Kim’s Convenience Prepares to Shutter Its Doors

Producers call a sudden end to an acclaimed Canadian comedy favourite

No store stays open forever—not even those that put “24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year” right on their sign—so it was only a matter of time before Kim’s Convenience shut its doors. Still, it’s been so successful, both in Canada and internationally, that the idea of the show wrapping its run at the end of this currently airing fifth season is a little hard to wrap one’s head around… especially since it had already been renewed for season six.

Word of the series’ impending conclusion came courtesy of a statement from the producers, who promptly threw the creators (Ins Choi and Kevin White) under the bus: “Authenticity of storytelling is at the centre of the success of Kim’s Convenience. At the end of production on season five, 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.”

You have to admit there’s some pretty classy phrasing to be found in those three sentences, but also some serious shade being thrown.

Naturally, some of the cast members have been voicing their disappointment at the sitcom’s unexpected end, such as Simu Liu, who—despite acknowledging his pride in what they’d accomplished over the course of five seasons—also said, “I’m heartbroken. I feel like my journey with Jung was cut short. I feel like you, the fans, deserved better.” Instead, all the fans are getting is a series finale, set to air next Tuesday, April 13th.

Kim’s Convenience airs Tuesdays at 8 p.m. on CBC