Itaewon expats enjoy U.S. comics

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Itaewon expats enjoy U.S. comics

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American comedians Perry Kurtz, left, and Kurt Green perform before a crowd of about 85 people at B1 Lounge in Itaewon, central Seoul, Sunday. By Moon Gwang-lip

Giggles, chuckles and full-throated belly laughs filled an underground bar thick with smoke in the bustling Itaewon district on Sunday evening. Along with a yell ― “Yeehaa!”
Yeehaa?
This was supposedly a southern American expression meaning an enthusiastic “yes” according to American comedian Perry Kurtz, who asked the audience to yell back in response to his funny questions. The same yell was used by the audience to show displeasure with some of his jokes.
Kurtz and Kurt Green performed at the B1 Lounge, where around 85 people from the expatriate community filled the room and enjoyed being an audience for a standup comedy show in English, a rare entertainment event even in this most foreigner-frequented part of Seoul. Admission was 35,000 won ($38).
Most in the audience seemed to understand the jokes from Kurtz and Green, who both projected an image of a fast-mouthed bad boy throughout each of their 40-minute, one-man shows. Despite the range of languages, both comics later called the crowd an “intelligent audience,” meaning they understood the jokes.
Robert Miller, a 44-year-old businessman from Dallas, Texas, said the show was familiar to him.
“I enjoyed it very much, just like comedy clubs back in the United States,” Miller said.
Some of the non-Americans in the audience, despite their long exposure to American culture in the global era, had a hard time understanding some of the comics’ home-grown humor.
“It was not easy to catch some of the jokes,” said Lim Do-kyeong, a 26-year-old Korean working as an English teacher at a private language institute.
It was not a waste of time and money, though, Lim said.
“I’ve seen standup comedy only on television,” Lim said. “Here I saw one comedian making people laugh for almost an hour, using only his mouth. It’s a nice experience,” she said.
The two comedians, who first teamed up nine years ago, flew to Korea last week for several performances, including a number at U.S. military posts.
They spent the previous week in Japan, entertaining at U.S. bases there.
Kurtz is from Los Angeles and is a former erotic dancer. Green is from Georgia and is an Army veteran. Both have had colorful careers as comedians, including appearances in television and movies.
The one-night show in Itaewon, arranged by BH Productions, will be memorable, they said.
“This, to me, was the best show that we’ve had, because we didn’t have to explain anything,” Kurtz said after the show.
He said they had a hard time during the military base performances, because some soldiers were drunk and they had to explain a lot more jokes.
Green agreed.
“We had more intellectual crowds here. Teachers, diplomats, things like that,” Green said.
“In the States, there are more farmers and truck drivers. You never know who’s in the audience. So it’s a lot more intellectual. This is a lot better.”
Funny as it may sound, they said most of the stories they use for their comedy are based on actual events - although sometimes they will exaggerate.
They often incorporate events where they have been hurt or ridiculed for their material or routines.
“When we have bad things in our life, we talk about it. And if they laugh, they feel better,” Kurtz said, “because we are the ones hurt, not them.”
Both men enjoy their work and the pleasure it brings to the audience.
“We get a chance to escape everything going on outside the world around us for that little 40- or 45- minute gap,” Green said.
“I could be behind in my mortgage, my wife leaving me ― whatever. But for those 45 minutes, I get to block that out. I don’t have to think about that.”
And that is the moment that the comedians treasure most.
“The only time in our lives when we really feel we are doing what we’re born to do is when we make people laugh,” Kurtz said.
“It is the most unbelievably rewarding thing that I’ve ever known, because when you are in front of an audience that is laughing, they love you.”
On Monday, when Kurtz, 56, heads back to Los Angeles, it will mark the 30th anniversary of his comedy career.
Asked if he plans a special celebration, Kurtz shook his head.
“As long as I get paid for doing this, as long as I am allowed to do what I love, it’s special,” Kurtz said.
“It’s always special. Every show is just as special as the last one.”
Here are some tips that Kurtz shared for those tired of boring other people.
“It’s important to let yourself out,” Kurtz said. “Don’t take things too seriously. Try to laugh over things. Make fun of yourself. If you fall down, your friends will ask. ‘Boys, do I look funny?’ Then they are going to go, ‘Yeah!’ You all feel better together. And that keeps people connected.”


By Moon Gwang-lip Staff Writer [enational@joongang.co.kr]
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