When you think "favorite comics", who comes to mind? Surely we have all found laughter in the movies, comedy clubs, and television. But have we often come up with the names of Asian-American Comics? If not, did you ever question why?

Well, we at A-Profiler would like to introduce you to an Asian-American woman who dared to ask that bold question, and has taken the steps towards being a "household name" when you think about "comedy". We welcome one of the newer faces on the performing scene, Ms. Tina Kim.

Name: Tina Kim

Nickname(s): Wiener

Web Name: tkcomic@go.com

Education: B.A. University of Washington in broadcast journalism

My Fortune Cookie Motto / Cliché / Quote: YOU GO GURL, AND DON'T MAKE ME SET IT AWHF!

Asian decent? KOREAN Which Generation? Second Generation

Languages Spoken / KOREAN Fluency level? Fluent in Korean

Occupation / Career: Stand up comic / Producer / and Actor

Why I do what I do: It's creative, I get to be an artist, and I want to make a difference in the media when it comes to portraying Asian Americans.

Current Project(s): Writing a sitcom pilot, working on a one woman show and producing stand up comedy showcases.

Goal(s): Have my own movie studio company that promotes, produces, and encourages other Asian American writers, actors and directors. I want to direct eventually.

My Site URL(s): www.tinakim.com

Purpose / Mission Statement of your site: To let people in on what my life is like, as an Asian American woman trying to make it in the stand up world as well as in acting. It's a way for my fans to get a glimpse into my daily life. It's definitely for people who want to know me.

People should visit my site if: They want to know what it's like being a rising comic in New York City. Also to read some funny reviews of movies and TV shows.

First time on the Internet: 1996

Current average time spent on-line: Five hours a week.

Favorite Sites: YAHOO.COM, TINAKIM.COM, PETSHOPBOY.NET, EONLINE.COM, COPDOG.COM

Western Horoscope Sign: Capricorn

I’m most like my sign in that: I am determined and focused.

Name three shows you currently like watching on a regular basis everyday or every week? (Three shows you hate missing.) Ally McBeal, The Parkers, and The Jamie Foxx Show.

What were three of your favorite shows growing up? (nolonger run – not counting syndication) Three's Company, Thirty Something, and 21 Jump Street.

Name three songs that make you happy every time they're played on the radio? Love Will Save the Day by Desree, Heartbreaker by Mariah Carey, Wild Thing by Tone Loc

What are three of your favorite magazines to read? Entertainment Weekly, Maxim, and Enquirer.

What’s the last three musical Album/CD/Tape you bought? Robbie Williams: The Ego has Landed, Maxwell: Embryo, Pet Shop Boys: Night Life.

Three Artist’s whose work you enjoy or recognize: The Pet Shop Boys, Brad Pitt, Markee Mark

Three of your favorite food preferences: Korean, Indian, Italian

Three of your favorite authors: Patti Kim, Stephen McCauley, Helen Lee

What was it like growing up of Asian descent? Hard. Getting teased by white trash is not a good thing.

Do you have any Role Models / Influences (who and why)? Oprah Winfrey. She has compassion and she faced a lot of obstacles, but kept pursuing her dreams.

Does your race signify an essential part of your self-image? Why or Why not? Yes. Of course it does. I grew up thinking I was ugly. I never saw any Asians on TV or in the magazines. You have to be blonde and blue eyed to be pretty.

Do you have a healthy lifestyle? I don't get enough sleep, and I'm so busy at times I don't have time to exercise. I'm somewhat healthy.

How would you know if you were headed toward burning out? If I can't think straight or if I'm falling asleep or pass out or see spots.

What do you do to relax? I like to sit in my bed and watch TV.

Do you argue constructively? DEFINITELY.

From what perspective do you usually find yourself forming a take on the world? As a person on the outside.

Or, how do you normally categorize yourself in society? (ex. As a man, as a woman, as an Asian, as a minority, as a majority) I categorize myself as an Asian American woman.

Your strengths (physically / mentally): My brains and my compassion.

Your weaknesses (physically / mentally): I don't like confrontations, so I end up getting the short end of the stick.

Intelligence: How ‘life-smart’ do you consider yourself to be, and why? (life-smart: living with certain values and concepts) I consider myself to be very smart. I do things for myself, I do not latch on to others for things that I need, I am independent. I find that so many Asian American women are needy and have low self esteem.

How do you react to stress? Coping strategies? I don't like it, I end up getting it all boiled up inside of me and eventually I let go of it. I cope by discussing things with my friends and trying to come up with logical ways of dealing with it.

Do you stand up more for your opinions or what you believe to be fact? DEFINITELY!!

What do you do to get your message across? I tell them why and the reasons / facts behind it.

How would you describe yourself? Honest, witty, and a thinker.

What forces control your life? My period.

Do you believe in yourself? Yes

Do you have any phobias? My flabs scare me.

