Andrea Bang (born 2 May 1989) is a Canadian actress and screenwriter from Burnaby, British Columbia. She is best known for playing Janet Kim in the CBC comedy Kim's Convenience, for which she was nominated three times at the Canadian Screen Awards. She has appeared in A Million Little Things, Fresh and Running with Violet.

Early life and education

Bang was born in Burnaby, British Columbia to Korean immigrant parents. Her sister, Diana Bang, is also an actress and writer. Bang attended Burnaby North Secondary School and was in the chorus in a school production of Bye Bye Birdie.

Bang graduated in 2012 with a degree in psychology from University of British Columbia, while also taking acting lessons. In 2017, she told the Vancouver Sun:

For the longest time, I kept my interest in acting a secret. Minus a select few, no one really knew. I played around with so many different non-acting career paths. Finally, one day I said 'screw it.' I got an agent and a job that allowed me to audition—and the rest is history.

Bang's parents, who had immigrated from Korea, initially found it "distressing" that Andrea and her sister, Diana Bang, had chosen to pursue acting as a career, but have since become fully supportive.

Career

In 2015, Bang (Summer Award) at the Asians on Film Festival for her debut movie performance as Francesca in the short film Playdate. In 2016, she landed the main role of Janet Kim in the CBC comedy Kim's Convenience alongside Paul Sun-Hyung Lee, Jean Yoon, Simu Liu and Andrew Phung.

In 2020, Bang received a nomination at the Canadian Screen Awards for Best Supporting Performance in a Web Program or Series for her role as Samantha in Running with Violet.

Filmography

YearTitleRoleNote
2015PlaydateFran (Francesca)Short film
2016–2021Kim's ConvenienceJanet KimMain cast
2016Networking with JamesEricaShort film
Sunnyhearts Community CentreLucilleWeb series
Bon Bon FireSinclaire SuzukiShort film
Convos with my 2-Year-OldGirl Guide #2Web series
2017Android EmployedMay
The Prodigal DadTeresa
Lucy DiesLucyShort film
Adventures in Public SchoolAutumn
2018Even the Devil Swiped RightJenShort film
Camp Death III in 2D!Angela Park
2018The DateGirl on DateShort film
2018Karaoke MamasShort film, director
2019LuceStephanie Kim
2019Hudson and RexGwen "Sixie" ChiuRex Machine, S2, Ep11
2019Running with VioletSamanthaWeb series
2021–2023A Million Little ThingsClaudia13 episodes
2021A Small FortuneSusan Crowe
2022FreshPenny
2022Stay the NightGrace
2023Dear DavidEvelyn
2023FloatWaverly
2025The Chinatown DinerMulaPost-Production

Writing

YearTitleNotes
2011Schnitzel or SpaetzleShort film
2015Playdate
2017Lucy Dies
2018Karaoke Mamas
2019Idols Never Die
In Loving Memory

Awards and nominations

YearAwardCategoryWorkResultRef
2015Asians on Film FestivalBest Actress (Summer Award)PlaydateWon
2017Leo AwardsBest Performance in a Music, Comedy or Variety Program or SeriesKim's ConvenienceNominated
2018Won
2019Nominated
2020Won
2020Best Screenwriting in a Short Drama (Shared with: Jerome Yoo)Idols Never DieNominated
2021Best Performance in a Music, Comedy or Variety Program or SeriesKim's ConvenienceNominated
2022Won
2017Canadian Screen AwardsBest Actress in a Continuing Leading Comedic RoleKim's ConvenienceNominated
2018Best Lead Actress in a ComedyNominated
2020Best Supporting Performance, Web Program or SeriesRunning with VioletNominated
2022Best Lead Actress in a ComedyKim's ConvenienceNominated

External links