Paul PK Kim is a regular at World Famous Laugh Factory, Improv, Comedy Store, Pasadena Ice House, Haha Comedy Club, The Hollywood and Pasadena Comedy! He has brought over 10,000 people to the clubs, many of them seeing stand up comedy live for the first time. He’s performed at over 100 universities across the United States.
Paul PK Kim: a Pioneer in Entertainment
PK Kim was The Grand Prize Winner of The Uncle Clyde’s Comedy Cup at The Pasadena Icehouse sponsored by H2F Productions, which featured 100 comedians and he took first place. Growing up PK stands for Paul Kim and Preacher’s Kid. (Preacher’s Kids = Problem Kids).
Kollaboration
PK Kim is the Founder, Exec. Director, and host for ten years of a non profit organization and annual Asian talent show called Kollaboration, which now in its 20th year, draws thousands of people annually across the nation. www.kollaboration.org
Paul PK Kim, the Co-Founder of LiNK
He is the Co-founder of LiNK, Liberty in North Korea, a non profit organization dedicated to bring awareness to the needs of North Korean refugees. www.linkglobal.org
Tell us about your background? Where are you from and how did you grow up?
I’m born and raised in Burbank, CA for the first 21 years of my life and I LOVE BURBANK. People sh*t on Burbank as a boring city but it has everything you want and need for a city to raise a family and a FUN City. Try me. 🙂
Who inspires you?
My parents came to America with less than $500 in the 60s and raised five of us.
How did you get into comedy?
After my parents went to sleep, I used to watch The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson. He was a Comedy Gangster. And my friend had a cassette tape of Eddie Murphy, Delirious. That tape changed my life.
Do you have any advice to people who want to get into comedy?
What is the story behind Kollaboration? How did it all come together?
After I graduated from Occidental College, I wanted to start a talent show that provided a platform for Asian American singers, dancers, rappers, comedians, bands and everyone who didn’t have a stage. So I did it. And lost a lot of money. But after I met Roy Choi, he provided the funds to grow nationwide and I THANK HIM for that and all the staff, especially Christine Sejin, Rina, and Minji. SO many others, but I love them so much.
What would be your ultimate project?
A Netflix Special. I’m not as talented as Jo Koy, my brother, but I believe I’m right under him and better than some of the others on Netlfix.
What projects are you working on now?
Raising my three kids with my wife. Number ONE priority. They all get Straight As and take Piano, Tae Kwon Do, Trumpet, Guitar, Korean, Tennis, and more. We LOVE THEM SO MUCH and they’re such good kids.
Do you have any influencer friends who we should be following on Instagram?
DANIEL DAE KIM. LISA LING. Tiger Belly. Dumbfoundead. Fahim Anwar. Jason Cheny. George Wang. Mike Kim. DAVID CHRISTOPHER LEE! DANIEL KIM, MERCHLABS. and so many more.
What does beauty mean to you?
Humility. TAMMY KIM, MY WIFE. WON SOON KIM, MY MOM. HANNAH KIM and ESTHER KIM, MY OLDER SISTERS. DR. JUNG HI KIM, MY MOTHER IN LAW.
How has the Asian American talent scene changed over the years?
YES, YOU YOUTUBE. More experimentation, confidence, and distribution.
What does it mean to be Asian American?
SPEAK UP. We’re SO QUIET. It kills me.
Do you have any meditation/mindset practices?
Yes, I don’t work out much but when I do, Push ups and pull ups and I pray for my family while I’m doing it.
What does success mean to you?
LOVE and FREEDOM.
Where can we find you? www.pkcomedy.com www.prokreationMCDJ.com
