Trump Makes BBLs More Pricey, Crushes on a Reporter & Shields His Belly From Iran | Youngmi Mayer

Summary

Summary of The Daily Show: Ears Edition

Episode: Trump Makes BBLs More Pricey, Crushes on a Reporter & Shields His Belly From Iran | Youngmi Mayer
Release Date: July 11, 2025
Host: Ronny Chieng
Guest: Youngmi Mayer

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1. Trump's Escalation of Tariffs on Brazil

The episode opens with host Ronny Chieng delving into President Donald Trump's latest move in his ongoing trade war. Trump has announced a 50% tariff on Brazilian imports effective August 1st, targeting a wide range of Brazilian goods from coffee to Brazilian butt lifts (BBLs).

Ronny Chieng [02:30]: "But now he's just using it to help Brazilian Trump stay out of prison."

Chieng criticizes Trump for leveraging tariffs as a geopolitical tool, specifically to support former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, who is facing charges for an alleged coup attempt to overturn his 2022 election loss.

Ronny Chieng [03:10]: "If you have a disagreement with a South American government, you don't impose tariffs. You do things the American way and have the CIA overthrow them."

The host humorously highlights the absurdity of targeting everyday Brazilian products, imagining a future where Americans might sport exaggerated BBLs due to the tariffs.

Ronny Chieng [04:00]: "With 50% tariffs, there's gonna be a lot of people in America walking around with just one giant ass cheat."

2. Trump's Mismanagement of Ukraine Munitions

Transitioning to foreign affairs, Chieng addresses Trump's questionable handling of military support to Ukraine. He references an interview where Trump admits not knowing who ordered the halt of munitions to Ukraine, suggesting a lack of oversight within his administration.

Ronny Chieng [04:25]: "Listening to Trump speak feels like you're doing a magic eye for your ears."

Chieng uses this admission to underscore concerns about Trump's grasp on international conflicts and decision-making processes.

3. Iran's Threats and Trump's Response

The discussion shifts to escalating tensions with Iran, where a senior advisor has reportedly threatened to assassinate Trump by targeting his exposed belly with a drone.

Carvana Customer [06:17]: "Trump has done something that he can no longer sunbathe in Mar a Lago. As he lies there with his stomach to the sun, a small drone might [hit] him in the navel."

Chieng mocks the absurdity of the threat, questioning the seriousness and execution of such an attack.

Ronny Chieng [07:05]: "Are they threatening to assassinate him or poke him like he's the Pillsbury Doughboy?"

He also points out the irony of Trump using a spray tan instead of actual sunbathing, adding another layer of humor to the situation.

Ronny Chieng [07:20]: "Donald Trump uses spray tan. He's not in the sun."

4. Trump's Awkward Encounter with African Leaders

Chieng critiques Trump's recent meeting with African leaders, highlighting his inappropriate compliments and lack of cultural awareness. Specifically, Trump praised the President of Liberia for his "good English," which Chieng finds both redundant and offensive.

Ronny Chieng [09:16]: "At the White House... Donald Trump praised the president of Liberia for his, quote, good English, even though English is the official language of Liberia."

Chieng humorously portrays Trump's interaction with an African reporter, suggesting that Trump's admiration borders on obsession.

Ronny Chieng [10:38]: "Look at that smile. Someone's got a little crush."

5. Interview with Youngmi Mayer on Her Memoir

The episode features an in-depth interview with Youngmi Mayer, a writer and comedian, discussing her memoir titled "I'm Laughing Because I'm Crying." Mayer shares insights into her traumatic upbringing, struggles with substance abuse, and the therapeutic role of comedy in her healing process.

Youngmi Mayer [12:35]: "So comparatively, I would say that this one was one of his best performances."

Chieng and Mayer explore themes of cultural identity, trauma, and the power of humor to navigate personal hardships. Mayer explains how her Korean heritage and family dynamics influenced her writing style, blending humor with poignant reflections.

Youngmi Mayer [35:54]: "I think my brain does that automatically, like when it gets too sad."

Chieng commends Mayer for her ability to intertwine laughter with sorrow, emphasizing the universal nature of using comedy as a coping mechanism.

Ronny Chieng [36:42]: "And I gotta say, I definitely think you succeeded in that."

6. The Unusual Gig Economy: Becoming a Human Carpet

In a lighter segment, reporter Troy Wada explores the niche job of being a "human carpet," a performance art role where individuals lie on carpets at events, allowing others to walk, pose, and dance on them. The segment features an interview with Giorgio, a dedicated human carpet performer.

Giorgio [17:11]: "I would describe what I'm providing as a performance art on the naughty side for people to stand, pose, walk, and dance on me as they please."

Chieng humorously highlights the physical and emotional toll of this unique occupation, questioning its sustainability and impact on personal relationships.

