Following a sold-out hit run at Park Theatre earlier this year, Kim’s Convenience is transferring to Riverside Studios. Adam Blanshay Productions, in association with Park Theatre, are behind Ins Choi’s award-winning play, which inspired the CBC and Netflix’s global hit TV comedy adaptation of the same name. Kim's Convenience was Ins’ debut play, winning the Best New Play award and the Patron's Pick at the 2011 Toronto Fringe festival before touring Canada. It was then adapted into a TV series of the same name on the CBC and Netflix for 5 seasons.
The hit production welcomes the return of Jennifer Kim (Allegiance) as Janet, Namju Go as Umma and Miles Mitchell (Salomè, Dido Queen of Carthage and Much Ado About Nothing, RSC; King Lear, Talawa) who will switch between a variety of comedy characters. Newly cast Edward Wu (The Diplomat, Netflix) plays prodigal son Jung. Ins Choi, the playwright, actor and screenwriter, will reprise his star role as storekeeper Mr Kim (Appa), the hardworking patriarch of the family.
Ahead of the run at Riverside Studios we caught up with cast member Edward Wu to learn more.
Can you tell us about Kim's Convenience and your character Jung?
Kim's Convenience tells of a Korean immigrant family navigating life in Canada. It explores how the adult children relate to their aging parents, all while everyone's trying to find a balance between the two cultures they straddle. I play Jung, the black sheep of the family. He left home at 16, and now he's finding his place in the world and figuring out what happiness means to him.
What attracted you to this project?
This story hits very close to home. Growing up in a Chinese immigrant household in America, I totally get the struggle. Watching Appa and Umma in the show, it's like seeing my own parents and all they went through to give us the best life they could make for us. What really drew me in was how Ins Choi captured the immigrant experience – it's authentic, it's raw, but it's also incredibly funny.
How does the stage version compare to the Netflix show?
It's quite different, actually. Our stage version takes place over just one day, but a lot happens. You see everyone go through their own little journey, changing right before your eyes. Being on stage also allows us to really amp up both the dramatic and comedic elements. It’s much more immediate than TV. There's an energy you can only get from live performance.
How do you prepare yourself for a show run?
Playing Jung is like running an emotional marathon every night. You've got to be physically and mentally fit to cross that finish line, so I focus heavily on keeping my body in good shape, especially my spine. I do this whole mobility routine, working from my hips all the way up to my neck. It keeps me flexible for Jung's emotional scenes and helps me stay grounded for the entire run. Mentally, I spend time before each show reconnecting with Jung's backstory and motivations. It’s all about using the physical to inspires the emotional and vice versa.
Kim's Convenience tells of a Korean immigrant family navigating life in Canada. It explores how the adult children relate to their aging parents, all while everyone's trying to find a balance between the two cultures they straddle. I play Jung, the black sheep of the family. He left home at 16, and now he's finding his place in the world and figuring out what happiness means to him.
What attracted you to this project?
This story hits very close to home. Growing up in a Chinese immigrant household in America, I totally get the struggle. Watching Appa and Umma in the show, it's like seeing my own parents and all they went through to give us the best life they could make for us. What really drew me in was how Ins Choi captured the immigrant experience – it's authentic, it's raw, but it's also incredibly funny.
How does the stage version compare to the Netflix show?
It's quite different, actually. Our stage version takes place over just one day, but a lot happens. You see everyone go through their own little journey, changing right before your eyes. Being on stage also allows us to really amp up both the dramatic and comedic elements. It’s much more immediate than TV. There's an energy you can only get from live performance.
How do you prepare yourself for a show run?
Playing Jung is like running an emotional marathon every night. You've got to be physically and mentally fit to cross that finish line, so I focus heavily on keeping my body in good shape, especially my spine. I do this whole mobility routine, working from my hips all the way up to my neck. It keeps me flexible for Jung's emotional scenes and helps me stay grounded for the entire run. Mentally, I spend time before each show reconnecting with Jung's backstory and motivations. It’s all about using the physical to inspires the emotional and vice versa.
Where did you performing career begin and when did you know it was what you wanted to do?
I’ve performed in some shape or form since I was 6. I was in choirs, school musicals, plays. I also loved speech and debate. There was always this performative element during my upbringing. The transition to professional performing happened right before Covid hit. Quitting a corporate management job opened the door to exploring music and singing more seriously. I ended up performing in loads of different venues with different crowds and different set lists. That, in hindsight, has given me thicker skin which definitely helps me get up on stage for Kim’s.
How do you use your own experiences to shape Jung's character?
Here’s a fun fact – Jung and I are both the same age and we're in that same phase of figuring out adult life. I've had my share of unexpected turns and certainly have made my fair share of mistakes, but I've also made some crazy choices that worked out incredibly well. All of that – the successes, the setbacks – goes into how I portray Jung. His struggle to find his place? I've been there, and I think that really helps me bring authenticity to the role.
What's your go-to for unwinding after the show?
Music is my main outlet. I front a rock band called SAGE with some incredibly talented musicians. All our compositions and lyrics are original, which is a whole different creative process. Sometimes I'll find an interesting spot, sit down with my notebook, and just write whatever comes to mind. It often turns into lyrics later. It's my way of processing life, and it keeps my creative juices flowing for both music and acting.
What keeps you inspired?
I love the human body as a physical medium for expression. It could be an avant movement piece or just figures intertwined in a painting. Seeing bodies move, dance, interact with each other inspire me to explore my own physiological limits. I'm always pushing myself to explore what my body and voice can do, and that feeds directly into my acting and music. It's like this ongoing cycle of observing, experimenting, and creating.
Where can people catch the show?
We're performing at Riverside Studios until 26thOctober. If you're in London and want to spend an evening with the Kim family, come check us out!
Tickets for Kim’s Convenience are available from https://riversidestudios.co.uk/see-and-do/kims-convenience-120980/
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