I Just Read About That…

[ATTENDED: February 12, 2026] Kim’s Convenience

My wife and I really enjoyed Kim’s Convenience when it aired.  My mother-in-law enjoyed it and then recently, my son watched it on his own.

When this performance–the play that started it all, performed by the writer–was announced at McCarter, I grabbed my wife and I tickets ASAP.  Then when my son found out about it he wanted to go as well.  He couldn’t go the night we had tickets, but I was able to exchange our tickets for another night and get an extra one for my son.  I haven’t been to the Berlind Theater for a long time and I forgot how tiny it is.  So even though our seats were near the back, they were still really close.

McCarter had a lot of fun with this production, setting up a Canadian/Korean market in the lobby with Canadian flags and sweaters and lots of posters. They sold Korean goods (from the local Woori Mart) and may have even brought it some Canadian favorites (some drinks and ketchup flavored potato chips).

I didn’t know what the play would be like.  I assumed it would be the first episode or two.  But it wasn’t.  The set up was the same–Mr Kim moved to Toronto and opened his Convenience store.  He had worked there tirelessly every day.  He has built friendships and has the respect of the community.

The Kims have two children.  Janet, who lives at home and is going to college for photography and Jung, who has gotten into trouble as a kid, got into a fight with his father and left the house.  Jung and his father haven’t spoken in a long time, but his mother does check up on him.

The play is wonderfully simple–just a few characters (with one actor playing several different roles).  It is very funny and then surprisingly touching.

The play opens with one of Appa’s acquaintances offering to buy his store.  There’s a lot of new housing being built in the neighborhood and the fellow suggests that there will be new stores that put him out of business.  He offers a very large sum.  But Appa doesn’t want to sell–this store is his life.

There are very funny parts, funny parts that are potentially racist, but which are handled very deftly.  Appa tries to teach Janet how to run the store and the first thing to know is who is going to steal. Janet is horrified, but his system is fairly sophisticated (and quite funny).

There’s a sweet romantic plot.  One of Jung’s friends–who Janet had a crush on when they were little–comes into the store.  And sparks may be rekindled–if either one can actually talk to the other.

Umma doesn’t have a lot to do in the story.  But her insights are essential.  There’s some flashbacks (handled very well with the lighting and designs) and of course, it is Amma who talks to Jung, and encourages him to talk to Appa again.

The show was pretty faithful to the play, although Jung’s character has fallen a lot further in the play than in the TV show.   And, frankly, some of the events in the play would have complicated the show if they had been left in.

Appa is a really funny character and Ins Choi (the writer) is great as the character.  And I was genuinely surprised at how touching the ending was.  The three of us really enjoyed the play and I’m so glad my son was able to come with us.