Are comedians really just depressed people hiding behind humour? I sat down with Malaysian comedian Kuah Jenhan to talk about the real side of comedy: dealing with grief, performing days after losing his dad, and why death is actually hilarious.
This conversation went deeper than expected. We talked about his 20-year journey in Malaysian standup, how social media is changing comedy, and his show about his late father that he rewrote after almost a decade.
If you've ever wondered what comedians are really like off stage, or why the funniest people seem to carry the heaviest stories - this one's for you.
🎠ABOUT KUAH JENHAN:Kuah Jenhan is a Malaysian stand-up comedian with nearly 20 years in the scene. He's known for his narrative-driven comedy style, sharp storytelling, and his ability to make heavy topics like death genuinely entertaining. Recently grew his social media following from 5K to 18.6K in 1.5 years.
đź“Ť Catch his show "Like This, Like Dad":
🎟️ Get tickets: http://kuahjenhan.com/tickets📱 Follow Jenhan: https://www.instagram.com/kuahjenhan/
đź“Ś TIMESTAMPS:
0:00 - intro
1:00 - meet Kuah Jenhan: 20 years in Malaysian comedy
4:10 - social media changed comedy forever (crowd work era)
6:38 - “That Show” with Ming Yue
9:20 - are comedians actually depressed?
11:11 - comedians and mental health: breaking the stereotype
13:10 - writing a show about his late father (15 years later)
15:40 - rewriting "Like This, Like Dad" after a 9-year gap
20:07 - why death is actually funny (mourners and crematoriums)
22:36 - Wendy thought she'd die in her 20s (living with no plan)
25:06 - what "Like This, Like Dad" is really about
25:57 - how has death and grieving changed Jenhan’s view about life
29:41 - Jenhan’s thought process in crafting "Like This, Like Dad"
31:38 - performing days after his dad passed away
33:33 - comedy as a form of art
35:01 - the struggle with social media as a comedian
36:34 - going from 5K to 18.6K followers in 1.5 years
40:20 - social media as a new art form to master
46:28 - personality on stage and off stage
47:45 - upcoming shows: Penang, KL, London
49:23 - final message: go watch live comedy shows in Malaysia
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