Ronny Chieng [20:40]: "I quickly realized that I didn't have the patience or tolerance for internal bleeding required to be a human carpet."

Despite the challenges, Giorgio expresses continued passion for his work, illustrating the diverse and sometimes bizarre jobs that populate the gig economy.

Giorgio [21:40]: "Absolutely. I still enjoy it. Yeah."

---

Conclusion

This episode of The Daily Show: Ears Edition offers a blend of sharp political satire, insightful interviews, and quirky human interest stories. Ronny Chieng effectively uses humor to dissect complex international issues, while Youngmi Mayer provides a heartfelt exploration of personal trauma and resilience through comedy. The unique segment on human carpeting adds a memorable and unconventional twist, showcasing the show's commitment to covering a wide array of topics with wit and depth.

Notable Quotes:

• Ronny Chieng [07:05]: "Are they threatening to assassinate him or poke him like he's the Pillsbury Doughboy?"
• Youngmi Mayer [35:54]: "I think my brain does that automatically, like when it gets too sad."

---

For more episodes, listen to The Daily Show: Ears Edition on Paramount+ or watch it weeknights on Comedy Central at 11/10c.

Transcript

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[Ronny Chieng]

You're listening to Comedy Central from the most trusted journalists at Comedy Central. It's America's only source for news. This is the Daily show with your host, Ronnie T. I'm Roy Chan. We got so much to talk about. Tonight, Trump gets tanning advice from Iran. He will not be getting that Brazilian wax. And he learned that African is not a language. So let's get into Trump's foreign affairs. In our ongoing segment, Donald Trump engages in respectful international diplomacy.

[Josh Johnson]

We should go to war with them.

[Ronny Chieng]

Let's kick things off with Trump's favorite way to ruin everyone's day, terrorists. Up until now, Trump has justified the terrorists by saying it's to balance trade or protect national security or some other stuff he absolutely doesn't understand. But now he's just using it to help Brazilian Trump stay out of prison. A major escalation in President Trump's global trade war with the president Releasing a letter announcing a 50% tariff on imports from Brazil starting August 1st. Mr. Trump specifically pointing to the ongoing process of one of his longtime allies, Brazil's former president Jair Bolsonaro. A show of support for the far right politician facing charges for an alleged coup to overturn his 2022 election loss. The President calling Bolsonaro's trial before the Brazilian Supreme Court, quote, a witch hunt that should end immediately. Yo, what the is this? So Brazilian Trump gets arrested for trying to do Brazilian Gen 6, and now I have to pay more for coffee? That is not how it works, Mr. President. If you have a disagreement with a South American government, you don't impose tariffs. You do things the American way and have the CIA overthrow them. And it's not just Brazilian coffee we're gonna pay tariffs on. There's Brazilian orange juice, nuts, jujitsu moves. And don't forget Brazilian butt lifts with. That's right, with 50% tariffs, there's gonna be a lot of people in America walking around with just one giant ass cheat. You know what? I think I prefer this. And Americans might be wondering why Bolsonaro is in trouble in the first place. But let me explain. You see, in other countries, they actually arrest leaders who try to coup. I know, I know. It's a different system. It's like how the rest of the world has a metric system and America has feet and pounds, or however the you measure how much beef you're shoving into your fat faces. But let's move on to Russia's war in Ukraine, because if you remember, one of the accusations Trump has leveled against Joe Biden is that he had no idea what was going on in his own administration. And I mean, yeah, probably, yes, but now people are starting to wonder if Donald Trump doesn't know what's going on in his.

[Finance Expert]

Yesterday, you said that you were not.

[Ronny Chieng]

Sure who ordered the munitions halted to Ukraine.

[Finance Expert]

Have you since been able to figure that out?

[Josh Johnson]

Well, I haven't thought about it because we're looking at Ukraine right now and munitions. But I have. No. I have not gone into it.

[Ronny Chieng]

What does it say that such a big decision could be made inside your government without you knowing?

[Josh Johnson]

I would know. If a decision was made, I will know. I'll be the first to know. In fact, most likely, I'd give the order, but I have. I haven't done that yet.

[Ronny Chieng]

Okay, so you don't know. You don't know who did it, but you would be the first to know. And it was probably you, but it wasn't you. Thanks. For clearing that up. Listening to Trump speak feels like you're doing a magic eye for your ears. It's like, if I listen hard enough, I'll see a dolphin. But let's move on from the war Trump is trying to stop to the one he's trying to start, the one with Iran. They've been real pissy at Trump just because he dropped the world's biggest bomb on them. Okay? Get over it. That was, like, two weeks ago. And now some Iranians are suggesting that they could strike back in a very specific way.

[Carvana Customer]

A senior advisor to Iran's supreme leader now issuing assassination threats against President Trump, reportedly telling local media, quote, trump has done something that he can no longer sunbathe in Mar a Lago. As he lies there with his stomach to the sun, a small drone might.

