Andrew Phung says he's 'filled with a lot of love' as Kim's Convenience comes to an end

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Andrew Phung says he's trying not to dwell on the fact that Kim's Convenience is ending. Instead, he says he wants to celebrate the impact it's had on people Canada and around the world.

The producers of the hit CBC comedy series announced on Monday that the show's fifth season, which is currently airing, will be its last. That's a full season shorter than what was planned in early 2020. 

After co-creators Ins Choi and Kevin White said they were moving on to other projects, the show's producers said in a statement that "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." 

Phung plays Arnold Han, better known as Kimchee, in the series. He called the news "bittersweet." Here is part of his conversation with As It Happens host Carol Off. 

How are you feeling now that the news is out that Kim's Convenience is cancelled?

You know what? I'm filled with a lot of love. You know, obviously there's disappointment and it's a very bittersweet feeling. But we've been hit with so much love. And seeing how much this show means to people has been really nice.

Your co-star, Simu Liu, he played Jung, the rebellious son of Mr. Kim. He tweeted yesterday, he said: "I'm heartbroken. I feel like my journey with Jung was cut short. I feel like you, the fans, deserved better." Do you share that with him?

Simu's obviously really hurt. And I think all of us have varying levels of how hurt we are. I think he's really disappointed, and I think it's just because we cared so much. 

For us, this was such an important show because of its content and because it was an opportunity for BIPOC [Black, Indigenous and people of colour] performers to be in front of the camera. And so I share his disappointment.

But I'm also not dwelling on the fact that it's over. I'm looking at the fact that we got to make a hit show. Like, I was doing improv comedy, you know, and to have the opportunity to perform on a national scale and around the world has been incredible. So, you know, I share his disappointment, but I'm really reflecting on the good times we've had here.

You played the role of Kimchee, who was a friend of Jung, and often got into trouble with him. Just describe for people who maybe haven't seen the show ... the role of Kimchee?

Kimchee started out as the best friend. And then, you know, through the writers, he was able to grow into a part of the world. And he really built a relationship with Appa. He looked at Appa as the father he never had, and Appa looked at him as the son he never had because he lost his son Jung, who ran away from home. 

And Kimchee grew up from this slacker to a guy, a young person just trying to find the best life. A young person trying to do good at a job, trying to get that promotion, trying to make money, trying to find love. And so it was a joy because I got to play someone I see — you know, my cousin, my best friend, people's brothers. And I think the audience saw that. They saw that in him. 

So he was a joy to play. And I never played him as just the best friend. I played him as a genius. The show was all about him in his mind, right? And it was an immense pleasure to see him grow from where he was in Season 1 to where he is now. 

When you talk about Appa, this is Mr. Kim [played by Paul Sun-Hyung Lee]. It's his dad, and quite a character. He's been compared to Archie Bunker and King of Kensington combined. Doesn't do justice to Appa, does it? 

Those comparisons are accurate and somehow don't do justice, because Appa is his own man. Appa is our father and grandfather, and sometimes our mothers and grandmothers, you know? 

And Appa really embodies that kind of old-school Canadian thinking. You know, he's so proud of being an immigrant. He's so proud of the country that has taken him as one of their own. And so we see him in his day-to-day. And what I love about Appa is that he's non-stop quotes and theories and ideas. And it really is a throwback to just having conversations with our parents and the things that make them so quirky and unique.

You're talking about how important the show was to so many people and all the reaction, all the love, you're feeling from around the world. And we should point out this show has been around the world and will continue to be, I'm sure, replayed in many places. But what are you hearing from people? 

Just people reflecting on their favourite moments, how they relate to it, how they connect to it, and what the show did for them emotionally.

A lot of people found this show in COVID. They found the show in quarantine. And they fell in love because it's a show they needed. It's that truly genuine Canadian heart and story that they could fall in love with. It's a slice of life, you know, because right now doing something as simple as going to your convenience store is something we're second guessing. And so this is a show where you see the world happen in the best way possible.

To have people think so highly of the show means everything. And it means we did something right. And that's truly the Canadian success story. This Canadian story is relatable around the world. And what a gift and what a joy. So I'm so proud of what everyone has done in making this show.

People are disappointed that they will not get to see in this show the son, Jung, reconcile with his father. We're in the middle of the fifth season. I don't know if that's going to happen. What what can we expect? What will get resolved in the remaining episodes?

It's unfortunate that we won't make a series finale the way we'd want to, but I'm actually really proud of how this season plays out. And I think there there is some reconciliation in a lot of ways.

And I will say that the season finale, which is now the series finale, has one of the most wonderful scenes I had the privilege of filming, and it has the entire cast together.

So at the end of the day, you know, we do all get together. And it bums me to say this, but we get to be together one last time.

Written by Sheena Goodyear. Interview produced by Chloe Shantz-Hilkes. Q&A has been edited for length and clarity.