After five seasons on CBC, Kim’s Convenience is closing its doors.
The news came on Monday afternoon via producers.
“Authenticity of storytelling is at the centre of the success of Kim’s Convenience,” the show’s producers said in a statement. “At the end of production on Season 5, our two co-creators confirmed they were moving on to other projects. Given their departure from the series, we have come to the difficult conclusion that we cannot deliver another season of the same heart and quality that has made the show so special. Kim’s Convenience has meant so much to our cast, writers, crew, and audiences around the world. Despite the restrictions and complications of shooting during the pandemic, Season 5 is our finest season to date. It’s been a privilege and a very great pleasure to work with the Kim’s family of gifted writers and performers for the last five years. Thank you to our fans for the love and support you’ve given this show.â€
The statement was followed by messages from the cast on social media. The series had previously been earmarked for Season 6.
“It was announced today that the current season of #kimsconvenience will be our last and we will not make a season 6,” Andrew Phung posted on Twitter. “It’s a bittersweet end to one of the greatest experiences of my life. I’m so proud of what we’ve done and want to reflect and thank those who made it possible.
“We were the little show that could,” he continued. “Based on a fringe fest play that major theatres passed on. Ins Choi took this from an idea, to the stage, and w/ Kevin White to the TV screen. Few gave us a chance but we were a breakout hit. Thank you Ins and Kevin for your ideas and stories.”
You can read the rest of Phung’s heartfelt message, and feedback here, as well as Twitter posts by co-stars Simu Liu, Paul Sun-Hyung Lee and Jean Yoon.
This fifth season has seen the Kim family face one of its toughest challenges yet, with a difficult medical diagnosis for Umma (Jean Yoon), Appa (Paul Sun-Hyung Lee) stepping up as the primary caregiver, and recently-graduated Janet (Andrea Bang) moving back home. Meanwhile, Jung’s (Simu Liu) trip to business school has tested his relationship with Shannon (Nicole Power) and Kimchee (Andrew Phung) reconnected with his family, and his high school crush.
Recently, Kim’s Convenience was recognized by TV Guide as one of the best “feel good†streaming series available and a perfect quarantine distraction by Oprah magazine.
Awards it has collected include Canadian Screen Award wins for Phung, Sun-Hyung Lee, Amanda Brugel and the series, and nominations for Bang, Yoon and Power. The series has also received nominations for awards from the Writers Guild of Canada, and the Directors Guild of Canada.
In addition to airing in Canada on CBC and CBC Gem, the series also streams on Netflix and is watched on cable and VOD platforms around the world, including in Japan and Korea.
The news comes a week after it was announced Frankie Drake Mysteries would not return for Season 5 on CBC.