When I see a woman, the first thing I notice is: DANG SHE'S SKINNY

When I see a man, the first thing I notice is: His hair

If I were a tree, I’d be a: Bonsai

You find a genie, your three wishes are (no wishing for more wishes): I want my family and I to not suffer from any health problems. To be the head of a movie studio, make the three people who have done injustice to me suffer by being run over by a car, getting their fingers sliced off... something to that effect.

Star Wars Character I most identify with: C-3PO

What are some Favorite line(s) from TV shows: Talk to the hand the face ain't listening. What you talkin bout Willis. Hey, Hey, Hey.

What songs would you most likely caught singing alone to? Mariah Carey's I Still Believe

What was the last movie you enjoyed watching? Twin Falls Idaho

Favorite Drink: Water

Favorite Colors: Pastel Blue

I’d like my epitaph to read: A leader who opened doors for future artists.

Pets? I’m a dog/cat/fish/bird person: I don't like animals. I would not have one. I don't believe in owning and controlling them.

Idiosyncrasies / Habits? Being nice to people and having it backfire on em.

Relationship status – Single / Married / Taken: I am single. I have never had a boyfriend.

Looking? Yes, I would like to have one, but I am not looking for one. I figure one day the right man will come along, and he will pursue me. I'm tired of doing everything.

Do you do all the design, artwork, and content on your site? What made you decide to put up a website? Yes I do all the design, artwork, and content on my site. I don't know any HTML, I just got a program and started fiddling with it, and being that I'm Asian, using a computer is second nature. LOL. I decided to make one because I realized I have to be my own promoter, and the web is the way to go. I also knew I could reach people all over the world.

Did you originally envision yourself being a performer, or is there a story or main reason behind your becoming a comedienne / actress? How did you start out as an news reporter? I've always wanted to be a performer. I love the stage, public speaker, acting, etc. But being an Asian woman I realized there aren't any opportunities and I pursued journalism, cause that's the only time you see Asian women on TV, unless I tried to be an extra on MASH, but unfortunately the show is cancelled. I love to laugh and after seeing Margaret Cho, I was inspired, but I was hesitant to pursue it, so I kept pursuing my journalism career. I graduated from The University of Washington and have a Broadcast Journalism degree. I interned at a small station in Yakima Washington, then eventually went to Missoula Mt, where I was the anchor, cameraman, reporter, news car driver, etc. Then I said I can't take it no more. I need to move to NY and do something creative where I can use all of my real talents!!!

How did your family/friends react to your decision to become a comic? Well my friends were psyched!! They really are supportive and think I'm a natural. As far as my parents are concerned, they think it's just a phase I'm going through. They want me to have a 9-5 job and have health insurance.

Do you support yourself as a comic/actress, or do you have a 'survival' job on the side? I make money through stand up and acting, but I also freelance during the days when I don't have a shoot or something, doing computer work like Excel spreadsheets and graphs for companies in New York.

How long have you been a performer? What brought you to New York to perform (as opposed to LA, or Vegas)? For almost three years now, I have been doing stand up comedy, and in the last year I have been taking acting classes and now I'm working with agents and going out on auditions for national commercials and TV shows. I've always heard about NY and knew that if I moved to NY, I would find myself. I didn't move to NY thinking I would become a comic, it just happened. I just knew NY would inspire me to pursue what I've always wanted to do in my heart.

Do you associate your work with other known female comics or Has your act been 'influenced' by other comics? I do not associate my work with other female comics and I'm influenced by other comics in the way that when I see bad ones, I know not to do what they're doing.

What is your opinion of Margret Cho? I think she's a ground breaker and I give her kudos for doing her thing. She's a real inspiration for a lot of Asian Americans. This is a tough business.

What do you base most of your routine on? Personal experience, family stories, ethnic material? Can you describe your first time doing stand-up? Most of my stand up comes from my personal life, never having a boyfriend, my karaoke loving parents and my perception of things on TV and stuff. I tend to be on the sarcastic know it all side. I do some ethnic humor related to me. The first time I did stand up, I couldn't see anything. My heart was pounding so fast, and my hands were shaking and all I saw was the lights and I couldn't remember any of my jokes, I just sort of stood there and I don't even remember what I said. I was probably only on stage for three minutes, but it felt like an eternity. But after the first time, it gets better.

Do you feel it is more difficult as an (Asian) female in the industry? What advice would you give to "up-and-coming" performers? Yes I do feel it's more difficult being an Asian female in this industry. People aren't that comfortable around Asian Americans and there isn't that many opportunities, so you have to work extra harder to make the opportunities. It's not like TV is, writing shows with Asian characters in it. That's why I have to write it myself. You have to do more when you are an Asian American performer.

Is there a growing network of Asian artists that you associate with? Unfortunately I don't work with any Asian artists. I would love to work with other Asian American artists, but I find that from the ones I've met, they like to stay in their Asian clique and not expand from it. I'm always happy to meet other Asian performers and writers. I especially like performing at the Asian American organizations at universities.

What's next in your career path? Lots of television work. You might be seeing me on TV sooner than you think!! My goal is to have my own talk show.