APA Spotlight: Paul “PK” Kim, Founder of Kollaboration & Co-founder of Liberty in North Korea

APA Spotlight is a weekly interview of Asian Pacific Islander Americans (APIA) community leaders. It is a spotlight on individuals who have dedicated their careers to issues surrounding the APIA community with the goal of bringing much deserved recognition to their work and cause(s).

Paul “PK” Kim is the founder and Exec. Director of a non profit organization and annual Asian talent show called Kollaboration, which now in its eleventh year, draws over 15,000 people annually in twelve cities: LA, Chicago, NY, Toronto, Atlanta, Houston, San Francisco, Tulsa, Seattle, Washington DC, Boston, and Lansing. The next Kollaboration concert will be in Boston on April 16. They will also be having auditions for their DC show.

In addition, Paul has his own YouTube Channel. Be sure to check out his videos.

Along with Adrian Hong, he is also the co-founder of LiNK, a non profit organization dedicated to bring awareness to the needs of North Korean refugees. Liberty In North Korea

POP UP
PK is the Host and Associate Producer of BPM – Beats Per Mnet, The #1 Asian Pop and Hip Hop destination on TV. With his co-host Felicia Khong, they bring you the best music videos along with celebrity interviews, food, fashion, and tech news. This groundbreaking show is priceless in its value as a cultural bridge between Asia and America. Mnet is currently in eight million homes in America and countless homes in Asia. Mnet – Where Asian Pop Lives

STAND UP
He is the host of Dream Big Fridays, 8pm at The World Famous Laugh Factory on Sunset in Hollywood. He was one of the original hosts of Asian Nights at The Laugh Factory for four years. During that 200 week run, he brought over 10,000 people to the club, many of them seeing stand up comedy live for the first time.

He has performed stand up comedy in over 50 universities across the United States. His passion is laughing really loud with friends and making good memories. Some of his comedic inspirations: Brian Regan, Conan O’ Brien, Eddie Murphy, Jerry Seinfeld, Dave Chappelle, Chris Rock, Tony Rock, Cedric The Entertainer, George Lopez, Jo Koy, Dane Cook, Bobby Lee, Russell Peters, Ellen Degeneres, Margaret Cho, Daniel Tosh, Jim Gaffigan, Johnny Sanchez, Darren Carter, & countless others.

For two years he hosted a weekly show on AM Radio with a low budget and less than 10 confirmed listeners. He also was a first round winner on the rapidly canceled, Ed McMahon’s ‘Next Big Star.’

SHOWING UP
He 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) He was born and raised in the rough streets of south central Burbank, California. Burbank is Johnny Carson’s hood, his earliest inspiration in comedy.

FOLLOWING UP
He is the founder and Exec. Director of a non profit organization and annual Asian talent show called Kollaboration, which now in its eleventh year, draws over 15,000 people annually in twelve cities: LA, Chicago, NY, Toronto, Atlanta, Houston, San Francisco, Tulsa, Seattle, Washington DC, Boston, and Lansing.

GETTING DOWN
To pay bills and help feed his two year old son, Solomon, he manages a wedding events company called Prokreation Productions – www.prokreation.com. He has emceed, DJ’d, and provided sound for over 250 weddings and counting. In short, he helps make babies!

What is the mission statement of your life?

DREAM BIG.

How did you end up doing what you’re doing?

Ever since I saw Eddie Murphy’s Delirious when I was a kid, I’ve always wanted to do stand-up comedy. Stand-up comedians always said what people were thinking but afraid to say. I went to open mics for a year before I became the host of Asian Nights at The World Famous Laugh Factory. I’ve been doing it for eight years now. I started Kollaboration out of college at 23-years-old. It has now grown to 13 cities. I’m now the host of BPM on Mnet. www.mnet.com

If Hollywood made a movie about your life, whom would you like to see play the lead role as you?

Dumbfoundead. A nerdy, goofier Dumbfoundead.

How can people find out more about your organization or get involved?

www.kollaboration.org, www.mnet.com, www.laughfactory.com. www.linkglobal.org

If you had a crystal ball, what do you see for the future of the Asian Pacific Islander American community?

Academy Awards, Grammys, More Platinum Albums. TV shows, Authors, Journalists, Nobel Peace Prize Winners, and playing a critical role in keeping peace between Eastern and Western countries.

Bonus Question: What advice do you have for young professionals? Would you give different advice for young Asian Pacific Islander American professionals?

Life is SHORT. Billions and billions of people have come and gone. No one at the end of their life wished they had spent more time at the office chasing more money. Chase your dreams and make memories with your loved ones along the way.

Bonus Question: What are your comfort foods and what memories do you have associated with them?

SUSHI! I can eat Sushi every day. Korean BBQ. Tofu. My mom and dad loved sushi and Korean BBQ.

Bonus Question: What’s your guilty pleasure?

Reality TV. I hate myself for watching it.

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