« Chinese Chrono Trigger, Oi!
The buzz on AA musician movers n’ shakers at the KoreAm Benefit Show »

Comedian Eliot Chang

In support of KoreAm Journal, some of the comic community’s funniest talents came out to perform at the Laugh Factory in Long Beach, CA on Thursday, December 11. The event was moderated by Kollaboration’s PK (Paul Kim) and featured actor James Kyson Lee, of NBC’s Heroes, as the guest of honor. The musical line up of acts included Bobby “Big Phony” Choi, Caroline Kang, Dumbfoundead, and Samuel Geunjin Kang.

Tearing up the comic stage was a string comedians: Andy Hur, Walter Hong, Eliot Chang, and Kevin Shea, as well as PK. Hur, a self-professed “former fatty,” had no trouble cracking jokes about his recent weight loss, which made for some good – albeit typical – chuckles. For the most part, he pretty much screamed throughout his whole set, and I found myself wondering if he was using this act as a forum to air out hunger pains. Not bad, but mostly disturbing to watch.

Next up was Walter Hong, who was introduced as “The Cleanest Act in Town,” which is totally true if you scrub down with mud and grime, then rinse off with motor oil. Yes, dirty is an understatement when it comes to the rollicking humor of Hong, but that’s what’s so brilliant about him. Most of the time, the funniest things are the things people are afraid to talk about, and Hong understands this well. Nothing about the human body is off limits to this guy.

Angry One, check. Grubby One, double check. Now it was time for some serious gut busting: what would I call Eliot Chang? Probably the Metro One. Chang is a self-professed cheater, and while I desperately wanted to write off his material as d-bag fodder, I couldn’t help but get caught up in his tsunami of an act. His is the kind of act that can bait you in on charisma alone. And then once you’re reeled in, you end up thinking cheaters are just a misunderstood lot. Besides, how do you stay mad at a man that makes you laugh? Wait, what the hell am I saying…?

Comedian Kevin Shea

Comedian Kevin Shea

Last up, but certainly not least, was Kevin Shea. Shea brought down the house with a lethal combination of self-deprecation, lip and wit. What is particularly interesting about Shea is that he doesn’t share the perspective of the I’m-so-Asian comedian. Shea is of Korean descent, but was adopted and raised in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. He was pretty much the only Asian in town, so he can’t exactly bank his act on imitating his Asian parents’ accents. This guy’s just straight up funny. My favorite bit was about the state of the economy within his apartment: in order to recoup losses, the studio’s coming in and eliminating the walls, but the couch doesn’t have to freak out about the bed – he’s letting the bed go and planning to promote the couch to futon status. If there’s one thing I can appreciate in a comic act, it’s commiserating about our brokenness.

Esne and Tiffany, supporters of KoreAm and Audrey

Attendees Esne and Tiffany

Musician Dumbfoundead

Musician Dumbfoundead

Musician Samuel Geunjin Kang

Musician Samuel Geunjin Kang

Far*East Movement's KevNish

Far*East Movement's KevNish

Far*East Movement's KevNish compliments Kevin Shea on his brilliant comedy performance.

Far*East Movement's KevNish compliments Kevin Shea on his brilliant comedy performance.

Comedian Walter Hong, Far*East Movement's James "Prohgress" and KevNish

Comedian Walter Hong, Far*East Movement's James "Prohgress" and KevNish


Rating:
(Avg: Need 5 votes)
 

 
0
0

LOL
0
WTF
0
Cool
0
Win
0
Fail
0
Cute
0
Geeky
0



« Chinese Chrono Trigger, Oi!
The buzz on AA musician movers n’ shakers at the KoreAm Benefit Show »

This blog post is popular on:

google.com

 

No reactions to display.

30 Comments »

Dear Guest, please login to comment

Login

You can use your Mixr, Facebook, Twitter, Google, or Yahoo account to comment

Create New Account | Forgot password?


Please keep the comments clean by not posting advertisements, profanity, or personal attacks. Terms of Use.

Having trouble registering? Try our non-javascript registration page.

 

seems really fun!


minty - 12/15/08 8:35 am

I don’t really believe Asian Magazines can make it in America. Paper just cost too much now and days and everything is digital.

Not many people even heard of Robot Monkey? I think Yolk is gone too.

I always wanted a asian popculture magazine but taken from asia not just asian america but combining all the cool things…

something that combines the grace of ANAN but the youth of junior or potato, with sort of a rolling stone feel that also coveres social/current issues. You know Something like NINGIN lol


I don’t really believe Asian Magazines can make it in America. Paper just cost too much now and days and everything is digital.


niichan - 12/15/08 6:10 am

You’ve had people be rude? That’s so rude! haha I mean this is PR for them.

