‘OK, see you’: Teen reacts to end of Kim’s Convenience
CBC-TV show is ending 1 season early
When 14-year-old Audrey Cheng heard that Kim’s Convenience had been cancelled, she was a bit sad — and surprised.
The CBC-TV show was scheduled to run for six seasons, but was cancelled after five.
Although she might not quite qualify as a “Kimbit” — or mega fan — Audrey said she was hoping for more after binge-watching all of the episodes on Netflix a couple months ago.
Being half-Korean, Audrey said she liked the diversity of the cast.
“The show was a great representation of Asian culture on TV,” she told CBC Kids News.
On March 8, the show’s producers announced they were going to stop production on the award-winning comedy series because the show’s co-creators, Ins Choi and Kevin White, were moving on to other projects.
The final episode airs on CBC Gem and CBC-TV on April 13.
The TV show Kim’s Convenience is based in Toronto, Ontario. This store was used for the outdoor shots. (Image credit: Lorenda Reddekopp/CBC)
Reactions to the cancellation
Some of the show’s stars also voiced their surprise at the early cancellation.
“I’m heartbroken,” said Simu Liu on Twitter shortly after the announcement was made.
The actor said he had hoped his character, Jung Kim, could reconcile with his father, Appa Kim, in the final season.
“I feel we deserved better. I feel that you, our most amazing fans, deserved better,” Liu said in his statement.
Canadian actor Simu Liu plays Jung Kim, who is the son of the family and a rental car company employee. (Image credit: Tijana Martin/The Canadian Press)
Kimbits rallied together on social media, hoping to convince the producers to change their minds about dropping the sixth season.
In a statement on March 8, the show’s producers explained why they didn’t want to make another season without the co-creators as part of the team.
“Given their departure from the series, we have come to the difficult conclusion that we cannot deliver another season of the same heart and quality that has made the show so special.”
The CBC defended that decision in the same news release.
CBC "understands the producers’ creative decision to wrap up the show at this time,” said Sally Catto, general manager for entertainment at the CBC.
As for Audrey, she said it probably isn’t the end of the world to stop the show at its peak.
Yes, they could have continued with the storyline, Audrey said, but the episodes have been high quality up to this point, so “that’s a good place to end it.”
Audrey’s favourite character from Kim’s Convenience is Appa because he reminds her of her grandfather. (Image submitted by Audrey Cheng)
Representing Korean-Canadian culture
Kim’s Convenience has been praised for shining a light on Korean culture.
The significance of that wasn’t lost on Audrey.
“My grandpa owned a bunch of stores when he came to Canada and his stories resonated with Appa,” she said.
Not to mention the Korean phrases.
Audrey said the show accurately portrayed her culture.
Being able to identify with the characters is part of what made it so addictive, she said.
“I feel like it’s just nice to have my culture represented,” Audrey said.
“Other friends have watched Kim’s Convenience, and now they can recognize a Korean dish. Something like that is really nice.”
Asian actors got a boost
The show has also been credited with shining the spotlight on Asian actors and broadening their careers.
Paul Sun-Hyung Lee, who plays patriarch Appa, has acted in shows such as The Mandalorian on Disney Plus.
The cast of Kim’s Convenience has won multiple awards, including a Canadian Screen Award.
(Image credit: Fred Thornhill/Reuters)
And Liu, who plays Appa’s son, will star as Shang-Chi in the upcoming Marvel movie Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings.
He will be the first Asian actor to lead a Marvel Studios film.
That movie is expected to be released in Canada this summer.
In the meantime, even some of the biggest names in Canada are pausing to say “OK, see you,” to Kim’s Convenience.
With files from CBC News
