Kim's Convenience Stage Review

The set of Kim's Convenience
at Derby Theatre, March 2025
Photograph Debra Hall

Kim's Convenience

Written by Ins Choi

Directed by Esther Jun

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Overview

Appa has been running his local convenience store in a Toronto neighbourhood for many years, he has become set in his ways and he fixates over small matters and enjoys stereotyping his clientele to make his day more interesting. He's a family man but carries a heavy heart mainly because of enstrangement; his wife, (Umma) thinks he should accept a generous offer of a buy out and retire. 

Daughter, Janet (Jan) is exasperated by her father as equally as she is in loving and being entertained by him, together in the shop they make a double act in cheap point scoring to substitute the boredom.

Being the children of a Korean immigrant(s) certain expectations had weighed heavy on the shoulders of Jan and her brother, Jung. Jan had weathered the storm well and is now in her thirties and wants to be a photographer, she has no interest in taking over the shop. She is lively and courts her singledom, nonetheless flirting with an old crush, Alex is turning her head as well as her fathers!

In church, Jung opens up to his mother about his unhappiness despite being father to a new baby. It becomes apparent however, that Appa's teachings in regard to their Korean heritage has impacted on Jung in his adult life because when Jung enters the shop at the play's end and Appa quizzes him about significant dates and Korean related achievements that he had taught him, Jung responds by remembering each and every event; this impresses Appa greatly.

Comment

Written as a stage play first, (one that Toronto fringe premiered in 2011) Kim's Convenience has since been a Canadian sit-com for CBS Television, this coincided with the rise of interest in Korean pop culture over the last decade. Kim's Convenience also became a Netflix hit internationally.

Back to the play (which has not changed from its original) Kim’s Convenience was a sell out at Park Theatre, London and is now on a UK tour, whereas in Canada it is on the theatre programming again with a new cast, where the family patriarch, Appa is to be played by the play's actual creator and writer himself, Ins Choi.

This touring production of Kim's Convenience has a recognisable formula it is an ordinary, largely unremarkable story in an everyday setting. The themes include the generational divide and problems family experience in that regard. The feelings too, of displacement from first family immigrants and how that can run deep. Also the kind of strong determination people have to make good those life decisions made, and to have a sense of purpose in home and working life which (in this case) means serving the local community well. 

This is undoubtedly a comedy however, and it does not preach or take any of the serious issues to heart; it is nicely balanced, as many comedies which lighten the darker sides of life turn out to be. The Appa character has been gifted with sharp wit and remains unruffled by whatever comes into his day.

It is a pleasant and entertaining 75 minutes time spent at the theatre, with a colourful and fully equipped corner shop and a wonderful cast of five, namely James Yi (Appa); Candace Leung (Umma); Caroline Donica (Janet); Daniel Phung (Jung) and Andrew Gichigi who plays Alex, but also an array of characters who frequent the shop.

**ENDS**

Review by theatre critic, Debra Hall who attended the performance of Kim's Convenience at Derby Theatre on Wednesday 19 March 2025 at 7.30 pm

REFERENCES

Arts Club Theatre Company

https://artsclub.com/

Kim's Convenience Derby Theatre

https://derbytheatre.co.uk/event/kims-convenience/

Represent Asian Project

https://representasianproject.com/news/kims-convenience-ins-choi-interview/

Toronto Life

https://torontolife.com/culture/kims-convenience-creator-ins-choi-on-the-shows-new-theatrical-production/

Photography Debra Hall