A poster shows comedian Brian Aylward on Asian tour. He is giving performances in several cities in Korea

By John Redmond

Newfoundland native, Brian Aylward is returning to Korea to share his comedic insights in a series of shows across the nation as part of an Asian tour that took in India, Singapore, Cambodia, Malaysia and Indonesia.

The Korean leg of the swing kicked off in Bundang on June 26 and will visit the cities of Daegu, Busan, Sinchon and Gumi before closing in Itaewon, Seoul on July 7.

The former EFL teacher first arrived in Korea in December of 2003 and took to stand-up comedy following a bet with his then girlfriend, now wife, after she quit smoking.

“I began comedy (based on a bet) in Anyang, South Korea on Nov. 11, 2005. Since leaving Korea I have been telling jokes steadily all over Canada and eating lots of ham,” Alyward told The Korea Times in an email interview.

In Korea, Aylward was a regular contributing writer to The Groove magazine. Some of his comedy pieces have been heard on TBS eFM radio. He was also runner-up in the 2008 Hong Kong International Comedy Festival.

He explained his desire to get back to Asia, especially Korea.

“This tour was inspired by my lack of ability to do anything else. I am truly excited to hit those South Korean streets again. See old faces and lots of new ones. I miss the people I met in Korea the most. So many incredible people, too many to mention,” he continued.

Aylward is also credited with creating the stand-up comedy group S.U.C.K (Stand-up Comedians Korea) and Seoul's first English-speaking comedy room at Rocky Mountain Tavern in Itaewon.

Aside from regular gigging in Canada, he has appeared on “Halifax’s Funniest,” was Newfoundland Winner for 2011 Yuk Yuk’s “Great Canadian Laugh Off” and appeared on CBC Radio’s “Laugh Out Loud” as well as featuring on CBC television.

When questioned about his inspiration, the comedian turned to humanity.

“People inspire me. We are a bunch of big dummies, living in an intelligent world. Fun times.”

Aylward will play the Traveler’s Bar in Daegu on June 28 and Sharky’s on June 29 followed by HQ June 30, both in Busan. The tour will continue at Yaletown on July 1 in Sinchon, the Waegook Cook in Gumi on July 6 before winding up at Rocky Mountain Tavern in Itaewon, Seoul on July 7.

Shows star at 10 p.m. and entrance is 10,000 won.