Simu Liu clarifies his comments about the surprise cancellation of Kim's Convenience. Later this year, Liu will become a global star when he joins the Marvel Cinematic Universe as the titular character in Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. Before that, though, he was best known for playing wayward son Jung on the hit Canadian sitcom Kim's Convenience. The fan favorite series won over audiences with its portrayal of a well-rounded Asian family, and Liu was committed to remaining with it even after Shang-Chi. However, when creators Ins Choi and Kevin White chose to depart Kim's Convenience after season 5, the series was cancelled.
Not long after, Liu began to speak candidly about his feelings regarding Kim's Convenience's end. He initially said on social media that fans deserved a better conclusion before opening up much more in a lengthy Facebook post earlier this month. Liu slammed the lack of Asian representation in the writers' room, the "horsepoop" rate at which the cast was paid, and that Kim's Convenience's lone white character Shannon (Nicole Power) is receiving a spin-off while the show's Asian cast is let go. Liu's post set off a chain reaction on the internet as people both criticized and supported him for speaking out.
During a keynote at the Banff World Media Festival (via THR), Liu addressed his post and clarified his reasoning for speaking out. Though some might have believed Liu had negative intentions, but the actor insisted, "I’m not out to cancel anyone, to end anybody’s career by singling any one person out." He went on to say he did not mean for his post to be "incendiary," but that it merely came from a place that desires better East Asian onscreen representation. Liu stated:
“People have been telling me to suck it up and be grateful for my entire career, and certainly during the entire run of the show. I can see how I may have come off as entitled and spoiled. But I built a brand and a career on being outspoken.”
Liu previously received support from his Kim's Convenience co-star Jean Yoon, who similarly decried the lack of Asian representation within the writers' room. According to Yoon, this led to racist storylines that caused the cast to band together and express their concerns. Though Liu has received some criticism for speaking out against Kim's Convenience, the show that gave him a larger platform, it's quite clear the cast had genuine concerns about the direction things were going in.
As Liu pointed out in his new comments, he's built a career on speaking out against negative depictions. For example, he mocked Disney's live-action Mulan last year for its stereotypical examination of Chinese culture. That Liu would then take a stand about a project he's personally involved in isn't surprising, and he has every right to. He didn't wish to "cancel" anyone or cause trouble; he merely wanted to draw attention to what went on behind the scenes. While it isn't likely to change the fate of Kim's Convenience, it's still meaningful that he chose to say something instead of staying silent.
Source: THR