Janet's Photos

"**Janet's Photos**" is the second episode in the first season of *Kim's Convenience*. It first premiered on CBC on October 11, 2016.

## Synopsis

When Janet's photos start getting attention from admirers, Appa tries to prove he's a better photographer. Meanwhile, Jung decides to apply for a promotion at the car rental agency, to the dismay of Kimchee and Umma, though for different reasons. Jung ends up getting the promotion to be Assistant Manager.

## Plot

As Appa finishes up with a customer, Gerald and Semira enter the store to work on a mid-term photography project with Janet. Appa stops them and asks what they think of a picture he took. Semira says that it's nice, and Gerald adds hesitantly that it is professional. Appa asks how much they think he can get from it, and Gerald says maybe more than 20, and Semira says maybe less. Appa, offended, asks to see Semira's pictures. The pictures are shots of naked individuals, and Appa comments that they are all born naked and they all die naked. Semira suggests that if he likes hers, he should check out Gerald's. He flips through Gerald's photos, which are all of himself, in suggestive poses. Gerald says that he couldn't find a model, and Appa says that he should find one, and pants.

Umma and Janet are looking through Janet's photos, which she has received a top mark in class for. Umma calls Appa over to take a look, and Appa tells Janet to celebrate by taking out the garbage. Janet moves to put away the photos, but Umma puts them back, beckoning Appa to come see them again. Appa takes a look at them disapprovingly: there are pictures of old shoes, and a telephone pole. Appa tells here that people like looking at pictures of nice things, and shows her his own cherry tree photo as an example. Janet says that it's very centered, and Appa is offended, saying that Janet thinks her work is better than his. Umma says yes, it's much better, and Appa says art school is a scam, because in real world people like to see beautiful things. Janet leaves to take out the garbage, and Appa tells her to take out the garbage, not to take pictures of garbage. Umma places Janet's photo on the shelf, and when she leaves Appa replaces it with his own photo.

Kimchee and Jung are cleaning a rental car, and Terence comes to work wearing a suit. Kimchee asks Terence what the deal with the suit is, and Jung informs Kimchee that his uncle just died. Kimchee says that isn't true and that Terence is going after the manager job, like an idiot. Jung comments that assistant manager is a good position, and Kimchee dismisses him, saying that backroom workers have it better because they get to keep what they find and Shannon can't watch them too closely. Terence comes back, and Kimchee asks why the interview was so short and if he crashed and burned in there. Jung grimaces, telling him that Terence's uncle died in a fire. Kimchee apologetically calls out his condolences.

At the Toronto Korean East-West Presbyterian Church, Umma is sorting clothes for donation with several other church ladies. Pastor Choi enters the room and observes that Mrs. Park has collected the most clothes until Umma came in. Pastor Choi tries on a hat and asks them how he looks, and Mrs. Lee tells him that he looks very dapper, like Frank Sinatra. One of the other ladies asks Umma how her children are, and she says that Janet is getting top marks at college. Mrs. Lee remarks that it isn't university, and Umma backtracks, saying that OCAD is a university. Mrs. Park asks why it is called Ontario *College* of Art and Design if it's a univeristy, and one of the other ladies interjects, saying that he heard OCAD Is amazing. Umma agrees, saying that you get a very practical university degree. Mrs. Park says that Janet is very brave since it's hard to make a living as a photographer, and rhetorical asks where they would be without their starving artists. One of the other ladies asks if Umma has a son, and Umma replies that she does, and that he works at Handy Car Rentals. Mrs. Park makes a comment about her BMW (presumably she does this often).

Jung comes to Shannon's office, and hands her an updated resume with volunteer experience. Shannon says that she think he'd do a great job because he has wonderful people skills and strong physical presence. She says that she'd be happy to recommend him, but head office will most likely deny him because he doesn't have a high school degree and spent some time in juvie. Jung asks if there is anything he can do, and Shannon suggests that they have a dinner, and Jung asks if they can just talk there. Shannon agrees and says that she will do her best.

Ms. Murray is instructing a student on their photo collage when she stops Janet, inviting her to showcase her photos at the school's open house. She emphasizes that it's rare that a student's work really impresses her and she says Janet's comes really close. Janet remembers that the open house is tomorrow and points that out, and Ms. Murry reveals that she had a dropout which is why Janet has this opportunity. Janet thanks Ms. Murray and leaves, excited.

