Lane Kim was far more than Rory's best friend in Gilmore Girls. She was an independent badass who danced to the beat of her own drum. Unlike the tight-knit Rory and Lorelai, Lane had a completely different relationship with her mother and with those around her. She wasn't a brainiac like Rory but she was intelligent and focused in her own way.
Fans of the series are torn on Lane's ending (dropping out of college, settling for Zach, and getting pregnant) but they can't ignore that Lane Kim is truly the unsung hero of the beloved series.
The Leader Of Men
Lane Kim really was the brains of her band, and it was because of her that Hep Alien did as well as it did. With the help of Mrs. Kim, Lane was able to get the band a touring van, and without her, they wouldn't have a drummer. While the band was on a mini-tour, Lane was in charge of finances and merchandise and was able to save the band over $9,000. She offered so much more than just her beats.
She Never Gave Up On Her Passion
Lane's dedication and passion for music is fun to watch on-screen. She starts off as a high school student who hid her CDs under floorboards to rocking out with her own band and performing live shows.
Music has always been that one consistent thing for Lane that let her break out of her shell. Due to the tight constraints at home, it was her only sense of relief. In A Year in the Life, Lane's band is still going strong. It's wonderful to see that Lane is still doing what she loves despite all the changes in her life.
She Has It All
When viewers first met Lane Kim, she was living a suppressed life. Growing up in a traditional Korean household with religious parents, Lane didn't have the luxury of making decisions for herself. Her mother chose her clothes, made her work at her antique shop, and even chose the colleges Lane could apply to (which happened to be female only).
As time went on, Lane found her voice and was able to have it all. She was able to date and marry Zack, live on her own, work where she wanted, and have babies, all while continuing her music. Unlike Rory who never seemed quite fulfilled in her quest for happiness, Lane finally had it all by A Year in the Life.
She Stayed True To Herself
While in her mother's household, Lane was living a double life. When she left the house she was wearing mom-approved clothes, but as soon as she got to school, she took off her sweater and wore rock band tees. It wasn't easy for Lane, but telling her mom early on how she felt would have been worse than the struggle of being two different people.
Eventually, Lane's double life caught up to her and she had to choose who she wanted to be. Did she want to be the good, religious girl her mom thought she was, or did she want to be who she really was? At the end of it all, Lane chose to stay true to herself, which is commendable.
Her Upbringing Was Relatable
As a young woman growing up in a strict household where she had to obey her family's rules and expectations, Lane was relatable to countless viewers in the same boat. Fans of Gilmore Girls took to Reddit to praise Lane's character because she represented so many people who were rarely seen on TV. Lane was constantly stuck between finding her own path and following the path her "mama" set up for her. Lorelai and Rory had an unbreakable bond but it was Lane and Mrs. Kim that many viewers resonated with.
She's Far More Outgoing Than Rory
Lane doesn't get enough credit on Gilmore Girls. She acts as Rory's best friend and trusty sidekick but she's her own woman full of life and color. Both women were devastated to leave each other when Rory transferred to Chilton but Lane carried on at school.
The only friend Rory hung out with at Chilton was Paris, but she still has a hard time convincing herself that Paris is her friend. Lane, on the other hand, joined the cheerleading squad and the marching band. She did extracurricular activities to meet people and stay involved. Rory rarely put herself out there.
She Is A Modern-Day Lorelai
There is a direct correlation between Lorelai and Lane. In essence, Lorelai is the older version of Lane. Both women grew up in a strict household with overbearing parents and they both ran away and had children young. However, both Lorelai and Lane came out on top. Lane deserves more credit for her independence.
She Always Speaks Her Truth
It took time for Lane to speak her mind. She has always followed her inner compass and knew how she felt but she had a hard time explaining those feelings due to fear of being rejected. It took years but Lane finally spoke her truth to her mom. She confronted Kyon when she learned that she was living in her old room. Lane also told Rory that she was focusing too much on Dean and losing her as a friend. And she told Zack how she felt regardless of the awkwardness that could have transpired from living together.
She's Confident Beyond Belief
Lane may act worrisome or nervous but she always dives into something when she wants to. She's confident beyond belief and knows what she wants. Remember when she told Zack how she felt? Or how about the time she confronted Sophie after seeing her and Zack together? And let's not forget when she touched Rich Bloomenfeld's hair! Lane Kim is a woman who goes after what she wants.
And Strong Enough For The Whole Town
Just like Lorelai and Rory, Lane is a beloved resident of Stars Hollow. She worked at Luke's Diner to support her growing family and she knew everyone that came through the door. The entire town gathered for Lane's baby shower, which proved that she was a welcomed member of society. There isn't anything someone wouldn't do for Lane if she needed help. However, Lane doesn't need help — she's strong all on her own. If there's one thing Mrs. Kim taught her daughter, it was to stand tall and be strong.