- Dec 18, 2025
- 6 min read
Updated: Dec 24, 2025
From Contributing Writer and Friend of Serica, Emily Nevins
The title of “creator” has carried a significant weight of responsibility and an element of reverence throughout history. The very meaning is a reminder that without this person, without their drive, the world would be lacking another form of much needed joy.
So, when we got the chance to connect with Asian AF: The Hit Asian American comedy variety show creator, Will Choi, it was a privilege to speak with someone who has not only created a very much needed form of joy, but who’s call to community would lead to more shows that amplified AAPI representation and the expansion of comedy to underrepresented communities.
Will Choi is a talented voice-actor, comedian and improvisor based in Los Angeles. Will is known for lending his talents for many notable shows like BoJack Horseman (Netflix), Bob's Burgers (FOX), Central Park (Apple TV+), and video games such as Fallout 76 (Bethesda), Battlefield Hardline (EA Games), and Clash Royale (Supercell).
A quick backstory for new readers: back in 2016, Will Choi and his comedy team created “Scarlett Johansson Presents...”, a comedy show poking fun at the casting of white actors to represent AAPI in film roles, like the casting of Emma Stone as lead in Aloha. From it’s success came Asian AF, the comedy variety show showcasing AAPI talent in stand-up, improv, clowning, magic, puppetry and beyond.
Being on the receiving end of the continual whitewashing of AAPI roles in Hollywood, Choi summarizes this moment through self-reflection as “Wait…we [AAPI actors and performers] don’t like that.”
He also did not fail to notice many more angry responses to this dilemma on social media. For Choi, he describes this moment of collective anger as an opportunity to make fun of these casting decisions. Choi saw the absurdity that is underrepresentation of Asian American actors and decided to do something about it.
This is where Will decided to poke fun at this situation by creating “Scarlet Johansson Presents…” and premiere it at the Upright Citizen’s Brigade Theater in Los Angeles. These shows would be scheduled to correspond with the premiere of films that were perpetuating whitewashing of AAPI roles (Ghost in the Shell, The Great Wall, Dr. Strange, Aloha).
These premieres just happened to be within two-month increments of one another. When asked if he was nervous during this time, Choi describes only feeling any sort of nervousness around how the show would be received by the audience. Understandably so, since after all, they were performing these shows near Hollywood and in New York, where these premieres were taking place. All that nervousness went away when each show was sold out, and the support and energy started to flood in.
After these four shows and the overwhelming positive response, Choi saw the opportunity of a monthly show to be a bridge to unite his comedy community and his Asian American communities. From his own experience, Will noticed that there weren’t many avenues connecting these two and noted that it was important to him to have them come together. From there, Asian AF: The Hit Asian American Comedy Variety Show was born and, as Will describes it, a new gateway drug for comedy was created for AAPI audiences.
Will remarks that a lot of his excitement was not only from the audience response but how he felt that he was in a flow state developing this show. For Will, he believes that community is synonymous with support. From coordinating each show’s ticket links to creative collaboration with his fellow comedians, the immense amount of hard work was met with all around enthusiasm.
During this period, Choi recalls setting a personal goal for himself; this new monthly show showcasing AAPI talent would last for at least 3 years.
He was not expecting the response to proceed with the show continuing past then, and now in its 9th year, Asian AF: The Hit Asian American Comedy Variety Show has developed into other branches of show; ASIAN AF LOS ANGELES (produced by Keiko Agena, Lilan Bowden, Will Choi, Sarah Claspell, & Allyn Pinta) ASIAN AF NEW YORK (produced by Nicole Asava, Ryan Chittaphong, Fu Goto, & Angel Yau) FILIPINO AF (produced by Amalia Aquino, Allyn Pintal, & Joy Regullano) GAYSIAN AF (produced by Jiavani & Chris Renfro) DRAGONS AF (produced by Jed Alcantara, Cassi Jerkins, & Chuck Maa) VOLTRON AND FRIENDS (produced by Keiko Agena, Lilan Bowden, Will Choi, Sarah Claspell, & Allyn Pintal) POLYNESIAN AF (produced by Anette Arinix) and HAWAII AF (produced by Kimee Balmilero).