[Friend]

Hit him in the navel.

[Carvana Customer]

It's very simple.

[Ronny Chieng]

Let me be clear. This isn't just an attack on Trump. It's an attack on all of America. Because now we all have to picture him with his bare belly glistening in the sun.

[Josh Johnson]

Okay.

[Ronny Chieng]

No, no, no, no, no. I'm just. I'm not. I'm just kidding. You don't. You don't have to picture it. I'll show you. It's beautiful. I think I prefer this. Is this really a threat, though? What, you're gonna hit his navel with a small drone? Like, Iran went from building a nuclear bomb to we're gonna turn his Audi into an innie. Are they threatening to assassinate him or poke him like he's the Pillsbury Doughboy? Ew. Also, Iran. Are you the only people in the world that can'? Donald Trump uses spray tan. He's not in the sun. Okay. Are you looking at pictures of him? Like, damn, this guy must have spent all week at the beach. But still, a threat is a threat, and President Trump had a very strong response. Do you think that's a real threat? And when is the last time you went sunbathing anyway?

[Josh Johnson]

I've been a long time. It's been a long time. I don't know. Maybe I was around 7 or so.

[Ronny Chieng]

Wow. I didn't think a threat like that would unlock his core childhood memories. Maybe keep asking him about this stuff, like he might have an emotional breakthrough, like, yeah, last time my son bathed was when I was 7, and my mom said she didn't love me and I forgive her. Oh. Oh, my God. I'm healed. Let the immigrants stay. And finally, yesterday, Trump hosted African leaders at the White House. Trump pressed them on important issues like migrant deportations and how Scar was actually the good guy. And you're never gonna believe what happened when Trump got in a room with a bunch of African presidents. He made it awkward.

[Carvana Customer]

At the White House on Wednesday, Donald Trump praised the president of Liberia for his, quote, good English, even though English is the official language of Liberia.

[Josh Johnson]

We just want to thank you so much for this opportunity. Well, thank you. And such good English. Such beautiful. Where did you learn to speak so beautifully? Were you educated?

[Friend]

Where?

[Josh Johnson]

In Liberia? Yes, sir. Well, that's very interesting.

[Ronny Chieng]

Trump was totally blown away by this guy speaking his national language. Where? Where'd you learn to speak English? What? Liberia. Oh, oh, oh. We call them libraries. To be fair to Trump, the last African he was friends with was totally incomprehensible. And now. And now he's like, is this what Africans sound like when they're not on ketamine? Now, Trump may not have Googled the president of Liberia before the meeting, but there was one African reporter who he definitely knew.

[Josh Johnson]

Do you want to ask any questions, please? Where is my reporter from Africa? There you are. How are you?

[Friend]

I'm fine, thank you, Mr. President.

[Josh Johnson]

He's very famous in Africa.

[Friend]

Thank you.

[Ronny Chieng]

Look at that smile. Someone's got a little crush. And by the way, this wasn't the first time he met her. He's been trying to get close to her since last week. Why didn't you come up here and.

[Josh Johnson]

Talk so they can see?

[Friend]

Sure.

[Josh Johnson]

That'D be great. Thank you very much.

[Ronny Chieng]

Thank you, Mr. President.

[Josh Johnson]

It's a great honor.

[Finance Expert]

Thank you, Mr. President.

[Carvana Customer]

He told me, President Chisekerre, his very.

[Ronny Chieng]

Thankful for what you're doing, for what your administration doing.

[Josh Johnson]

It's so nice. Boy, and that's so beautifully stated. And Caroline said, number one, she did say. And I shouldn't say this because it's politically incorrect, she said, she's beautiful, and you are beautiful. I'm not allowed to say that. You know, that could be the end of my political career. But I said it anyway.

[Ronny Chieng]

Well, well, well. It appears Trump's war on the press is softening. Well, hardening. Trump loves this African reporter so much. He's like, should we maybe not have canceled all their food for their kids? I mean, I didn't know they were gonna grow up to be this hot resume aid. Now, obviously, you don't have to be black to see how deeply offensive Trump's behavior here is to black people. But just to be safe, let's talk to a black person to make sure. Let's go to the White House with Our own Josh. John. Josh. Josh, what's your take on Trump's meeting with these African leaders?

[Young Mi Mayer]

Ronny, this was a meeting between Trump and a table full of Africans. This went as good as it could have gone. Trump didn't ask to touch anyone's hair. He didn't try and hit anyone with a. I was. I was pretty sure he was gonna say the phrase National Geographic. So compared to expectations, I would say that this one was one of his best performances.

[Ronny Chieng]

Okay, no, no, come on. He's the president. He told the leader of an English speaking country he speaks great English.

