What's so funny about Kim's Convenience?

Are you feeling estranged?

Tue 4 Jul 2023

Sam Chan

Topics

Jesus' Life and Work

Being Human

Relationships and Family

My family is re-watching the TV comedy Kim's Convenience. We enjoy watching Appa—the dad in the family.

Especially the way he says, "Okay, see you."

Like all sitcom family dads, Appa is the bumbling, goofball dad. But at the same, there's a hole in his heart. He longs to be reconciled with his estranged adult son, Jung.

What's the point of saying "Okay, see you" if his son isn't seeing him?

This is why Kim's Convenience has universal appeal—even if you're not Korean-Canadian. We resonate with the ache in Appa's heart. But where does this ache come from?

We can only know what it's like to be estranged if we too, have been estranged. And that's exactly it.

The Bible says we're all estranged from God—the original Appa—who loves us.

But that's why God sent His Son Jesus to reconcile us. In Jesus, we cry out "Appa" to God our Heavenly Father.

And God cries out, "Okay, see you" to us.

With

Sam Chan

Dr. Sam Chan is one of Third Space's national communicators. He is a cultural analyst, theologian, public speaker, author, medical doctor, and karaoke buddy. Sam was born in Hong Kong, grew up and lives in Australia, studied medicine at the University of Sydney, and did his PhD in Chicago, USA. He is a published author of five books.