I Love It When You Call Me Big Appa

Okay, unpopular opinion alert! I actually… love it when you call me Big Appa. There, I said it.

I know, I know. "Appa" means dad. It's a Korean term of endearment. And "Big"? Well, that implies… size. And sometimes, ego. But hear me out! It's not about any of that.

It all started innocently enough. My kids, bless their hearts, got hooked on this show, Kim's Convenience. You know, the one with the lovable Mr. Kim, aka… Appa. They started calling me Appa jokingly. At first, I was like, "Huh?"

But then it stuck. And then… it evolved. Into Big Appa.

Why I Secretly Love It

For starters, it's just plain fun. It’s silly. It makes me smile. Life’s too short to take everything so seriously. Big Appa adds a dash of ridiculousness to my day. And who doesn’t need that?

Plus, it's a sign of affection. My kids (and even my wife now!) are saying, "We care about you. We think you're awesome, even if you are a bit…dorky." I'll take it!

There's a certain playful power to it too. I mean, Mr. Kim from Kim's Convenience is a strong, opinionated character. Not always right, but always… Appa. Maybe, just maybe, a little bit of that "Appa" energy is rubbing off on me. I can only hope!

I guess it’s also about embracing the dad bod. The "Big" part? Yeah, maybe there’s a little truth to that. But it’s not about being physically big. It's about being big in spirit. Big in love. Big in… snack consumption. Okay, maybe a little physically big too.

It's not about being intimidating or bossy. It's about being a protector, a provider, a source of comfort (and bad jokes). And if a little "Big" helps me embody that, then bring on the Big Appa nicknames!

The Potential Downsides (That I Ignore)

Of course, there are potential downsides. My teenage daughter might be slightly embarrassed when her friends are around. My wife might roll her eyes when I start quoting Mr. Kim. And my neighbors? Well, they probably think I'm completely bonkers.

But honestly, I don’t care. The joy it brings outweighs the awkwardness. The connection it fosters is worth more than any fleeting embarrassment. I mean, come on, who can resist a good Big Appa hug?

Think about it. What’s your equivalent of Big Appa? That silly nickname, that weird inside joke, that goofy gesture that makes you feel loved and connected? Embrace it! Don’t be afraid to be a little ridiculous. Life is too short to be cool all the time.

So next time you see me, don’t be surprised if you hear my kids (or my wife) yell, "Hey Big Appa!" Just know that I’m smiling inside (and probably outside too). And maybe, just maybe, I’ll even offer you a piece of my… uh… "dad bod." Kidding! Mostly.

Calling All Big Appas (and Appas-in-Training)

I'm sure I'm not alone in my love for the Big Appa title. There have to be other dads out there who secretly (or not-so-secretly) enjoy being called something a little… unconventional.

So, to all the Big Appas out there: keep being awesome. Keep being goofy. Keep being the best dads you can be. And never underestimate the power of a silly nickname to bring a family closer together.

And to everyone else: maybe consider adopting a Big Appa in your life. You might be surprised at how much joy it brings. Just be prepared for the occasional bad joke and the inevitable "dad dancing." You've been warned! 😉

Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go binge-watch Kim's Convenience and practice my Mr. Kim impression. Don’t judge. 😜

“Okay, see you later!” – Probably Big Appa (me)