Kim's Convenience

Kim's Convenience follows the Kims, a Korean-Canadian family who run a small corner store in downtown Toronto. Appa and Umma moved to Canada in the 1980s and raised two children, Janet and Jung, who are now adults with very different lives. The store is where family pride, cultural expectations, and neighborhood gossip meet daily commerce and dry humor. Old wounds run under the surface, especially the long estrangement between Appa and Jung after a violent fight when Jung was a teen. Episodes mix workplace hijinks with quieter moments about belonging, career choices, and what it means to be family without resolving every conflict.

The series premiered in 2016 on CBC Television, created by Ins Choi and Kevin White, and it was adapted from Ins Choi's stage play, bringing a well-loved theatrical story to television audiences.

The show earned recognition at Canadian awards ceremonies, attracting nominations for acting and writing and bringing attention to its cast and creative team. This industry notice helped solidify its reputation within Canada without relying on major international prizes.

Culturally, Kim's Convenience raised the profile of Asian Canadian stories on mainstream television and influenced how immigrant families are represented in sitcom form. It introduced wider audiences to the actors, notably helping Simu Liu gain visibility that led to larger opportunities, and it became a reference point for discussions about diversity in Canadian media.

Critics and viewers generally responded positively, reflected in a user vote average of 7.556 out of 10 from 151 votes. Reviewers highlighted the ensemble chemistry, character-driven humor, and the show's focus on generational differences, immigrant experience, and the small-business grind. The tone blends laugh-out-loud moments with scenes that are quieter and more reflective, keeping episodes warm and approachable while addressing real emotional stakes.