I wanted to fit in which meant not being different. I spent a large majority of my childhood pushing away my parents' heritage. 'As a kid, I always sort of thought that Korea was like a third world country. I would go with him in the mornings to help prep for the day by sweeping, mopping, and turning on the deep fat fryers.'Īnother important time for Lee was a three-week trip to Seoul, South Korea, when he was in grade six a visit that reshaped his world view and connected him to his heritage.

'Around when I was in grade two, we lived across the street from the fish and chips restaurant my dad owned.

Lee remembers that his fondest memories as a young child was working with his parents at their businesses, forming a bond with that would become 'as close as you can get.'

They moved a number of times during Lee's childhood before settling in Calgary, Alberta. Lee was born in Daejeon, South Korea and his family immigrated to Canada when he was three-months old. “When I first read the role of Appa, I understood where he was coming from because that was my dad and my uncle and my grandfather. After I read the first draft of the play, I used to joke with Ins by saying, 'Have you been spying on my family?'' Childhood memories and eye-opening experiences 'When I first read the role of Appa, I understood where he was coming from because that was my dad and my uncle and my grandfather. Working for years as a journeyman actor in Canada, including appearances in Train 48, Degrassi: The Next Generation and Shoot the Messenger, the acclaim Lee has enjoyed as part of Kim's Convenience even led to an appearance on the Disney+ Star Wars series The Mandalorian.īut it all started in 2011, when Lee first joined the cast of the original Kim's Convenience stage play as Appa, who he would reprise for the screen adaptation for CBC. WATCH KIM'S CONVENIENCE ONLINE NOW ON CBC GEM.Kim's Convenience is a certified TV phenomenon, with fans around the world, cast members taking roles in Star Wars & Marvel Cinematic Universe properties, multiple awards & rave reviews, and a run of hilarious episodes that can't be beat.Īs the patriarch of the Kim family on Kim's Convenience, Paul Sun-Hyung Lee is a highly visible star of the series, now in its fifth season on CBC, and has earned two Canadian Screen Awards for his efforts.

The Bigger They Are by Kim Alan