[Young Mi Mayer]

And he's right, he does speak English. Well, for once, he's not lying. Like, it's not like he told RFK Jr. He speaks beautiful English. Like that would be offensive. All right, it was a compliment. I compliment people's ability to speak English all the time. You ever go to Florida and hear a complete sentence? That shit is impressive.

[Ronny Chieng]

Look, I don't know, man. I'm just saying, if that was me, I would have walked out. Yeah, that.

[Young Mi Mayer]

That's cause you're Asian.

[Ronny Chieng]

What? What? What? You're saying Asians get offended easily? I'll kill you.

[Young Mi Mayer]

Chill, chill, chill. I'm just saying black people who've been through too much to get offended easily. Like black people. We keep our cool. You know, we were brought here for slavery and then invented jazz. The Liberian president knew that getting angry at Trump doesn't get. But flattery does. If he was really smart, he would have said, oh, I learned English from watching your speeches, Mr. Trump. You're a real one. I call it Tesla too.

[Ronny Chieng]

Okay, okay, fine. Point taken. But what about that reporter, though? That was kind of gross.

[Young Mi Mayer]

Was it sexist? Yes. Did Trump act inappropriately? Yes. Did he come in his pants?

[Friend]

Of course.

[Young Mi Mayer]

All right, no one's saying it wasn't a huge load, all right? But on the other hand, Trump, for the very first time, is excited about Africa. Just look at Trump and that reporter. Tell me that doesn't look like a Bob Hart's Abishola reboot. All right, there's an old African saying, if you wanna go fast, go alone. If you wanna go far, don't think too hard about what that white guy just said.

[Ronny Chieng]

You know what, Josh? You make some valid points. That's very articulate. Whoa, whoa.

[Young Mi Mayer]

Articulate? What in the name of National Geographic titties are you trying to say?

[Ronny Chieng]

Nah, you do get offended, I'll kill you. All right, Josh Johnson, everyone. Hey, when we come back, we find out the worst job of all time. Don't go away. Rated T for teen.

[Young Mi Mayer]

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[Ronny Chieng]

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[Young Mi Mayer]

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[Young Mi Mayer]

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An end to shred loss everywhere. Hit the new Tony hawk's Pro Skater 3 and 4 and show the world that the shred's not dead. Pre order Tony hawk's Pro Skater 3 and 4 and play the Foundry demo.

[Carvana Customer]

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[Ronny Chieng]

Welcome back to the Daily Show. Sometimes it seems like there's no jobs left anymore. But maybe you're just not looking in all the weirdest places. Troy Wada has more jobs.

[Finance Expert]

They're the foundation of the American economy. But today, more and more workers are being crushed by outsourcing, AI, automation, and whatever the f this is. So now some gig workers are turning to even more niche parts of the service industry. I went to meet one of them.

[Ronny Chieng]

Hello.

[Giorgio]

Hello, Chris.

[Ronny Chieng]

Hello. Hi.

[Finance Expert]

Giorgio makes his freelance income as what he describes as a human carpet.

[Giorgio]

I would describe what I'm providing as a performance art on the naughty side for people to stand, pose, walk, and dance on me as they please. Make a party more exciting.

[Finance Expert]

You know, sometimes when I'm at a party and it's a little boring, I think to myself, I wish there was a man just lying there. That would really liven it up.

[Giorgio]

Yes, I do that at many events and parties.

[Finance Expert]

A human carpet. It's not what Hannibal Lechner has in his foyer, but actually involves getting wrapped in a carpet, laying on a floor, and letting People walk all over you, but without any self esteem issues.

[Giorgio]

I do a lot of birthday parties or bachelorettes parties. Those are popular. Gothic and vampire parties. Yes. I've been honored to be the platform actually for at least two weddings. Yeah.

[Finance Expert]

Would you do a bar mitzvah?

[Giorgio]

Sure.

[Finance Expert]

Would you do a baby shower?

[Giorgio]

Sure.

[Finance Expert]

A quinceanera?

[Giorgio]

Yep. Sure.

[Finance Expert]

Would you do awake?

[Giorgio]

Uh, no.

[Finance Expert]

We found a boundary.

[Giorgio]

Yeah, out of respect for departed ones.

[Finance Expert]

Do you have a black carpet just in case?

[Giorgio]

I do.

[Finance Expert]

And if you thought stepping on someone inside a carpet might also be some kind of sex thing, well, you're right.

[Giorgio]

I've been in kink parties and I've had people have sex on me for.

[Finance Expert]

Some reason that doesn't surprise me at all.

[Giorgio]

I've been a mattress for them.

[Finance Expert]

You must be an expert on getting stains out of a carpet.

[Giorgio]

I have many types of stain removers that I use. Of course, after a while it gets hopeless and I have to get a new carpet.

[Finance Expert]

But the cost of carpet cleaning and replacement is just one of the factors that affect Giorgio's narrow margins. May I ask what your fee is for your services?

