Channel News Asia primetime anchor Julie Yoo finds balance between breaking news, and finding fairways.

At three each morning, while much of Singapore is still asleep, Julie Yoo is already preparing to deliver the day’s first headlines. By afternoon, the veteran news anchor occasionally trades the bright lights of the newsroom for the open fairways, swapping breaking news for birdies and the relentless pace of live television for the quiet rhythm of a golf swing.

It may seem like an unlikely pairing, but for Julie, journalism and golf demand many of the same qualities. Both require discipline, resilience and the ability to remain calm under pressure. Away from the newsroom, golf has become more than a pastime. It is where she resets, sharpens her focus and briefly escapes the constant demands of live broadcasting.

“Golf humbles you,” she says. “The most important shot in golf is the next one. You can’t dwell on the bad one — you just move on. It’s most about just drowning out all the noise. I think that’s part of the reason why I like golf. You can just force yourself to concentrate and be in the moment.”

Long before she ever swung a golf club, Julie had already developed an appreciation for the game through her father, whose passion for golf left a lasting impression on her. Watching him practise at home, pore over books by the sport’s greats such as Tiger Woods, Ernie Els and Jack Nicklaus, and proudly care for his trophies sparked a fascination that stayed with her for years.

Despite that, it wasn’t until nine years ago that Julie took her first proper golf lesson, three years after moving to Singapore to further her broadcasting career. Today, a busy work schedule means she only plays a couple of times a month at either Singapore Island Country Club, or Tanah Merah Country Club. Outside of anchoring Asia First, she’s also heavily involved in other news-related work but finds that golf is perfect for re-charging before getting back to the office.

A GLOBAL VOICE

Julie was born in South Korea, but her childhood and early adulthood took her across the United States, Hong Kong, and later the United Kingdom where she attended university. Constantly adapting to new schools, cultures and friendships shaped the global perspective that would later define both her journalism and her outlook on life.

Those early moves weren’t always easy. Quiet by nature, she often found herself searching for where she belonged until storytelling gave her a voice.

“Living overseas constantly meant being the new kid, trying to adapt and identify where I belong,” she recalls. “It was hard. I was a very shy and quiet kid back then so it was a bit of a struggle. I think it was during the university years I discovered the power of storytelling through visuals and audio. That was liberating. I was so hooked on it. Through this, I could really tell my story. There were people listening even though I was different.”

After graduating, Julie returned to South Korea to begin her broadcasting career at Arirang TV, the country’s English-language broadcaster. She worked behind the scenes as an assistant director, yet it was an unexpected opportunity, rather than a carefully mapped career plan, that eventually placed her in front of the camera.

When voice actors were unavailable one day, Julie stepped into the recording booth to read a few scripts. Her natural delivery caught the attention of her supervisors, who encouraged her to audition as a television news reporter. What began as a small opportunity soon developed into a career covering some of South Korea’s most important institutions, including the Unification Ministry, the Foreign Ministry and The Blue House, before she eventually moved into anchoring the news.

FROM BEHIND THE CAMERA TO PRIMETIME

Another chance encounter would shape the next chapter of her career. While visiting Singapore to emcee an event, Julie met then-CNA anchor Suzanne Jung. A casual conversation led to an unexpected piece of advice that would ultimately bring her back to the Lion City. “She was so down to earth and then she told me she was leaving CNA and suggested I send my CV. The rest is history,” added Julie to the serendipitous encounter.

The move to Singapore marked another turning point. Over the past seven years, Julie has become a familiar presence on Asia First. The role carries immense responsibility; one she approaches with a strong sense of purpose.

“In journalism, credibility is our currency. Once you lose it, it’s very hard to get it back. She admits. “Journalism is not just about delivering the news but about helping audiences understand why news matters. Accuracy matters more than being first. Trust is journalism’s most valuable asset and I aim to be a steady voice, an intelligent guide, and someone who helps audiences better understand the world.”

For Julie, every day begins with the possibility that somewhere in the world, an important story is unfolding. The privilege of uncovering those stories—and explaining why they matter—remains the part of the job she enjoys most.

That move to Singapore also brought significant changes in her personal life. It was at MediaCorp that Julie met her husband, Nicholas Fang, the former national triathlete and fencer who is now Managing Director of Black Dot Pte Ltd. The couple married in 2016.

FINDING BALANCE ON THE FAIRWAY

The demanding schedule of a breakfast television anchor leaves little room for a conventional routine. Julie began looking for something that challenged her both mentally and physically. Golf proved to be exactly what she needed.

