Bonggun Kim & Kansei Yasuda

What inspired you both to team up for “Two Asians One Cup,” and how did the idea for a double-bill comedy tour first come about?

Bonggun Kim: We’ve known each other since Kansei first came to Canada about three years ago. There aren’t a lot of Korean or Japanese comedians here, so when we met, it was like, “Oh, one of us!” Naturally, we started running shows together, and around the same time both of our careers began taking off — getting followers online, building audiences. That’s when we thought, why not team up and do something bigger? That’s how the double-bill tour was born.

As for the name — honestly, it came out in two seconds. It’s just two Asians, and the phrase “Two Girls One Cup” popped into my head. So I said, “Two Asians One Cup!” That’s it. Comedy.

Your comedic styles are very different, high-energy and physical versus slow-paced and deadpan. How do you think those contrasts enhance the live experience for audiences?

BK: I’m very high-energy and animated, so I usually open the show by basically throwing gas on the fire — getting people laughing hard and bringing the room’s energy to the highest level. That opens people’s minds and gets them ready.

Then Kansei comes on with this slow-paced, very focused style that just pulls people in. It’s such a contrast — the audience goes from this wild ride to being completely locked into the moment.

By the end, when we come back out to sell merch, people really see what “Two Different Asians” means. On the surface, they might expect us to be similar just because we’re both Asian, but in reality, our styles couldn’t be more different. And that contrast is what makes the whole live experience so fun and memorable for the audience.

What has been the most memorable audience reaction you’ve experienced so far on this tour?

BK: One of the most memorable things has been realizing who’s actually in the audience. Honestly, our crowds have been pretty white, which makes sense because this is Canada but it was something we didn’t expect and actually really enjoyed. As Asian comedians, we thought the audience would be mostly Asian, but instead we’ve been seeing that our viewpoints and our work are connecting beyond cultures and backgrounds. That’s been really special.

Another thing is how genuinely friendly and kind people have been across different regions. Living in Toronto, you get used to the fast, packed, metropolitan vibe where people don’t always stop to connect. But traveling through other parts of Canada reminded us that the majority of the country is still very warm and welcoming, and that’s been one of the most memorable and refreshing parts of this tour.

Representation is a big theme in your work. How has being Asian comedians in Canada shaped your perspectives on the industry and your material?

BK: Canada has really shaped us in different ways. Yes, we’re Asian comedians, but that’s only a small part of our identity. It’s our background, where we came from so of course we can’t ignore it. But what we want to share most is our viewpoint: how growing up in Asia, with Asian parents and that society, shaped our lives and perspectives. That gives us a fresh lens to bring into Canadian society.

The world is so connected now, what happens in one place is experienced in another but the difference is always in perspective. As comedians, our job is to show how we think in a funny way. Sometimes comedy even lets you take difficult issues and flip them into something positive, or at least shed light on them in a way that makes people laugh and reflect.

And being in Canada, which is such a diverse country both culturally and ethnically, has given us even more opportunities. We get to test these perspectives with so many different crowds, and that constant exchange has been a big part of shaping both our material and our growth as comedians.

You’ve both gone viral online in very different ways. How has social media helped shape your careers, and what challenges come with that kind of visibility?

BK: Social media definitely shaped our careers. It gave us that “we did it” moment, and it’s still doing it. It became both proof of our work and a springboard to new opportunities. Because of that visibility, fans of our content and stand-up shows are showing up in person, and we’ve been able to collaborate with different businesses and companies that never would’ve found us otherwise.

The challenge, though, is not letting ourselves get too comfortable with one viral success. We don’t want to just sit on that; we want to keep creating better things, not only for the audience but for ourselves. What really makes us happy is the process: creating, refining, and then sharing something that connects with people. The visibility is amazing, but the real joy is in that cycle of making something new and meaningful again and again.

Kansei, your jokes often draw from your Japanese and Korean heritage.

Bonggun, your comedy thrives on physical storytelling. How do your cultural backgrounds influence your creative process?

Kansei Yasuda: My cultural background is what makes me different from other comedians—it’s what makes me unique. At the beginning, I tried not to use it much, but as my career grew, I realized it was something I needed to lean into. Talking about my heritage isn’t just natural, it’s who I am.

What role do you think comedy plays in breaking stereotypes and sparking real conversations about identity and diversity?

KY: In my opinion, stereotypes are like a comedian’s favorite toy—we all play with them in our own way. Sometimes I lean into Japanese stereotypes and make jokes out of them because, well, some of them are true. But I always try to go deeper than that. For example, people see Japanese culture as very polite and respectful, which is true—but there’s also another side, like how respect often depends on age. That’s a huge part of our society, and making jokes about it lets me show audiences something beyond the usual stereotypes. I’m not trying to “break” them—I’m trying to show that there’s more to us, even the darker or funnier sides.

This tour is also about connecting with fans who first discovered you online. What’s been the most surprising thing about meeting those fans in person?

KY: The most surprising thing is honestly just how excited they are to see us. In my five years of comedy, that’s never really happened before. Some people are even more proud of me getting the Kill Tony Golden Ticket than my actual parents—which is hilarious, but it makes me really happy.

The Canadian comedy scene is evolving. What changes have you noticed in terms of audiences’ appetite for culturally specific and authentic voices?

KY: It’s definitely evolving. I think audiences are becoming more interested in different perspectives every year. Canada is such a unique place because it’s so blended—people are open to hearing about each other’s cultures, almost like we’re all on the same team. That means I can go deeper with my material and share cultural details they might not expect. My job is to surprise them with those layers, and I’m really excited about that.

When the tour wraps up, what’s next for each of you and could we expect more collaborations in the future?

KY: After the tour, I’d like to work on building a 30-minute set that could eventually become an album. I don’t think I’m quite there yet, but that’s a goal I’m working toward. Another big step for me will be making my way into the U.S. Since Kill Tony is based there and I already have fans in the States, connecting with them is my next mission.