[Giorgio]

I would probably ask around 250 plus tips.

[Finance Expert]

Talk about passive income.

[Giorgio]

I've done marathon events for seven or eight hours.

[Ronny Chieng]

Wow.

[Giorgio]

It gets to you sometimes. But still, if the crowd is into it, that's what matters.

[Finance Expert]

The joy of having a human carpet at your event. That's pretty priceless.

[Giorgio]

It is.

[Finance Expert]

But as with most creative work, money is only part of the reward, as Giorgio has often found himself only a foot away from stardom.

[Giorgio]

The peak of my career, I would say, was a retirement party where Randy Jones and the Village People performed on me.

[Ronny Chieng]

No way.

[Giorgio]

Yeah.

[Finance Expert]

Did they do the YMCA on you?

[Giorgio]

Absolutely.

[Finance Expert]

So all of the Village People were standing on top of you?

[Giorgio]

No, no, just Randy Jones. And he did not have all the Village People.

[Ronny Chieng]

Oh, all right.

[Finance Expert]

Well, that's not as.

[Giorgio]

Not everyone.

[Finance Expert]

Finally, it was time for me to experience Giorgio's unique occupation from the inside of a carpet. Should I be doing anything?

[Giorgio]

No, not really. Just. You're doing great.

[Finance Expert]

I guess I'm ready to give this a go.

[Josh Johnson]

Son.

[Ronny Chieng]

Oh, my God.

[Giorgio]

Stay calm. Relax. It'll be okay.

[Finance Expert]

I feel gas going down.

[Giorgio]

Take a little break and get into the mental state of it.

[Finance Expert]

Get into the mental state of it.

[Giorgio]

Well, you know, concentrate. Like, try to enjoy the adventure. You're okay.

[Ronny Chieng]

All right.

[Josh Johnson]

Get off. Get off.

[Finance Expert]

I quickly realized that I didn't have the patience or tolerance for internal bleeding required to be a human carpet. And beyond that the liver and kidneys aren't the only organs affected by this job. It also takes a toll on the heart.

[Giorgio]

The human carpet gig has always gotten in the way of personal relationships. Even the more we progressed, the harder it became for them to accommodate it.

[Finance Expert]

I don't know what's so difficult about it. You're just lying there for them.

[Giorgio]

It just takes so much of my time and passion.

[Finance Expert]

Can't they just sit next to you.

[Giorgio]

In a major event? No.

[Finance Expert]

Have you ever considered the possibility of inviting someone into the carpet with you?

[Giorgio]

Yes, actually, a few people have asked me for that and I gladly let them do it for a bit. And some of them couldn't take it anymore.

[Finance Expert]

With all the isolation, downward pressure and dust inhalation that comes with Giorgio's career, I had to wonder, is human carpeting sustainable? After almost 30 years of doing this, you still enjoy it?

[Giorgio]

Absolutely. I still enjoy it. Yeah.

[Finance Expert]

That's beautiful carpet diem.

[Ronny Chieng]

Thank you, Troy. When we come back, Young Ni Mei will be joining me on the show, so don't go away.

[Young Mi Mayer]

Hey, it's Ryan Reynolds here for Mint Mobile Now.

[Finance Expert]

I was looking for fun ways to tell you that Mint's offer of unlimited Premium Wireless for $15 a month is back.

[Young Mi Mayer]

So I thought it would be fun if we made $15 bills, but it turns out that's very illegal, so there.

[Ronny Chieng]

Goes my big idea for the commercial.

[Young Mi Mayer]

Give it a [e-mail] Switch upfront payment.

[Carvana Customer]

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[Ronny Chieng]

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[Friend]

Thoughts I've been on hold to make a doctor's appointment for 23 minutes now.

[Carvana Customer]

The automated voice has told me 47 times that my call is very important to them.

[Friend]

Hmm, I'm starting to think that they.

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Don'T think my call is important at all.

[Ronny Chieng]

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[Friend]

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[Josh Johnson]

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[Ronny Chieng]

Stream now at Pluto tv. Welcome Back to the Daily Show. My guest tonight is a writer and comedian whose memoir is called I'm Laughing Because I'm Crying. Please welcome the one and only Young Me Mayer. Yo, this is actually a great book.

[Friend]

Wait, can I talk about the DM that you sent me?

[Ronny Chieng]

Yeah, sure. What was the dm? We'll edit this if it's bad. What was it?

[Friend]

Well, first, my agent was like, do you know any celebrities can you send the book to? And I was like, I kind of know Ronny Cheng from this comedy show. So I DMed you like, hey, can I send you a free book? And you were like, no. Do you remember that?

[Ronny Chieng]

And then, I do, but did you continue the message, don't let that.

[Friend]

And then later, you were like, no, I'm just gonna buy it so I can support you. But you, like.

