Kim's Convenience

TV review by Melissa Camacho, Common Sense Media
Kim's Convenience Poster Image

Common Sense says

age 14+

Smart, fun, diverse Canadian show addresses social issues.

Netflix Comedy 2016
Rate TV

Parents say

age 12+

Based on 10 reviews

Kids say

age 11+

Based on 17 reviews

Common Sense is a nonprofit organization. Your purchase helps us remain independent and ad-free.
Rate tv

Did we miss something on diversity?

Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by suggesting a diversity update.

A Lot or a Little?

The parents' guide to what's in this TV show.

What Parents Need to Know

Parents need to know that Kim's Convenience is a popular Canadian series that revolves around a Korean Canadian family and uses this premise to address issues like racial profiling, discrimination, and other contemporary social issues. There's some occasional strong language (including a few curse words), and some sexual innuendo. Conversations about getting married and having children are common, and in one episode bare bottoms are visible in an artistic photograph. Beer drinking is visible. This is a great show for families with teens to start conversations about diversity, the immigrant experience, and loving family.

Community Reviews

Miliadz
Miliadz Adult
August 6, 2021
age 15+

WAY Too Much Sexual Content For a Child!

While I totally agree that this show is extremely entertaining, I made the mistake of not checking the rating b/c it was listed as a show you might like if you enjoy Fresh Off the Boat, which we do. Fresh Off the Boat has as too much sexual innuendo that I want my 14-year-old son watching. Too many episodes of Kim's Convenience have sex as one of its main storylines, from the 20-year-old unmarried daughter who accidentally leaves her strip of condoms behind to the parents having sex in aforementioned daughter's friend's bed (you watch this, too; it is not just mentioned). And even when it's not a main part of the storyline, it is mentioned constantly as a part of dialogue. If you're trying to limit the amount of sexual content your child watches, please don't turn this on. We're well aware of how important sex is to storylines anymore and how "everyone" is "doing it," but if you want to limit your child's exposure to these kinds of things before they're ready for them, I highly recommend waiting until they're older. The more they're exposed to it, the easier it is for them to think they're ready for it, even at younger ages.

This title has:

Too much sex
2 people found this helpful.
Amanda H.
Amanda H. Adult
October 22, 2021
age 18+

Misleading reviews

I often check here to make sure there’s no nudity in a show. Didn’t come across anything so assumed it was fine. Season one/Episode two — nude backsides. I get it, it doesn’t bother everyone. But I’d like to know the content before I am surprised by something like that. Heads up.
1 person found this helpful.
See all 10 parent reviews

What's the Story?

Based on Ins Choi's 2011 stage play of the same name, KIM'S CONVENIENCE is a comedy series that centers on the daily life of a Korean Canadian convenience store owner in the diverse city of Toronto, Canada. Mr. Kim (Paul Sun-Hyung Lee) lives above his store with his wife (played by Jean Soon) and their adult daughter, Janet (Andrea Bang), who's an aspiring photographer. Also close by is their estranged son, Jung (Simu Liu), who hasn't spoken to Appa (Korean for "father") since he was 16, but remains close to Umma ("mother") and his sister. The elder Kims work hard to maintain their Christian Korean values but consistently find themselves negotiating their customs and beliefs with the modern Canadian world, especially when it comes to their children, and at times, their customers.

Is It Any Good?

This sharp, well-written series uses humor as a way of commenting on contemporary social issues, ranging from racial profiling and misconceptions about the LGBTQ community to coping with the assimilation of their children. Mr. Kim, as the family patriarch, plays a central part in this, bluntly offering often misguided perspectives. But his approach isn't cruel, and despite his gruff, outspoken ways, he's often a man who is simply unfamiliar with, but sincerely not opposed to, what's happening around him.

While some may find the show somewhat stereotypical (especially when it comes to Appa and Umma's accents), the main characters are not caricatures. Instead, they are well-developed personages that both reflect and challenge multiple facets of the contemporary Korean Canadian experience. The punchlines aren't excessive, either. It's maybe because of this that Kim's Convenience lacks the edginess prevalent in popular U.S. comedies, especially those that address similar themes. Nonetheless, it's both entertaining and thoughtful.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the immigrant experience in Canada vs. in the United States. Are there differences between the way immigrants are received in Canada vs. the United States? In which country is it easier for people from other countries to assimilate? Why?

  • Does Kim's Convenience reinforce generalizations, or does it defy them? If viewers with backgrounds or experiences similar to the show's characters can identify with them or their behavior, does this make it any less stereotypical?

TV Details

Our Editors Recommend

  • Fresh Off the Boat Poster Image

    Fresh Off the Boat

    Fierce memoir about Asian family makes fresh, sweet sitcom.

    age 12+
  • Crazy Rich Asians Poster Image

    Crazy Rich Asians

    Messages, role models stand out in culture-clash romcom.

    age 13+
  • Black-ish Poster Image

    Black-ish

    Race is tackled gently in fresh family friendly sitcom.

    age 11+

Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.

See how we rate