The beloved hometown play that became a global cultural sensation - KIM’S CONVENIENCE – returns home to Soulpepper in January almost 15 years since its debut. Directed by Soulpepper Theatre Artistic Director Weyni Mengesha – who directed the inaugural 2012 production - and starring playwright Ins Choi, who is stepping into the role of Appa, KIM’S CONVENIENCE runs January 30th to March 2nd at Soulpepper’s Baillie Theatre.

Joining Ins Choi on stage for this benchmark production are Esther Chung as Umma, Ryan Jinn as Jung, Brandon McKnight as Rich, Alex, Mr. Lee, and Mike, and Kelly Seo as Janet. The Toronto run will be the launchpad for a North American tour, beginning with a scheduled run at San Francisco's American Conservatory in the fall.

The most successful Canadian play of the last decade, KIM’S CONVENIENCE immediately resonated with Torontonians in 2012, becoming the most popular show in Soulpepper’s history. After leaving the Soulpepper stage, KIM’S went on to become an internationally successful TV show on the CBC and Netflix, with a legion of dedicated fans – known as Kimbits – all over the world.

“When Kim’s Convenience premiered in 2012, we couldn’t have imagined it becoming the global phenomenon it is today,” shares Soulpepper Artistic Director Weyni Mengesha. “The heartfelt story of the Kim family has proven time and time again to have captured something so honest and specific, yet profoundly universal, that it has continued to captivate audiences around the world.

Now, almost 15 years later, its return to Soulpepper feels like a homecoming - a chance to celebrate its global impact, while inviting a new generation to discover its heart, humour, and relevance in its original staged form. I can’t wait for Toronto to experience this story again in the place where it all began."

“I’m thrilled to bring the show back to Soulpepper and back to Toronto, where it all began” said playwright Ins Choi. “Nearly 15 years ago, I started this journey playing Jung at the Toronto Fringe Festival, and now stepping into the role of Appa feels like a truly full-circle moment. I’m deeply grateful for this experience and excited to share the play with a new generation of audiences.”

"Collaborating with Soulpepper, Ins Choi, and Weyni Mengesha on Kim’s Convenience at home base is a dream,” adds producer Adam Blanshay. “This powerful story of legacy, cultural identity, and generational connection resonates deeply with me as a fellow Canadian and the descendant of immigrants. It’s a narrative that reflects the experiences of so many families, blending humor, heart, and humanity into something uniquely Canadian yet universally relatable."

And American Conservatory Theater Artistic Director Pam MacKinnon shares, “We are so happy to partner with Soulpepper, bringing this Toronto story to A.C.T. and the San Francisco Bay Area in the Fall of 2025. I grew up in the Annex and attended Jesse Ketchum Elementary before my family moved to the States, so this play feels like a personal homecoming. I am so taken by Ins Choi’s humor and heart. How wonderful to be held by this family and get to laugh together at the theater."

KIM’S CONVENIENCE is the story of Mr. Kim, a first-generation Korean immigrant, father of two, and the proud proprietor of Kim’s Convenience for the past 30 years. After building his empire from nothing, the stubborn Mr. Kim grapples with his changing Toronto neighbourhood, and the growing chasm between him and his second-generation children. In this heartwarming and hilarious story, audiences follow the Kim family as they tackle their challenging past and look to face an unknown future.

Playwright Ins Choi, who steps into the title character after originating the role of Jung in 2012, calls the play his “love letter to his parents and to all first-generation immigrants who call Canada their home.” 

Joining Mengesha on the creative team are set designer Joanna Yu (‘da Kink in My Hair, Three Sisters), costume designer Ming Wong (The Master Plan, Three Sisters), lighting designer Wen-Ling Liao (Chinglish – ACT; In the Heights- Center Repertory Theatre), sound designer Fan Zhang (At The Wedding, The Far Country, Chinglish – ACT; In the Heights - Center Repertory Theatre), and projection designer Nicole Eun-Ju Bell (White Muscle Daddy, Perfect Bowl of Pho).

Tickets are on sale now. For more information visit: www.soulpepper.ca.

Photo: Ins Choi as Appa. © 2024 Dahlia Katz.