[Ronny Chieng]

You almost. No, you almost left that shit out.

[Friend]

No, there was, like. I feel like there was a pause. There was, like, a few minutes before you said that.

[Ronny Chieng]

I was like, no, but my standard policy is when people who are struggling ask me to buy their book. No, when people ask me to buy. When people ask me to buy their book. When friends ask me to buy their book. Sorry. When friends want to send me that book, I say, don't send it to me. I'll buy it. Cause I think that helps the algorithm actually promote it more.

[Friend]

No, that makes sense.

[Ronny Chieng]

And it's worth way more than sending it to me and then I just throw it in the garbage. I'd rather just buy it and throw it in the garbage.

[Friend]

Thank you. But I got scared for a second.

[Ronny Chieng]

Oh, okay. Well, in this case, I actually bought it, and then I read it, and it was actually great. So congratulations.

[Friend]

Thank you.

[Ronny Chieng]

No, it's a really good book. No, no, no. I know, like, the Illuminati makes. Makes me say that every single time we have a book on this show, but in this case, actually, it's super funny. I was reading it, and every page was making me laugh. But what was. Also. It's also how much tragedy is in this book. You go through a lot of shit, a lot of heavy shit. Like, there was, like. You know, there was family trauma, growing up in Korea. There was physical emotional abuse. You take meth at one point. You have no money.

[Friend]

No, I didn't.

[Ronny Chieng]

Maybe that was another book. I'm sorry. I might be crossing books. And then there was.

[Friend]

I don't even remember. I might have.

[Ronny Chieng]

And then you started. You had no money, and then you got married and you started a restaurant. Then the restaurant became super successful. And then the restaurant failed, and then you got divorced, and then now you are back. I couldn't even keep up with how much. Are you okay?

[Friend]

I. I'm fine. I still work at the restaurant.

[Ronny Chieng]

Well, give it a plug. What restaurant was it?

[Friend]

Oh, it's Mission Chinese food.

[Ronny Chieng]

Okay. Mission Chinese. Yeah. Yeah. I love that restaurant, by the way. I never knew you were part of it.

[Friend]

Yeah, I was the wife, the stay at home wife. So that's part of the story, I think.

[Ronny Chieng]

Right.

[Friend]

So, like, I.

[Ronny Chieng]

Well, go start from the start. Let's start from the start. So born in Korea.

[Friend]

Well, let's begin 100 years ago. Well, yeah, I do talk about, like the very beginning, you know, as far back as I know, which is my grandmother's story. And I know so much of my Korean history because my mom is a yapper. Like a certified yapper.

[Ronny Chieng]

What does that mean?

[Friend]

It's just, you know, yapping away. She has a lot to say.

[Ronny Chieng]

I thought it was like a Korean vocation or something.

[Friend]

It sounds like. Yeah, it does sound like the second person in a K pop band, the Yapper. But no, she's a yapper. And so she's told me, like my entire family history. And what I realized was I included it in the book, obviously, because I'm like, oh, this is why I'm so crazy, because this happened to my family and I'm mirroring them. But then I think that's why it's become kind of popular among Korean American immigrants, because. Or like children of immigrants, because they are always like, you know, I ask my parents about the old country, which is Korea, but they'll never talk about it. And. Which makes sense. Cause, you know, like, immigrants, I'm sure have a lot of trauma and like.

[Ronny Chieng]

Sure.

[Friend]

Like assimilation.

[Ronny Chieng]

Yeah. Well, I mean, one thing is that you're not just the kid, a child of immigrants, because you were born there.

[Friend]

Yeah, I'm not.

[Ronny Chieng]

So you only came to America when you were like 20, right?

[Friend]

I'm an immigrant, yeah.

[Ronny Chieng]

You're an immigrant. Yeah.

[Friend]

It's complicated. Cause I was born in Korea.

[Ronny Chieng]

Yeah.

[Friend]

But I was born already an American citizen.

[Ronny Chieng]

Right. Congratulations.

[Friend]

Yeah, thank you. Really? I thought I was lucky until, I don't know, 10 years ago.

[Ronny Chieng]

Well, this is interesting because I also grew up in. Outside of America, in a different part of Asia, Singapore. So we kind of. I think we grew up.

[Friend]

We're enemies.

[Ronny Chieng]

We're enemies. First of all, in the old world, we're enemies. In the new world, we're forced to band together to fight Tyranny but if back in Asia. Back in Asia, we each other, we.

[Friend]

Have one month to share with the Pacific Islanders.

[Ronny Chieng]

Yes.

[Friend]

Who we colonized.

[Ronny Chieng]

We know, like, we both had a view of America. Right. Growing up living outside of America, in my view. I don't know what your view of America was, but, like, it's weird. The 90s outside America, looking in, in my ignorant, non American eyes, it was like. It was like rose tinted glasses. America looks awesome. It's like Back to the Future. Michael Jordan is there, right?

