A public clarification has emerged regarding recent speculation surrounding the business affairs of entertainer Yumi. Her partner, prominent figure Joseph Lam, held a press conference yesterday, February 22nd, addressing rumors that Yumi was splitting from a professional association with influencer Chung Sui Sum, also known as “Five Suo,” suggesting Yumi was starting a rival venture. Lam adamantly denied the partnership claims, emphasizing that Yumi was never an investor in Chung’s beauty company and that their relationship was solely rooted in personal goodwill and friendship, not a formal business collaboration.
Lam stated that Yumi’s involvement was purely supportive, outlining extensive, uncompensated efforts to help Chung launch her business. While Yumi introduced the enterprise to many of the brands it now distributes, Lam asserted that Yumi received no sales commission or financial benefit from these introductions.
Generous Support Eclipsed by Rumors
The press conference detailed the depth of Yumi’s assistance, which included significant financial and logistical aid. Lam revealed that Yumi initially provided over 100,000 Hong Kong dollars in a personal loan to help fund the company’s startup phase—a move he argued was inconsistent with any intention of immediately establishing a competing business.
“If she intended to start her own rival company, why would she provide capital assistance?” Lam questioned rhetorically, stressing that Yumi’s motivations were altruistic, focused on aiding a friend rather than profiting or pursuing wealth.
Furthermore, Yumi undertook numerous tasks essential to the company’s early success, often on a pro bono or heavily discounted basis. Lam highlighted that she designed the company’s logo, website, and product photography. She also filmed promotional content for a fee significantly below market rates and even declined her own professional engagements to dedicate time to ensuring Chung’s company was successfully launched before stepping back from the operational involvement.
Yumi Emphasizes Financial Independence and Self-Reliance
Although Yumi did not appear at the press briefing, she later took to social media to comment on the matter, offering a broader perspective on women’s financial independence and resilience.
In a candid post, she stressed the critical importance of a woman securing her own career and financial stability. “I have always said, money belonging to the person next to you is not your money, and how it is freely distributed is not within your control; everything is superficial glamour,” she wrote.
Yumi passionately asserted that self-sufficiency is the ultimate path to respect and empowerment. She warned against complete financial dependency on a partner, suggesting that it can lead to marginalization where a woman might be dismissed with comments like, “I provide you with a house and food—what more do you want?”
She acknowledged her deep personal disappointment over the subsequent fallout and public accusations from someone she had genuinely invested time and effort in helping. “To have someone I once sincerely connected with eventually bring people out to confuse right and wrong, that is truly disheartening,” she expressed.
Concluding her statement, Yumi reiterated her desire to move forward, urging those involved to cease engaging in “petty maneuvers” and instead focus on their own earnest work. “I will continue to offer my best wishes,” she affirmed.
The extensive effort and capital Yumi reportedly invested underscore a growing theme in the digital economy: the blurry line between personal support, professional collaboration, and intellectual contributions—especially as celebrity influence becomes a major driver of new businesses. The public clarification aims to settle the confusion and reframe Yumi’s initial actions as genuine friendship rather than a fraught partnership attempting to dissolve.