[ Interview ] Yuriyan Retriever – Comedian | Netflix Is A Joke Presents: Yuriyan Retriever at Laugh Factory is coming up!

■ About her name: “Pompompurin, a Sanrio character, is a golden retriever. That’s where ‘Retriever’ comes from. My favorite character is Hello Kitty.”

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It’s been about one year and four months since she moved to the U.S. in December 2024. Yuriyan Retriever, who had already established herself as a leading female comedian in Japan, left that success behind to start a new chapter in Los Angeles—a place with a different language and culture. This wasn’t a trip or a short work assignment. She came here to live and pursue her next stage.

“ I don’t put limits on myself. I want to do everything—acting, directing films, comedy. My dream is to become a Hollywood superstar.”

Her eyes sparkle with excitement, and her bright energy is contagious. Rather than fearing challenges, she seems to truly enjoy them.

Her next big stage will be on May 9 at the historic Laugh Factory in Hollywood, where she will perform a solo stand-up show at 6 PM as part of Netflix Is a Joke Fest.

“To perform here, you need to know exactly who you are. I always worry about whether my words will land, but I want to express something only I can.”

When asked how she is honing her craft in LA, she shared that she actively joins open mic nights, paying $5 for five minutes on stage.

“Sometimes I don’t know if the audience isn’t laughing because I’m not funny, or because my English isn’t coming across. But I enjoy challenging myself in places where no one knows who I am.”

Her career has been remarkable: she appeared on America’s Got Talent in 2019, won the prestigious R-1 Grand Prix in 2021, became a regular investigator on Tantei! Night Scoop in 2023, and starred as Dump Matsumoto in the 2024 Netflix drama The Queen of Villains, gaining widespread attention. In 2025, she made her directorial debut with the film Mag Mag, which was officially selected and screened at 22 international film festivals worldwide.

When asked why she chose comedy, she reflected:
“I was shy as a child, but deep down I think I wanted attention. When I was in elementary school, I watched Yoshimoto Shinkigeki and thought it was hilarious. When I imitated it, everyone laughed, and that made me so happy. In high school, I was supposed to perform comedy with a friend, but they backed out at the last minute. I ended up going on stage alone and did an impression of my teacher. That might have been my starting point.”

She says she constantly observes everyday life, taking notes on anything she finds funny. Recently, she got her California driver’s license, which has expanded her world even more.

“I want to work hard in LA and reach audiences all over the world. Please come see me on May 9!”