A new test of adaptability was on the horizon for Will as the world locked down due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. As theaters closed and public social distancing measures were put in place, the pandemic required Will and his team to pivot quickly to online performances. This proved to be a significant change and required other producers to step up and adapt to the new online format.
Will describes these challenges highlighted the importance of collective effort, and ongoing community engagement as he delegated producer duties to others in his comedy community.
When asked to name his top three moments in Asian AF’s history, Will recalled how stand-up comedian, Margaret Cho, opted in early on during Asian AF’s beginning. Will describes this moment granted the show a new level of attention since it was their first big name to have on stage.
The second would be when Will hosted the Crazy Rich Asian Stand-Up Show which featured cast members of hit movie Crazy Rich Asians: Nico Santos, Jimmy O. Yang, Ronny Chieng, and Ken Jeong. They performed stand-up one-night only where Choi worked in tandem with Warner Brothers. The night was extremely special as it was open to the public and other cast members of Crazy Rich Asians were in attendance, including Awkwafina, Gemma Chan, Sonoya Mizuno, Chris Pang, director Jon M. Chu, author Kevin Kwan, and producers Brad Simpson and Nina Jacobson.
His last favorite moments were as Choi described the New York and Los Angeles opening nights of “Scarlett Johanson presents…”. Will remarked how those two shows were very special. Each show had a level of electricity since it was the first time for both the performers and audiences to experience a show of this nature.
As the creator of these shows and looking back on their legacy, Will hopes to positively impact audiences in two ways; first, for all Asian Americans to see themselves on stage and to be represented in a genre that can give them freedom to express themselves. Second, for anyone who wants to create a show to be bold and not wait for anyone to give them permission. If Will waited to be given permission to put on “Scarlett Johansson Presents...”, there wouldn’t be Asian AF.
With its ten-year anniversary approaching next year, Asian AF has become a living testament to being the change you wish to see in the world. Not by changing yourself to conform with a society standard, but to be so “AF” yourself you can’t be ignored. Thank you, Will. Thank you, Asian AF. We look forward to witnessing your decade celebration! Cheers to 10 more years!
As a follow up from our previously mentioned article, I had the privilege to go see Asian AF NY’s 9-year anniversary show. As expected, the audience was left in stitches from the whiplash hilarity of stand-up comedian Mehesh Kotagi, Kento Morita’s hilarious and heart wrenching clowning performance and Asian AF: The Hit Asian American Comedy Variety Show NY’s Improv troupe! After the show, I got to catch up with the producers to get their post-show thoughts.
Angel Yau told us that her favorite part of the show was engaging with the audience, particularly during a segment involving fortune cookies. Angel is referring to a moment in the show where the Improv Team handed out a fortune cookie to an audience member. They then opened it, read the fortune cookie message and then gave the Improv Troupe a story from their life that the message reminded them of. The biggest surprise for Angel was discovering they had fun despite the hard work and preparation involved.
Ryan Chittaphong commented on being happily surprised that the cold New York City weather did not keep audiences away. To commemorate Asian AF final show for 2025, Ryan performed a cover of Wicked’s “For Good” by replacing the lyrics with improv jargon. As Ryan sang, with his castmate’s support behind him swaying on tempo, it was a true highlight of the show to gift the audience with a sweet send-off to hold them over till next year.
Nicole Asava was very excited about this show and for her pre-show dinner she had Dan Dan noodles and spicy cucumber salad. One of her favorite moments of the night was improvising a scene through physical comedy as an otherworldly twin who only existed through wiggling their body. She also enjoyed watching Kento the Clown's emotional tribute to his grandmother's fifth anniversary, blending heart and comedy effectively.