Julie believes golf and broadcasting have far more in common than most people realise. Both demand concentration under pressure, the ability to recover quickly from mistakes and the discipline to stay present rather than dwelling on what has already happened.

“In golf, lingering on a mistake can ruin your round. In live TV, dwelling on an error can derail the bulletin. You reset instantly, respect the error, and move on.”

Like many golfers, however, the 16.8-handicapper is quick to admit that she’s still learning and that one of her biggest challenges is simply slowing herself down. “There are definitely areas for improvement when it comes to my game. I admit to playing fast — a trait I attribute to my Korean upbringing and the urgency of newsroom life.”

Golf has also become something she enjoys sharing with others. Over the years, she has encouraged several colleagues to take up the sport, including former CNA presenter Steve Lai, who credits Julie with inspiring him to return to the game more seriously.

ENCOUNTERS WITH LEGENDS

Some of Julie’s most memorable golfing experiences have come not from the scorecards, but from the people the game has brought into her life. One encounter remains unforgettable.

During a golf-and-whiskey event in Ho Chi Minh City, Julie unexpectedly found herself paired with six-time major champion Sir Nick Faldo on the very course he had designed.

“That evening involved a fairly enthusiastic amount of socializing and the next morning we were supposed to play a round of golf,” Julie recounts. “There were a lot of people but let’s just say that everyone didn’t make it! Thanks to my anchoring early in the morning, Nick and I were there ready to hit the ball”, she says laughing, “So I was fortunate to be paired up with him.”

The opportunity to share a round with one of golf’s most celebrated figures became one of those experiences that few golfers ever forget. More importantly, it reinforced one of the things Julie appreciates most about the sport: beyond the competition, golf has an extraordinary way of bringing people together and opening doors to friendships and experiences that might otherwise never happen.

LIFE BEYOND THE NEWSROOM

Away from the studio and the golf course, Julie is happiest exploring another of

Singapore’s passions—food. A self- confessed foodie, she regularly shares

recommendations from her dining adventures on social media, balancing golf and travel with a genuine appreciation for good meals.

Despite having lived across several countries, Korean cuisine remains closest to her heart, particularly the dishes prepared by her mother. “Koreans take their food very seriously and I love anything my mom cooks, I really miss my mom’s cooking. I do see myself as a foodie so I enjoy good food and drinks. Being in Singapore, it’s so hard not to explore so much of the good food.”

Singapore has also introduced Julie to a rich local food culture that she has embraced wholeheartedly. Ask her to choose a favourite hawker dish and the answer comes without hesitation.

“Hokkien Mee is my favourite local dish,” she laughs.

While Singapore has become home, family also continues to anchor Julie’s life. Her parents remain in South Korea, while her two younger sisters are spread across the globe—one based in Singapore and the other in the United States.

THREE WORDS THAT DEFINE JULIE

Ask Julie to describe herself in just three words and she doesn’t hesitate.

“Global, because of my cross-border background and I’ve been shaped by living across multiple countries and cultures. Growth, because I’ve evolved from behind the camera to in front of it and am constantly evolving both professionally and personally. And Guts because I have developed the courage to step in front of the camera and perform under pressure.”

Those three words neatly capture the journey that has brought her from a shy child navigating new countries to an international broadcaster trusted by audiences across the region. They also describe the golfer she continues to become—someone who embraces every round as another opportunity to learn, improve and begin again.

If given the chance to assemble her dream flight, Julie’s choices are “Tiger Woods – the ultimate golf partner and interview subject – Lydia Ko – one of the warmest and most genuine people I have met. She has talent, Korean heritage, personality and very gentle energy. And my husband – he keeps me grounded and calm in pressure situations.”

LOOKING AHEAD

So, what does she hope the rest of 2026 will bring? Her answer reflects the balance she has worked hard to build between her profession and the sport she loves. “More early mornings, hopefully more birdies, and continued growth in both broadcasting and golf.”

For Julie, the greatest reward has never been simply delivering the news. It is knowing that her work helps people better understand the world around them.

“I will keep on telling stories and try to be that steady and intelligent voice. Hopefully, people will listen and be more informed. If they can make better decisions in their lives based on this, then, yes, I’ll continue to do this.”

It is a philosophy that extends well beyond the newsroom. In golf, as in journalism, there will always be difficult days, missed opportunities, and moments that test both patience and resolve. What matters is having the humility to learn from them and the courage to move forward.

“The most important shot in golf is the next one,” she repeats with a smile.