Funnyman Wonho Chung to perform his witty rants live with The Laughter Factory
Sometimes it is best to just let it out. This is what South Korean comic Wonho Chung plans to do during his performance at The Theatre in Mall of the Emirates on Thursday, August 20.
With Life in Quarantine,a family-friendly show, Chung plans to “rant and vent” – in his dry and witty style – about some of his experiences while self-isolating in his Dubai home.
The show is Chung’s first performance for a live audience in four months.
The funnyman’s most recent gig was a virtual show last month, which was streamed on the social media pages of the Abu Dhabi Cultural Foundation.
Born to a South Korean father and Vietnamese mother, and raised in Jordan, Chung made his stand-up debut as a supporting act for the 2007 regional hit tour Axis of Comedy, starring Egyptian-American comic Ahmed Ahmed, Maz Jobrani from Iran and Palestinian funnymen Aron Kader and Dean Obeidallah.
Chung went on to forge his own path as a solo comedian and actor.
He earned strong reviews for a starring role in the 2017 Ramadan drama Saq Al
Bamboo, a television adaptation of award-winning novel The Bamboo Stalk by Kuwaiti author Saud Alsanousi.
Describing comedy as his first love, Chung regards his material as constantly evolving, reflecting not only his personal growth but that of the region as well.
“My comedy at the beginning of my career was mostly focusing on ethnic stereotypes, and that is because I look a certain way and I speak a language that is different to the way I look,” he told The
National last year.
“So before, I was mostly focusing on accents – I do Filipino, Korean and a few others – and now things have changed.
“I won’t say that there has been a backlash to that form of comedy, I would say that the conversation has developed and there are more interesting things that are happening in the world today that are worth talking about.”
The show will run with a limited capacity and follow the social-distancing measures put in place by the Dubai health authorities.
Chung’s performance is among many other stand-up comedy shows coming to Dubai throughout the month.
In addition to two sold-out performances by UK comic Jimmy Carr at Dubai World Trade Centre on Thursday and Friday, The Laughter Factory is back with another run of shows.
Headlining the latest instalment are UK comedians Eddy Brimson and Leo Kearse, plus up-and-coming Canadian comic Dana Alexander.
The trio will perform at Zabeel House by Jumeirah – The Greens on Wednesday and at Grand Millennium Dubai Barsha Heights on Thursday and Friday.
All shows will adhere to the strict social-distancing regulations, with tables set two metres apart and seating a maximum of four people.
Before, I was mostly focusing on accents – I do Filipino, Korean and a few others – and now things have changed
Tickets cost Dh95 and are available at dubai.platinumlist.net and www.thelaughterfactory.com