Having “Discovered ‘Kim’s Convenience’ after T’was Canceled I ‘Learned’ Korean”

The deluge of web-based and traditional news stories should make it easy to maintain a habit of creative writing practice. There’s always something to observe or comments on as a way to keep the practice fresh

–– But much of that “news” shows a voice that’s by-default always pissed off about something. The mindset is a result of some bitter aggrieved people reacting to cultural “incidents” which are more moll hills than mountains of substance. The common fodder for comment bores me, is divisive, or insults others’ wits. To find something that deserves a comment is a chore.

When a refreshing DVD from my local Minneapolis library pleased me, this almost deserved opinion space. “No one” bothers to watch DVDs. 

“No one” ventures to a local library to seek video entertainment. They can just stream something! –– Except that, being ever curious, and err toward that, which nourishes and develops me, few streaming choices offer stories of substance with fully-drawn and intelligent characters. I remember going to Hollywood Video circa 1990s to browse oft in-vain for films of substance. With these stores closed or gone digital. 

Characters of Appa, Umma, Janet and Jung are great. not prone to stereotypes about martial arts, stoicism or broken English.

When I find that a novel or interesting-looking video is mediocre at best, I can’t and won’t get into it! It insults my intelligence, and wastes my attention, time and optimism. I visit my local library. Why? Because every 30th visit I find some novel or independent film DVD. Netflix doesn’t boast that in my experience.

Being a humanities geek who’s oft behind in my reading and creative writing goals, DVD and TV shows are supposed to come last. This late August I “discovered” a splendid sitcom, “Kim’s Convenience,” from Canada. 

With my “luck,” of course it’s been canceled already!

“Kim’s Convenience” was stunning in its refreshingness! I know nothing about Korean culture, and little of Canadian culture (I’ve seen a few police procedural shows; my knowledge remain mostly shallow).

When your standards for comment fodder are daunting, and information content errs toward click bait, that creative writing practice is difficult to maintain.