He’s a Just For Laughs “New Faces” alum and recently was spotlighted as a high-profile featured performer at the 2024 CBS Talent Showcase. As part of We Own The Laughs.com’s Comedian of the Day, have a few laughs and get to know comedian Peter Kim. The Flushing, Queens, NY native shares some of his favorite moments in stand-up comedy and explains how he always owns the laughs.
Name: Peter Kim
Hometown: Flushing, Queens, New York/Los Angeles, CA
Instagram/Twitter/Facebook/Snapchat/Tik-Tok: @peterkz
Years in Comedy: 10
Haven’t we seen you somewhere before: Series regular on ‘Fairfax’ (Prime Video) & Frasier (Paramount+)
Comedic Influences: Dave Attell, Bobby Lee, Louis C.K., & Margaret Cho
Favorite Comedy Album: Dave Attell “Skanks For The Memories”
Favorite Comedy Special: Bill Burr “Live at Red Rocks”
Favorite Comedy Movie: Me Myself and Irene
Favorite Comedy TV Show: Arrested Development
Favorite Comedic Character: George Constanza & Larry David
Favorite City to Perform In: Chicago, IL
Favorite Topics to Joke About: Gay Sex
Favorite Type of Audience for a Comedy Show: Slightly conservative & military hunks
Favorite Comedy Club: Comedy Cellar
How did you discover your passion for comedy:
When I was 16, I used to hang out at the Comedy Cellar while my straight friends went clubbing.
What do you remember most about your first time performing stand-up comedy:
How much I sucked. Inauthentic, bad, hack.
How would you describe your comedic style:
Autobiographical, acerbic, and nothing anyone ever asked for.
Describe your process for comedic writing:
Usually take a something that bothers me and I riff it out on stage. I try to have one joke in and one joke out, but most of the time it’s clunky and painful to watch.
Describe the comedy scene in your area:
Los Angeles. It’s a tough place for live performance writ large. Wish it was more like Chicago, where I came up.
How do you judge success in the world of comedy:
If you find your audience that sustains your work, not much else you need as an artist.
Who are some of your comedic peers that you enjoy watching perform or inspire you personally and professionally:
Just did some clowning with Andrea Jin. She was incredible to watch and play with, also love Eunji Kim from Chicago carving out her comedic domination.
What’s been your most memorable moment in comedy:
Every time I get called “Gay Bobby Lee” online.
What have you learned most from your failures in comedy:
The failures never stop, they just get less embarrassing
How do people react toward you when they realize that you can make people laugh:
“Hey, if this guy can do comedy….”
Describe building a career in stand-up comedy:
Sysiphian
If you could change one thing in the world of comedy, what would it be:
More artist owned clubs/venues.
Best advice you’ve ever received from a comedian:
“Write punchlines.” Also this one is from an improv teacher from Chicago, Mick Napier, which is “take care of your audience.” – that really changed the way I do stand up.
If you were releasing a comedy special this week, what would it be called:
“EXHAUSTED”
Funniest encounter you’ve ever had with a celebrity:
I pee’d next to Tom Hanks at an AMC once. I farted and ran away.
Weirdest place you’ve ever performed any form of comedy:
Zoom. IRL: In the attic of a residential home.
A Peter Kim Fun Fact:
Got a yellow belt in Tae Kwon Do because my dad bought it from the dojo.
Where would you like your laughs to take you:
DUBAI. But seriously? I really would love to go to Seoul and do comedy in Korean/English.
What would you tell a potential comedian if they ask you how they can own the laughs:
Start by renting.
What are your thoughts on the future of comedy:
I see comedy following the trajectory of music. For a while, it became vogue for everyone and their dads to have a “garage band.” I think comedy will become accessible to that level where people are doing it as a way to express themselves. I think that could only be better for comedy as an industry. And as AI proliferates the soulless, isolating, digital content we mindlessly consume, the more the general population will have a thirst for the live, imperfect, collective human experience.
If you could write an episode for ONE classic TV sitcom, which show would it be:
Friends – The One Where Everyone Brings Home An Ethnic Friend.
If you could choose ONE comedy club and THREE comedians to perform with on your perfect comedy show, how would it go:
Comedy Cellar – Bill Burr, Dave Attell, & Jessica Kirson
What’s next for you:
Headlining the Irvine Improv (first time) Friday 5/3 (I gotta sell 490 tickets!!)
Why should a person always laugh at life:
Cuz crying makes you look old and ugly.
Follow Peter Kim’s comedic journey on these social media websites:
Instagram/Twitter/Facebook/Snapchat/Tik-Tok: Peter Kim
Youtube: Peter Kim
Personal Website: Peter Kim