Appa is writing labels for his photos when a customer comes in. He pretends to be on his phone talking to a prospect buyer for his photos when the phone rings. Appa answers the phone and pretends that Jeanne Beker is on the other line but it is just a male customer asking for the store's hours. Appa hastily hangs up and asks the customer at the check out if he wants to buy a picture. The customer says no and leaves. Another customer comes to check out and Appa asks if she wants to buy the photos. She says no, but asks about Janet's photo on the shelf, and offers 45 dollars for it which Appa agrees to.

Jung tells Kimchee that he sent his application for assistant manager in. Umma comes in, and Kimchee tells Umma that Jung has applied for a new job. Umma says that it's good news, thinking he has applied for something outside the car rental but is disappointed when Jung says it's still at the car rental. Kimchee says that it's the worst job at the job which horrifies Umma. Jung reassures her that assistant manager is a good job, but Umma insists that doctor, judge, or web design are better professions. Kimchee says that they already have good jobs because he found a cake in the back of the car. Jung says that Umma should be happy, and Umma angrily says that she is and takes away the food she brought them.

At the store, a woman is admiring Janet's photo. Appa tells her to take two photos of his but she declines. Janet comes in and the customer says that she really likes her photos. Appa shows Janet the money he made from her photos, which makes her angry because she needed them for school. Appa says that their things are his things and Janet says that her eye and her finger took the photo. Appa asks her who gave her the eye and the finger, and Janet says that God did. Appa concedes, but Janet is still angry that he sold her work. Appa says that Janet owes him for what he and Umma have done for her. Janet yells in frustration and leaves.

Shannon tells Umma that Jung is a delight to work with, but she can't give him a promotion just because she is here to plead his case. Umma says that she doesn't want Shannon to promote Jung because she think he's too good for the car rental. Shannon reminds Umma that Jung has a criminal past and no high school diploma. Umma switches tones and tells Shannon that Jung is a bad seed and she should promote Kimchee instead. Jung enters and Umma gives Shannon four dollars as a bribe and leaves.

Mr. Chin is talking to Appa about his dog Ginger. Appa says that Mr. Chin is missing the point and that Janet is ungrateful in a different way than Ginger. Mr. Chin says that Janet isn't ungrateful, she is just mad. Appa says that Janet is lucky to have him as her father. Mr. Chin says that Appa is jealous of Janet because she takes better photos than her. Appa denies this and tells him that this is why Ginger peed in his slippers.

At their apartment, Kimchee asks Jung if he got the job. Jung says he didn't because he didn't want it. He suggests that they go out for the night. They cheer, and go to get their wallets, and Kimchee says he's a little short on cash. Jung says he is too because he bought a shirt for the interview. Kimchee checks the cupboard and says all they have to eat is an egg. Jung asks why the egg is in the cupboard, and Kimchee says he really hopes that Jung gets the job.

Janet is coming back from her school's open house where Gerald had an exhibit because his father didn't sell all his photos. She is about to go upstairs to bed, and Appa stops her to tell her her photos are good, but could be better. He gives her a second hand tripod which he bought with the money he got from her photos. Janet thanks him, and as Appa is putting them away, takes one of Appa's photos, and says that an anonymous buyer is interested in one. Appa smiles and puts them back up.

At his new Handy Office, Jung places the Appa's photo which Janet gave him on his shelf and the his new assistant manager card on his desk. Kimchee congratulates Jung.

Ms. Lee congratulates Umma on Jung's new promotion, and Mrs. Park says that Umma must finally be so proud of him for once. Umma says that he may one day become Vice President of a big automotive company. Trish says that is impressive, and Umma shows her a photo of Jung, which Trish compliments him as handsome. Trish suggestively points out to her daughter that he is single, and she rolls her eyes, asking her mom to stop trying to set her up. Pastor Choi comes in to thank them for lunch. He takes Mrs. Lee's book and asks her if it's good. She says yes, and leaves with the book. Umma tells Mrs. Lee not to worry because he can tell her how it ends.

## Cast

### Starring

* Paul Sun-Hyung Lee as Appa
* Jean Yoon as Umma
* Andrea Bang as Janet Kim
* Simu Liu as Jung Kim
* Andrew Phung as Arnold "Kimchee" Han
* Nicole Power as Shannon Ross

### Recurring

* John Ng as Mr. Chin
* Ben Beauchemin as Gerald Tremblay
* Getenesh Berhe as Semira
* Hiro Kanagawa as Pastor Choi
* Uni Park as Mrs. Park
* Christina Song as Mrs. Lee
* Sharon Forrester as Trish
* Diana Leblanc as Mary
* Michael Musi as Terence Pepler
* William Webster as Customer
* Rachelle Casseus as First Sale Customer
* Sabrina Grdevich as Ms. Murray
* Louisa Martin as Photo Customer
* Roshel London as Trish's Daugheter