For lots of reasons, some people are just harder to interview than others, which isn’t a problem because you just have to work around it. Sooner or later, they’ll open up in varying degrees. But it’s really nice when people are open and enthusiastic right off the bat.

I haven’t really had a rude experience during an interview, but I was once kicked out of a venue simply because the owner was on bad terms with the place I was writing for. Haha, now that was totally rude. And fun.


You’ve had people be rude? That’s so rude! haha I mean this is PR for them.


MiaLerda - 12/15/08 5:59 am

I am so happy you guys went to this.

and isnt Kev one of the nicest guys ever? I met him finally at a club hiro performance way back. Far East Movement doesnt get to NYC enough.

Yes! Kev is a friendly guy. He’s generous with answering questions, which I can’t say for a lot of people I’ve interviewed in the past.


I am so happy you guys went to this.

and isnt Kev one of the nicest guys ever? I met him finally at a club hiro performance way back. Far East Movement doesnt get to NYC enough.


rayeosunlight - 12/15/08 5:33 am

“For the most part, he pretty much screamed throughout his whole set, and I found myself wondering if he was using this act as a forum to air out hunger pains.”

Hahaha!

But seriously, I find that people who base their comedy on their weight are copping out. It gets old, fast. And if it does manage to emit some sort of laughter from me, it’s usually of the awkward, should I be laughing?, uncomfortable variety.

He wasn’t even fat anymore, so it was kind of like ehhh I think it’s time to write new material dude…


Jekki - 12/15/08 5:43 am

I don’t mind fat jokes from big people. I do mind Asian jokes from self-deprecating Asians.

Same here. I like Margaret Cho for who she is as a public figure, but I think I’m in the minority when it comes to her comedy: I can’t stand it.

I remember catching one of her early acts (back when she had that short-lived sitcom) when I was a kid, and was like… why the hell are you ragging on your mom like that? I dunno, family jokes are pretty normal, and maybe I can be too serious, but I think putting on accents and playing into stereotypes is hella cheap.


I don’t mind fat jokes from big people. I do mind Asian jokes from self-deprecating Asians.


Yeah I agree...it’s like is that all you can talk about?


“For the most part, he pretty much screamed throughout his whole set, and I found myself wondering if he was using this act as a forum to air out hunger pains.”

Hahaha!

But seriously, I find that people who base their comedy on their weight are copping out. It gets old, fast. And if it does manage to emit some sort of laughter from me, it’s usually of the awkward, should I be laughing?, uncomfortable variety.


Hahaha maybe next time then.


higheve - 12/14/08 10:04 pm

Did you guys get any autographs?

Oh man, that didn’t even cross my mind! But I did get to speak with most of the performers and got them to strike a pose for me, so it’s all good.


Jasmin - 12/14/08 9:55 pm

It’s a magazine.

It’s really sad that there’s not more Asian magazines in the US. Then again paper media isn’t really popular anymore.

Definitely, when I spoke with James Ryu, president and editor-and-chief of KoreAm, he talked about the 30% profit losses in ad revenue within these past two years alone. Magazines all across the board are suffering badly at the moment, and it’s especially unfortunate for a magazine that had a smaller audience (relative to other national titles) to begin with.


Sakura - 12/14/08 8:02 pm

So is Elliot Chang. He’s one of my faves.

I know right! He really knows how to work the stage and crowd. It was such a treat seeing him perform.


lan - 12/14/08 8:01 pm

Dumbfoundead is funny.

Hilarious and chill to speak with. We’ll keep you updated on a battle he mentioned.


higheve - 12/14/08 10:04 pm

Did you guys get any autographs?

No, I wish. It didn’t cross our minds at the time. We were trying to talk to as many people possible.


tokawaii - 12/14/08 8:16 pm

Did you take any video?

We would’ve loved to, but Laugh Factory house rules prohibits video :(


Miss.Kang - 12/14/08 8:07 pm

James Kyson Lee was there?! I wish I went..

He was there. If you’re in the LA area, he’s hosting a birthday party at Arena. Far*East Movement is performing. Not sure if it’s open to the public though. I can find out if you’d like.


Elliot Chang is awesome.


Did you guys get any autographs?


Looked like fun. Comedy shows are the best.


It’s a magazine.

It’s really sad that there’s not more Asian magazines in the US. Then again paper media isn’t really popular anymore.


Never heard of KoreAm journal before.


<< Start < Prev 1 2 Next > End >>

Follow Us


suggest a link

Ningin Reward Center Ningin Voices

newsletter

Tips

We love to hear from our users! Let us know what you'd like us to write about at tips@ningin.com.

PopularBlogPosts

MustRead


Categories


Archives