[Friend]

Tlc.

[Ronny Chieng]

Yeah, tlc. Tupac. Tupac. Yeah, it looked great. And so those were the things that made me want to come to America. It wasn't the Iraq war, you know what I mean?

[Friend]

No, no.

[Ronny Chieng]

When we go, like, yeah, let's go to America, it wasn't because you want to participate in the war. It was because of all this other cultural, you know, great cultural stuff. So I don't know what you were experiencing in Korea.

[Friend]

Yeah, I guess it's like the difference being Korea is, you know, still has a heavy, like, American military presence and there's a lot of, like, pro American propaganda. So I grew up in that era and they were still very much, oh.

[Ronny Chieng]

There'S a lot of propaganda in America too, so.

[Friend]

Oh, there is. There's a lot of pro Korean propaganda, if you ask me. But then. So in Korea, there's like all this pro American propaganda. But, you know, it's like the truth is so nuanced. Right. Because South Korea was helped by America. Right. I'm not gonna get into that. But so I had a similar experience. Like, they thought very highly of America. But then I had kind of a traumatizing childhood because of the way, like, biracial people are seen in Korea, which, because I'm half white, you would think, you would think I would have white privilege. But in the 80s, they were like, you're obviously the leftover child of like a US military man, so your mom is poor or whatever. And so that became the reason I got made fun of, which is funny that I like, make fun of for being white and very different than, like, Asian Americans that grew up here. It's like the opposite experience.

[Ronny Chieng]

It's also different in Singapore because the half white, half Asian people in Singapore, they leaned more white.

[Friend]

They're just like, we're white people.

[Ronny Chieng]

Yeah, they leaned away from it mostly, you know. But you were half white, half Asian, who, like you, I guess you, I'm not sure by choice, but you lean. You lean more Korean. Like, there's parts of this book where you write in Korean, you introduce Korean culture, you can speak Korean fluently, and you know the cuisine and the culture, so you're culturally very Korean.

[Friend]

I'm culturally very Korean, even though the Koreans do not want to accept me.

[Ronny Chieng]

No, that's not true.

[Friend]

It is true.

[Ronny Chieng]

Are there Koreans here right now? Are there any Koreans here?

[Friend]

He made fun of me.

[Ronny Chieng]

There's no Koreans here.

[Friend]

No, they're scared. They're like, we don't. We're not with her.

[Ronny Chieng]

I told you, Ronnie.

[Friend]

I told you.

[Ronny Chieng]

That's not true. Look at the comment section. The comment section will be very supportive of you.

[Friend]

Yeah, I think I see the Koreans out there. They're like, we don't know her.

[Ronny Chieng]

No, no. But this book, I mean, this is a lot of trauma for a kid to take.

[Friend]

I don't think it's that much trauma. Is it?

[Ronny Chieng]

Okay. No, I'm trying to give you.

[Friend]

I don't know.

[Ronny Chieng]

I read this. I'm like, look, okay, the beatings I get because Singapore. Yeah, I'm Asian. The beatings, that doesn't faze me.

[Friend]

I was gonna go in for a fist bump, but then that felt really inappropriate.

[Ronny Chieng]

Yeah, beatings, beatings. But the. But the. I mean, at one point, you end up in a meth house. Okay? So that's kind of traumatic, right?

[Friend]

I was in a house where everyone was doing meth. I didn't do meth, Ronnie.

[Ronny Chieng]

Jesus.

[Friend]

Oh, my God. My mom's watching.

[Ronny Chieng]

Okay, I'm sorry. You didn't do meth. You just hung out with.

[Friend]

I did heroin and cocaine. So thank you. That's a good brunch.

[Ronny Chieng]

So. But. And you recommend that over meth, basically?

[Friend]

I've never tried meth.

[Ronny Chieng]

All right.

[Friend]

Yeah. No, I don't recommend any of it.

[Ronny Chieng]

Okay. For legal reasons. Please tell the camera you don't recommend that. And then when you came to America, did the propaganda in Korea work? Did you think America was cool? And then you came here and did it match your expectations?

[Friend]

Oh, my God. This isn't even part of the book. But this is a big part of my upbringing. So. My dad is white, he's American, he's from Jersey City, and he has not lived in the states in over 40 years now.

[Ronny Chieng]

Jersey, best airport in the world.

[Friend]

Newark, baby.

[Ronny Chieng]

Newark Airport.

[Friend]

Yeah, it's good.

[Ronny Chieng]

Represent. Yeah.

[Friend]

Sponsored by Newark International Airport. But my dad is really interesting. He's, like, very anti American. So I didn't even write about that in the book. That could be its own book. It's really weird. And so all the Koreans would Be like. And also, my dad is from Jersey City, but he dresses like a cowboy. This is a whole story. But, like, sorry I cussed, but.

