Kim’s Convenience is a Canadian sitcom that captured the hearts of many viewers globally introducing them to the immigrant Korean-Canadian experience in a positive light. The show’s future seemed imminent after it was renewed in 2020 for both season 5 and 6, but things quickly changed when it was announced in March 2021 that season 5 would be the last. Fans are still wondering what happened to cause such an abrupt ending to the show. In this article, we’ll dive into the reasons and reactions surrounding Kim’s Convenience’s cancellation.

According to a statement released by the show’s executive producers, CBC canceled Kim’s Convenience due to the departure of its two co-creators, Ins Choi and Kevin White. Authenticity of storytelling was essential to the success of the show. Sadly, their exit resulted in the difficult decision that the show’s heart and quality could no longer be maintained to produce another season. Kim’s Convenience creators specifically stated that without Ins Choi, there is no show.

Further comments from the show’s actors revealed that more than just Choi and White’s exit was behind the cancellation. Kim’s Convenience lead actor Simu Liu expressed his disappointment and explained that the show highlighted immigrant culture, which was important to global fans. Liu also added that he would have continued acting on the show, given the opportunity. Other actors confirmed that they were paid meagerly for their work, and there wasn’t enough diversity in the writer’s room.

Ins Choi, who played the character of Appa, stated in a Globe and Mail article that he was unsure about continuing the show before the end of season 5. After he completed the season, he discussed the issue with the show’s producer and creator. He felt that he had nothing more to offer and was “dry,” which led him to depart from the show.

Despite the continued viewership and popularity of Kim’s Convenience, there remains the uncertainty of what’s next. The show would never be the same without the central characters of Appa and Umma, played by Paul Sun-Hyung Lee and Jean Yoon, respectively. Fans would have loved to have seen the characters reconcile in the show’s eventual sixth season and for Jung, played by Simu Liu, to continue his education and grow even more. However, with the conditions surrounding the cancellation, things look uncertain for the show’s future. Currently, Nicole Power’s character is working on a Kim’s spin-off called Strays on CBC.

Kim’s Convenience’s cancellation was saddening for both its fans and the actors. The show promoted positive immigrant culture and experiences, which are often lacking in mainstream media. Despite the show’s cancellation, the show’s stars and viewers will continue to cherish the memories shared, and express their hope that the creators can deliver new, positive experiences in the future. In the meantime, fans will continue to relish the five seasons of Kim’s Convenience available on Netflix.

1. Did Kim’s Convenience have a proper ending?

No, due to the show’s cancellation, season 5 is the last season available on Netflix, and there wasn’t a proper ending for the show.

2. Why did CBC cancel Kim’s Convenience?

CBC canceled the show due to the departure of its co-creators, and the remaining team was not confident that they could maintain the show’s heart and quality.

3. What’s next for Nicole Power’s character, Shannon Ross?

Power’s character features in the spin-off called Strays on Canadian broadcaster CBC.

4. Was there conflict among the actors?

Simu Liu claimed that the actors received poor pay, and there wasn’t enough diversity in the writer’s room. However, there was no indication of conflict among the actors.

5. Will there be any other shows related to or similar to Kim’s Convenience in the future?

There has been no news of any future shows similar to Kim’s Convenience. Nevertheless, we are hopeful that creative, positive, and authentic storytelling like Kim’s Convenience will be a part of the future.