Kim's Convenience

KIM'S CONVENIENCE IS FUNNY, HEARTFELT AND FULL OF BEAUTIFULLY RELATABLE MOMENTS

I went into Kim’s Convenience not really knowing what to expect. I hadn’t watched the Netflix series and didn’t have any prior attachment to the story, but I’d heard it was warm, funny and heartfelt – and honestly, it completely lived up to that. I always love seeing something a bit different at HOME, and this one delivered in a way that felt both refreshingly honest and really moving.

Kim’s Convenience is centred around Mr Kim (known as Appa), a proud Korean shopkeeper in Toronto. He runs the family convenience store with strict values and a sharp tongue, while his daughter Janet dreams of a more modern, independent life. The story follows their often-clashing relationship, as well as the wider family dynamic, including the estranged son Jung and long-suffering wife Umma. It’s a story about family, identity and the generational gap that so many will relate to – even if they’ve never set foot in a corner shop.

Walking into the theatre was like entering Mr Kim’s world. The set was a fully dressed convenience store, packed with detail and charm - and plenty of stock. From handwritten signs to jam-packed shelves, it felt totally lived-in and authentic. Lighting was simple but effective, keeping the focus on the action and allowing the emotional beats to land without distraction. It never felt overdone – which fits perfectly for such a grounded and realistic play.

James Yi (Kim’s Convenience Netflix, The Interview) plays Appa and is absolutely fantastic. His delivery is sharp, dry and full of heart – switching between hilarious stubbornness and moments of real vulnerability with ease. Caroline Donica (Aurora Theatre’s Kim’s Convenience, Godspell) plays Janet, and brings so much energy to the role. Their chemistry is incredibly natural with the bond seen between many dads and daughters, which makes sense as they’ve performed together before, and it really shows.

Some real stand-out moments came in the back-and-forth between Appa and Janet – moments that were hilariously awkward one minute and quietly emotional the next. One particular scene, where Janet tries to reason with her father about her photography ambitions, had the audience laughing and then going silent as the tension crept in. You could feel the whole room was completely with them. Another great moment was a brilliant scene where Appa offers to teach Janet how to run the store, starting with deciding whether a customer would steal or not steal – genuinely laugh-out-loud funny.

Candace Leung (Spent BBC, Criminal Minds CBS) plays Umma, and although she doesn’t say as much, her expressions and timing are spot on, so much so you can still understand her thinking whenever she’s speaking Korean. There’s a quiet power in her presence that brings balance to the family dynamic. Daniel Phung (Blade Runner 2099 Amazon, Rain Dogs HBO/BBC) is great as Jung, adding tension and depth to the storyline with his scenes opposite Appa and Umma, while Andrew Gichigi (Kim’s Convenience Riverside Studios, Anansi Boys Amazon) brings warmth and a few light-hearted moments as Alex and other customers - his range is fantastic. 

The audience were fully engaged throughout. There were plenty of big laughs, but also quiet moments where you could hear a pin drop – always a good sign. The small space at HOME worked perfectly for a show like this, making it feel intimate and real, like we were sitting inside the shop ourselves.

The play itself is a one act show, which is perfect for a spring evening or a midweek theatre trip if you don’t want to be out too late. By using this format, it feels like you’re watching an extended episode of the show, fitting to the origins of the story and how it started on Netflix. 

Whether you’ve followed the series or are a total newcomer like me, Kim’s Convenience is worth seeing if you’re after a feel good show. It’s funny, heartfelt and full of beautifully relatable moments that speak to anyone who’s ever had a difficult conversation with a parent. At its heart, it’s a story about love – complicated, messy, but always there.

WE SCORE KIM'S CONVENIENCE...