If you’re in the mood for a warm, witty, and culturally insightful sitcom that celebrates the immigrant experience and the endearing quirks of family life, then “Kim’s Convenience” is an absolute gem. This Canadian series, based on the award-winning play by Ins Choi, offers a hilarious and heartfelt look at a Korean-Canadian family running a corner store in downtown Toronto.
What is “Kim’s Convenience” about?
“Kim’s Convenience” centers on the Kim family:
- Appa (Mr. Kim, played by Paul Sun-Hyung Lee): The stubborn, traditional, and often hilariously opinionated patriarch who proudly runs the convenience store he built from scratch after immigrating to Canada from Korea. He’s fiercely protective of his business and his family, but often struggles to understand the modern world and his Canadian-born children.
- Umma (Mrs. Kim, played by Jean Yoon): The warm-hearted, devoutly religious, and equally strong-willed matriarch. She acts as the bridge between Appa and their children, often mediating their generational and cultural clashes.
- Janet (played by Andrea Bang): Their artistic and independent daughter, who attends art school (OCAD) and frequently helps out at the store. She navigates the expectations of her traditional parents with her desire for a modern, independent life.
- Jung (played by Simu Liu): Their estranged son. He had a falling out with Appa years ago and now works at a car rental agency with his best friend Kimchee (Andrew Phung) and his quirky manager Shannon (Nicole Power). The series often explores his efforts to reconcile with his father and find his own path.
The show finds its humor and heart in the daily interactions within the convenience store, with its diverse clientele, and the domestic lives of the Kims. It beautifully explores themes of immigration, generational gaps, cultural identity, family loyalty, and the challenges of running a small business in a rapidly gentrifying neighborhood. It’s a relatable story about family, love, and finding common ground despite differences.
Why “Kim’s Convenience” is a compelling watch:
- Authentic Cultural Representation: It was groundbreaking as the first Canadian comedy series with a primarily Asian-Canadian cast and offers a nuanced, often comedic, portrayal of the Korean immigrant experience.
- Hilarious Characters: Appa, in particular, is a comedic force, with his blunt observations and unique worldview. All the characters are well-developed and genuinely funny.
- Heartfelt Family Dynamics: Despite the humor, the show deeply explores the love and complexities within the Kim family, making their struggles and triumphs genuinely moving.
- Relatable Themes: The show touches on universal themes of parent-child relationships, finding your place in the world, and balancing tradition with modernity, making it relatable to a broad audience.
- Sharp Writing: The dialogue is witty, snappy, and often includes clever wordplay and cultural misunderstandings that lead to comedic gold.
Who are the main actors in “Kim’s Convenience”?
- Paul Sun-Hyung Lee as Appa (Mr. Sang-il Kim)
- Jean Yoon as Umma (Mrs. Yong-mi Kim)
- Andrea Bang as Janet Kim
- Simu Liu as Jung Kim
- Andrew Phung as Kimchee Han (Jung’s best friend)
- Nicole Power as Shannon Ross (Jung’s manager)
- Ben Beauchemin as Gerald Tremblay (Janet’s friend/roommate)
Where to Watch “Kim’s Convenience”:
“Kim’s Convenience” originally aired on CBC in Canada. All five seasons are widely available for streaming in the U.S. on:
- Netflix
- Amazon Prime Video (for purchase, and sometimes free with ads via Prime Video channels or Freevee)
- Xumo Play (free with ads)
- Plex (free with ads)
- You can also purchase individual episodes or full seasons on digital platforms like Apple TV and Google Play Movies & TV.
If you enjoyed “Kim’s Convenience,” you might also like:
- Schitt’s Creek (Hulu): Another beloved Canadian sitcom about a wealthy family who loses everything and must adjust to life in a small town. Known for its humor and heartwarming character development.
- Fresh Off the Boat (Hulu): An American sitcom that similarly explores the immigrant experience and family dynamics, focusing on a Taiwanese-American family in the 1990s.
- Never Have I Ever (Netflix): A coming-of-age comedy-drama about an Indian-American teenager navigating high school, family, and cultural expectations.
- One Day at a Time (Netflix/Pop TV): A rebooted sitcom that offers a contemporary look at a Cuban-American family, tackling timely social issues with humor and heart.
- Master of None (Netflix): For a more introspective and cinematic comedy that explores the life of an actor in New York City, with episodes often delving into the experiences of immigrant parents.