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Daniel Dae Kim’s career boasts an impressive array of roles across TV, film, and video games, but he’s particularly known for two key television roles, Jin-Soo Kwon inLostand Chin Ho Kelly in CBS’sHawaii Five-0. He joined the cast ofHawaii Five-0when the show premiered in 2010, quickly becoming a fan favorite for his portrayal of a resourceful detective with a complex backstory.
As a vital member of the Five-0 task force, Kim’s character was involved in tackling high-stakes cases in the beautiful yet dangerous backdrop of Hawaii. However, his abrupt departure after Season 7 left fans puzzled and curious about the reasons behind his exit. This sudden departure left viewers wondering why the actor, who seemed like a perfect fit for the series, decided to leave.
Daniel Dae Kim’s Chin Ho Kelly’s journey onHawaii Five-0
Daniel Dae Kim’s Chin Ho Kelly was no ordinary detective, he was a tech-savvy, resourceful member of theHawaii Five-0team with deep roots in the Hawaiian community. His journey on the show began after his fall from grace as a Honolulu police officer due to a scandal involving his family.
When his old friend Steve McGarrett played by Alex O’Loughlin returned to Hawaii to avenge his father’s murder, Chin found an opportunity to re-enter law enforcement, joining McGarrett’s newly formed Five-0 task force. Over seven seasons, Chin helped the team tackle high-stakes cases across Hawaii, even venturing as far as Mexico.
Despite his expertise in cracking cases, Chin’s personal life was riddled with challenges. Early in the show, he married, only to lose his wife shortly afterward. Later, he found a long-lost niece and took her into his care after rescuing her from kidnappers. At the start of Season 8, fans learned that Chin had moved to San Francisco to lead a new Five-0 task force. Daniel Dae Kim’s time on the show came to an abrupt end as a result.
The real reason why Daniel Dae Kim walked away from the show
Although many actors leave long-running shows for various reasons,Daniel Dae Kim’s departure fromHawaii Five-0wasn’t entirely on good terms. His exit stemmed from disagreements during contract negotiations. Around the time he was considering new projects, includingThe Good Doctor, a medical drama he co-created, Kim entered talks with CBS for a new contract. His main request was pay parity with his white co-stars Alex O’Loughlin and Scott Caan, who portrayed leading characters Steve McGarrett and Danny Williams.
The pay disparity between white and Asian actors onHawaii Five-0sparked a wider conversation within Hollywood about equal pay and diversity. Fans and industry insiders voiced support for Kim’s stance, emphasizing the need for fair compensation for actors of all backgrounds. The fact that Kim, a highly famous Asian American actor, left the show due to pay inequality put a spotlight on CBS and raised questions about how networks value diversity within their shows.
In the years since his departure, Kim has continued to grow his career, taking on various roles both in front of and behind the camera. His production company, 3AD, has producedThe Good Doctor, a successful medical drama on ABC, allowing him to expand his influence in Hollywood.
The pay gap that drove Daniel Dae Kim’s difficult decision
The two actors, Alex O’Loughlin and Scott Caan, according toVariety, were earning around $200,000 per episode. However, CBS’s final offer to Kim and his co-star Grace Park who played Kono Kalakaua fell short of their white counterparts’ earnings by approximately 10-15 percent. Kim and Park, as major cast members and well-known Asian actors, believed they deserved equal pay, given their significant roles and contribution to the show’s success.
According toThe Hollywood Reporter, CBS eventually proposed what it described as a “significant salary increase” for Daniel Dae Kim and Grace Park, reportedly narrowing the gap to within 2 percent of what Alex O’Loughlin and Scott Caan were earning. However, sources close to Kim revealed that the difference remained huge, especially considering Kim’s long-standing commitment toHawaii Five-0over the years.
Additionally, CBS offered Kim a broader deal for his production company, 3AD, as a gesture to secure his involvement. Ultimately, however, Kim felt his contributions more worthy, and when CBS wouldn’t meet his request for equal pay, he made the difficult decision to leave.
“I don’t think you’d call him a stereotype by the end”: Avatar Star Daniel Dae Kim Was Worried ‘Lost’ Was Exploiting an Asian Stereotype He Didn’t Like Initially
Shortly after news of Kim and Park’s exit broke, Kim addressed the situation in a public statement on Facebook.
By now many of you have heard the news, and I’m sad to say it is true. I will not be returning to Hawaii Five-0 when production starts next week,
he wrote, according toLooper.Although disappointed, Kim expressed gratitude toward the cast, crew, and fans, describing his farewell as a bittersweet experience. He added that it is possible to appreciate the experience, respect his colleagues, and still hold firmly to a strong sense of self-worth.
After leaving the series, what has Daniel Dae Kim been up to?
After his controversial exit fromHawaii Five-0, Daniel Dae Kim has built an impressive career with diverse roles on television. He’s made appearances on popular shows likeThe Good DoctorandM.D.and took on bigger roles, such as trauma surgeon Dr. Cassian Shin onNew Amsterdamand FBI agent Matthew Ryker inThe Hot Zone. He also played Facilitator Doug in the quirky showDramaworld.
Kim’s career isn’t limited to live-action roles; he’s also made a name for himself in voice acting. In Disney’s animated filmRaya and the Last Dragon, he voiced Benja, the wise and courageous father of the main character. He also brought Micah to life inShe-Ra and the Princesses of Poweron Netflix and voiced General Aiden Park inMech Cadets. InStar Wars Visions: Volume II, he took on the role of Bichan.
“I looked to our politicians”: Daniel Dae Kim’s Inspiration to Play Tyrant Fire Lord Ozai Makes it Even More Compelling to Wait for Avatar: The Last Airbender Season 2
Kim also voiced David Kim in AMC’s animated seriesPantheon, where his character makes a surprising comeback after being thought dead. Among his many successful roles, Daniel Dae Kim has recently drawn significant attention for his portrayal of Fire Lord Ozai in the live-action adaptation ofAvatar: The Last Airbenderwhich is currently streaming on Netflix.
Sohini Mukherjee
Content Writer
Articles Published :331
Sohini Mukherjee is an Evergreen writer at FandomWire, specializing in pop culture, all things sitcoms, and, of course, Harry Potter. She has a soft spot for shows like Modern Family and pretty much any movie that knows how to tell a good story. You’ll find her name on listicles and long form articles that feel more like fun conversations than stiff articles. Having published over 300 articles, Sohini always brings a unique perspective and a deep understanding of the stories she covers.
