Lindsay Pai
Lindsay Pai: #OKSeeYou
Mr. Kim sips his coffee as he argues with his daughter Janet about whether she can take the car and go out because it’s her shift at the store. They pause their yelling abruptly when a customer comes in and Janet goes behind the counter, smiling, to cash him out. As the customer is leaving Janet shoots an exasperated look to her father who nods and smiles at the man “ok see you”. As soon as the door closes they go back to glaring at each other. This simple day-in-the-life exchange hits so close to home and is broadcast on national television for every Canadian to see. OMG, this is me. This is my life. This is so true.
The thoughts ramble through my head and I can’t believe it for the first time something SO relatable and SO a part of my life is being represented on television with all Asian actors. Kim’s Convenience premiered October 11th 2016 on CBC and changed the face of Asian representation in Canadian media. It was the first time an all Asian cast in Canada was leading a show, and it aired to rave reviews and awesome ratings. Also, it was so freaking spot on. Maybe I just laughed more because it was basically my life story but I feel like on that level then it connected with so many Korean Canadians. I grew up in a store.
My father was part of the KBA and I was working behind that counter in elementary school. The typical Korean Canadian child, I got good grades, played the piano, went to Korean school and there was no such thing as “being grounded” instead I was sent to the store! That store, which my parents still have, which I still work at when I visit home. Looking back that store gave me and my parents a sense of community.
My Korean school friends all had stores. We had this common bond and could instantly connect. We had something that most other Canadians didn’t have. A huge chunk of my Korean Canadian identity came from growing up in the Korean Convenience Store world. I would go into a random store in the next town and they would know me. I got free candy and they would say “oh look how tall you are now!”. I treasured this little community – especially since it was how my parents who moved to this foreign country with little connections and a basic grasp of English made friends and had a social life.
This life, the struggles, the cultural differences, the family love is all captured so well in Kim’s Convenience and truly made me feel proud to be Korean Canadian. I’m proud that I live in a country where a show like this exists and is accepted and beloved. Canada is such a mosaic and I’m happy that a little chunk of my culture and life is represented in such a heartwarming, positive way for everyone to see and has a place on Canadian television.