TV HIT RETURNS TO STAGE
The groundbreaking Kim’s Convenience began as a stage play that was more than a comedy. Shawn Conner talks to actor James Yi, who plays patriarch Appa.
While most people know it as a CBC TV series, Kim’s Convenience actually began onstage. Written by Canadian-Korean actor Ins Choi, the play was first performed at the 2011 Toronto Fringe Festival. In 2012, that city’s Soulpepper Theatre company remounted it for a production that won two Toronto Theatre Critics awards and a nomination for the Dora Mavor Moore Award (for Outstanding New Play). For the Pacific Theatre production, Kaitlin Williams (who directed last year’s hit Almost, Maine for the theatre) is directing, with a cast that includes James Yi, Maki Yi, Tre Cotten, Jessie Liang, and Lee Shorten. We talked to James Yi, who plays Appa, owner of Kim’s Convenience.
Q You’ve done the play earlier this year, in Chemainus. What’s different about this production, besides the rest of the cast?
A The heart of the character is the same. With the stage, being a proscenium there and an alley here at Pacific Theatre, it’s very different in how it’s blocked. And interacting with the other players in the cast. And the size of the venue is a little different. It changes the dynamics quite a bit. But my approach to the character is the same.
Q How do you see the character differently than Paul SunHyung Lee (who plays Appa Kim on the TV series)?
A I’ve seen Paul Lee twice in the play before the TV show started. The play is a very different animal than the TV show. The TV show is strictly a comedy for television, but the play has room to go to some other emotional places. The character of Appa has more complexity in the play. But I’m a huge fan of the TV show. I think Paul’s an icon.
Q Did you see the original Soulpepper production?
A I did, and I saw it at the Fringe, when it debuted and won the best new play. I got to hang out with the cast on closing night, and meet Ins (Choi, playwright). I felt then like this was something that was kind of a destiny situation. I knew I was going to play Appa one day. It’s been seven years since, but it actually happened.
Q Have the show and play had much of an impact on the Korean-Canadian community?
A It’s probably had more impact on the second generation, and Korean-Americans as well now that it (the series) is on Netflix internationally. The comedy
and the situations relate to that generation. I think the first generation can appreciate it as well. Appa represents that generation. Q It seems as though Kim’s Convenience has given a voice to the Korean-Canadian community.
A Yes. I was immensely proud, just being a person of Korean heritage watching the play the first time. I was so touched and moved by the play, I was laughing my head off, I was going through so many things. To stand and give a standing ovation with the entire audience, most of whom weren’t Korean but were deeply touched by the play, I knew it went well beyond the ethnic slant on the story.
It’s universal in its message. It has to do with family, and everyone can relate to that.
And I’m extremely proud that a story about a Korean-Canadian family has found national and international attention. It’s something that I never thought would happen.