Honourable senators, as a proud Canadian of Korean descent, eldest daughter to pioneering immigrants, the late Lee Sung Kim and the late Kye Soon Kim, née Kwon, I’m honoured to speak about other Asian Canadians and their contributions to the beautiful mosaic and colourful fabric of Canadian society during this important Asian Heritage Month.

There are heartwarming and successful immigrant stories like that of pioneer Mr. Kyu Tae Kim, the original appa, or dad, of the award-winning play written by Ins Choi that became the hit sitcom “Kim’s Convenience.” The real Mr. Kim owned the convenience store long before it became the main set of the show beloved by fans across Canada and around the world.

Born in Sangju, South Korea, Mr. Kim was only an infant when the Korean War broke out and his family fled to safety by foot. He was told that his grandmother had him bundled and bound to her back, as many other mothers and grandmothers would have done with their babies and grandbabies, and was lucky to have survived.

Kyu Kim and his family immigrated to Canada, landing in Toronto, Ontario, in 1974 with only $400 in his pocket. Mr. Kim did a number of odd jobs before his family was able to purchase what is now known as the set of “Kim’s Convenience.”

Just like in the show, living upstairs with a newborn and toddler, the Kims worked tirelessly, barely ceasing in their efforts. They were driven by determination and passion to build a better life for their children and would-be grandchildren, Marcus and Dominic Chow, Grandpa Kim’s present-day pride and joy.

Mr. Kim eventually sold Kim’s Convenience and continued to pursue more opportunities that took him and his family to the West Coast. Again, many odd jobs, countless hours of toil through blood, sweat and tears, he became a successful restaurateur and property manager and developer. His first commercial investment project sparked his current journey in 2001, when he led a small group of investors in purchasing what is now known as Hanin Village Mall on North Road in Burnaby and Coquitlam, B.C. This strip mall was over 70% vacant at the time of purchase, but under Mr. Kim’s great management within two years the entire Hanin Village Mall was fully leased and became the impetus for what is now known as the heart of Koreatown in B.C.’s Lower Mainland. Since this first project, Kyu Kim and his group are working toward delivering much-needed retail office and community space in the heart of Koreatown.

Honourable senators, the original appa, Kye Tae Kim’s immigrant story of success and perseverance is still being written, and it’s an important story during Asian Heritage Month and for the annals of Canadian history to be added to the many stories of Asian Canadians throughout our nation’s history.