[Ronny Chieng]

No, it's okay. We can cuss on this.

[Friend]

Yeah.

[Ronny Chieng]

You talk about taking cocaine. Okay. Saying is the least of our problems on the.

[Friend]

Yeah, it's just gonna be like, a bunch of beliefs. Anyway, so my dad was, like, really anti American. So, like, the old Korean people would be like, you're from America. Yeah. And he'd be like, it sucks. Like, the guy from, like, Born on the Fourth of July, like, let me tell you. Like, he was like that.

[Ronny Chieng]

Wow.

[Friend]

So I had anti American propaganda at home.

[Ronny Chieng]

Oh, so he balanced out.

[Friend]

Yeah, balanced out. So now I'm neutral. I have no feelings about America.

[Ronny Chieng]

But did he ever move back to America?

[Friend]

No, he's still in Korea.

[Ronny Chieng]

Oh, he's in Korea.

[Friend]

My mom.

[Ronny Chieng]

Yeah, like, he's. He's the white. He's a Korean. White guy in Korea just speaking koreangyeri. Wow.

[Friend]

Nobody knows where that is. Okay. If you were Korean, you would have laughed. It's like a farm. Country farm. Like, towns, like, really small.

[Ronny Chieng]

Wow. He's a Korean farmer. Your white dad's a Korean. Your Jersey white dad became a Korean farmer.

[Friend]

I don't think he's doing any farming, but he does live in.

[Ronny Chieng]

In the farmland. This is a triumph of multiculturalism, really. This book, to me felt like a lot like therapy. It was like going through therapy for you. Because, again, it is very heavy. It genuinely is very funny on every page, but it's a lot of heavy stuff. Was it difficult going through these memories, you know, when you were writing this?

[Friend]

I think I have this thing where I just kind of, like, blur things out, and then, like, four months later, I'll cry on the subway. I'm like, no, this is fine. I love this. And then it was just, like, out of nowhere. I'm like, I can't get out of bed. Like, I feel like I just, like, pummeled through it. But I think, you know, the way that it's written, I accredit to my Korean culture because this is, like, how all my family talks. You know, they're like, Korean country people. Everything is a joke, you know? And they've been through a million times worse things than I've been through, which is, you know, in the book. And it's just, like, how my brain was, like, I think, culturally trained to think about stuff. And so even when I was writing it, I would just be, like, crying, like, oh, God, this is horrible. And then I would be like, you know, I'd be like, anyway, I'm a damn bitch and I would like start laughing.

[Ronny Chieng]

Right.

[Friend]

So I think my brain does that automatically, like when it gets too sad. But I mean, a lot of people do that, right?

[Ronny Chieng]

It's like self sack. Use comedy to kind of walk through the trauma. Yeah, that's what you did.

[Friend]

And it feels really good. Honestly, I think what I was setting out to do with the book was to replicate the feeling of, like, when you go. When something really bad happens to you and you go to your friend's house and then like, let's say somebody broke up with you and you're like, yeah, and he's bald and ugly or whatever. And then your friend will say something like, you know, remember that time he ripped his pants and you saw. Nevermind. I got almost got a little carried away. Like, remember when he ripped his pants and everyone laughed at him? And then you start laughing really hard when you're crying. Like, I'm trying to replicate that feeling in the book.

[Ronny Chieng]

Right.

[Friend]

And so.

[Ronny Chieng]

And I gotta say, I definitely think you succeeded in that.

[Friend]

Oh, my God.

[Ronny Chieng]

Thank you. Because I was feeling, I was laughing as I was. Like, if I had emotions, I would cry at this. But I could tell it's a very sad story. But I mean, but thanks for. Thanks for writing the book and thanks for surviving, persevering through it, and thanks for teaching people how to use comedy to work through trauma. And I hope you can. I hope the new restaurant venture succeeds and you can stop working for your ex husband. Is that.

[Friend]

It's not as bad as it sounds, but I hope that too.

[Ronny Chieng]

Okay, okay, everybody. Hey, I'm laughing because I'm crying. It's available now. Hey, Jiang Mi mayor, everybody. We're gonna take a quick break. We'll be right back after. That's our show for the night. Now here it is, your moment of Zen.

[Josh Johnson]

Where did you learn to speak so beautifully?

[Friend]

Okay, that was awkward. That is what you get when our.

[Ronny Chieng]

Nation'S diplomat in chief has no idea what he's doing.

[Finance Expert]

I think the praising people's English and diction is fantastic.

[Ronny Chieng]

Explore more shows from the Daily show podcast universe by searching the Daily Show. Wherever you get your podcasts, watch the Daily show weeknights at 1110 Central on Comedy Central and stream full episodes anytime on Paramount. Plus, this has been a Comedy Central podcast.