are, then live it and demonstrate it in the way you carry yourself and express your femininity.”

Bridging Ancient Philosophy and Contemporary Society

Together, the Kungs embody a seamless East-meets-West dynamic. “We are grounded in our Chinese values and spend a lot of time with Jeffrey’s parents,” says Eunice. “In the US, once a child is 18, they go out on their own and rarely see their parents. For Eunice and me, it’s important to us to take care of our parents as part of a core Confucius teaching of filial piety,” adds Jeffrey.

“I’m proud of it, but I never wanted to position my ancestry as a descendant of Confucius as a kind of personal branding. Just understanding that he shaped a lot of the Chinese values that we have today is gratifying.

“My late father was from Qufu, the birthplace of Confucius. Here, a meticulous genealogical record of the Kung family is kept at the Kung Family Mansion. My name and my father’s name are written in the records. My father is buried at the Cemetery of Confucius, where the philosopher himself was laid to rest. You can only be buried in that forest if every generation before you has been interred there. I will have to be buried there myself to continue the line.”

Behind The Doors

Our interview takes place in the Kungs’ luxury condominium in a prime residential neighbourhood, Damansara Heights. Eunice explains: “I grew up living in different cities: Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Singapore, and Melbourne. This space reflects my taste for cosmopolitan cities. I love the expansive floor-to-ceiling windows, which let in a lot of sunlight and remind me that there is plenty of life out there.”

A set of matryoshka dolls from her childhood bedroom in Hong Kong now sits in this living room. “As I moved around the world, I carried with me the things that were there when I was younger.” Eunice’s favourite space is the built-in wardrobe, which is home to her curated collection of outfits, jewellery, and handbags, including several of Hermès’s Birkins. “When I travel, I pack whatever I think fits the city I’ll be in. I enjoy finding good local designers. In Malaysia, I admire Khoon Hooi’s designs, which subtly highlight a single aspect of a woman’s form while remaining refined. I also favour pieces by Farah Khan and Bernard Chandran. “I also love collecting jewellery, and I recently became a fan of Van Cleef & Arpels and Mikimoto. I’ve also always been a Tiffany & Co. enthusiast, which is where Jeffrey bought my engagement ring.”

There is also a sleek, backlit bar showcasing a curated collection of Jeffrey’s premium whiskies and spirits. The crown jewel is a bottle of Martell Cohiba, not for its monetary value, but for its sentimental significance, as it was a gift from his father-in-law, KS Tan, the former managing director of Pernod Ricard China. “I don’t plan on drinking it. The memory of acceptance is a lot greater than the taste of it might have,” Jeffrey shares.

“We have a karaoke set for Jeffrey and my father,” says Eunice. “There is a bit of a culture gap between them because Jeffrey is Chinese-American, while my father is traditionally Chinese. But this is the way they bond.” During their wedding, Jeffrey shared a memorable moment on stage with his father-in-law as they performed a duet of the song Mouse Loves Rice (老鼠爱大米).

Residences Across Continents

Jeffrey also speaks about their main residence. “Our home in Los Angeles is predominantly chinoiserie in style. We have blue-and-white porcelain pieces, Confucius statues in my office, and plenty of mirrored chrome accents.”

Eunice adds: “We have lamps and mirrored cabinets inspired by The Peninsula Beverly Hills, where I often go for afternoon tea, and we often describe our home as a colourful interpretation of the hotel.”

Finding Home Ground

“I visited the country for the first time with Eunice, but I have come to truly appreciate Malaysia and all that it has to offer. We love Kuala Lumpur for its vibrant energy and dynamic blend of cultures. We already have our holiday home here, and we’re now considering putting down permanent roots with a second, long-term residence in the city. I’m also planning to expand the Real Coco brand to Malaysia before the end of the year,” Jeffrey shares.

Watch the behind-the-scenes of the photoshoot below.

Cover image credits:

On Jeffrey: shirt, trousers, loafers, Jeffrey’s own.

On Eunice: Van Cleef & Arpels Two Butterfly Between the Finger Ring; necklace, watch, dress and high heels, Eunice’s own.

Creative production: Jane Wong

Photography: CY Wong

Behind-the-scenes videographer: @thespacemen

Hairstyling: Celine Chin and Kah Wayne

Interior styling: The Peak Xperience