This Gilmore Girls character had the best redemption arc– until Season 7

Gilmore Girls had their fair share of controlling and oppressive mothers, as evident with the characters of Emily Gilmore and Mrs. Kim.

While Emily initially had a fractured relationship with her daughter Lorelai, Mrs. Kim was controlling and judgmental towards her daughter Lane because of her conservative Korean roots and strict Christian values.

While her daughter wanted to embrace the American lifestyle and mix with her peers, Mrs. Kim kept a close eye on her. She abhorred her daughter's socialising with boys, her passion for music, and everything 'American'.

However, as seasons progressed, Mrs. Kim saw great transformation and started accepting her daughter for who she is, but Lane's pregnancy storyline in season 7 completely ruined Mrs. Kim's redemption arc in the show.

More on Mrs. Kim in Gilmore Girls in our story.

Mrs. Kim's character saw a drastic change in Gilmore Girls till Season 6

While Mrs. Kim remains true to her cultural identity and fits perfectly into the Asian mom stereotype in Gilmore Girls, her character undergoes a drastic change in the latter part of Season 4 after she kicks Lane out of her house.

Since distance makes the heart grow fonder, Mrs. Kim realises that her love for Lane is stronger than her cultural identity and rigidity, and she welcomes her back. While she doesn't magically accept her as a musician or her friendship with boys, she tries to accept her daughter's dream.

Her character undergoes a significant transformation when she organizes her daughter's band Hep Alien's first tour, utilizing her connections, and also secures a gig that will make them money. Her active participation in her daughter's dreams suggests that she was steering towards change for the better in Gilmore Girls.

Mrs. Kim realises her true potential in Lane's Wedding in season 6, where she shines as the best version of her character. This sequence also marked how the mother and daughter have come a long way and have begun to accept each other as they are.

While Lane accepts a traditional church wedding to avoid hurting her mother's sentiments, Mrs. Kim happily allows her daughter an after-wedding party with drinks and dancing. Drinking on your wedding day might not sit right with the religious Mrs. Kim, but she showcases great change by accepting her daughter's wishes.

Lane's pregnancy storyline in Gilmore Girls Season 7 ruined Mrs. Kim's redemption arc

While Mrs. Kim had almost redeemed herself from a nagging and controlling mother to a more forgiving and accepting one till Gilmore Girls Season 6, Lane's pregnancy storyline ruined it.

Lane was shown to be pregnant with Zach's twins in season 7, and Mrs. Kim once again channeled her judgmental and controlling behavior towards her daughter. Her nagging towards Lane about her food and habits during pregnancy made all her changes redundant, and she was back to her season 1 ways in no time.

Her religious and cultural conformity makes a comeback when she demands that Lane also raise her children adhering to the same religion Mrs. Kim did with her. She practically blackmails Lane, threatening not to attend her baby shower if her demands are not met, rendering all her progress through the seasons useless.

While Mrs. Kim had the chance at the best redemption arc in Gilmore Girls (which she partially achieved), Lane's pregnancy storyline in the final season completely ruins it.

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