Theatre | The Guardian: Born in South Korea in 1974 and raised in Toronto, Canada, Ins Choi is a writer and actor. He’s best known for his play turned sitcom Kim’s Convenience, an offbeat comedy inspired by his immigrant family’s shop. It premiered at the Toronto fringe in 2011, with Choi playing the titular family patriarch’s son, before being turned, in 2016, into a CBC sitcom, which ran for five seasons.
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There is something really beautiful about Choi originating the role of the son in his play, and now having aged into playing the father. The fact that his kids come to see the show with him in it and laugh and say it’s just like him at home is a true testament to the cycles of life and the impact our parents have on us. I am curious how Choi’s own father and the rest of his family may have interacted with the play and/or the sitcom. I am really interested in the prodigal son aspects of the play, and I think it is interesting that the play was turned into a lighter sitcom, since I feel like usually adaptations go the other way––starting with something light or fun and finding a deeper dramatic thread to turn it into a play or movie. I’d be curious to see it and what the differences are.
Asian actors and creators have often been underrepresented in the entertainment industry, and plays about Asian culture are even less common. This makes productions like Kim’s Convenience in the Western world a rare and important achievement. Ins Choi’s approach to his work is truly inspiring. In many jobs, people tend to forget why they started in the first place, losing the passion they once had. Choi reminds us how important it is to put love and effort into what we do. His thoughts on creating immigrant characters show his dedication to portraying them honestly and avoiding harmful stereotypes. His work connects with many people, especially Asian audiences who see their own experiences in his stories. Choi also talks about the sacrifices made by the first generation of immigrants, like his parents, which gives him the drive to tell these stories. This shows that the world is ready to hear voices like his.
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