Alicia Hannah-Kim, who plays Kim Da-Eun in Netflix’s Cobra Kai, has gone public with her concern over an ugly incident involving her co-star Martin Kove, who bit her arm during a fan convention earlier this month.
Hannah-Kim issued a tearful Instagram video Sunday in which she accepted fans as a show of their support and verified what many had only read in the headlines: this happened, and it was a serious and very eerie event.
It was an important case, she said. Nobody wants to get attacked in the workplace—or anywhere, as a matter of fact. I do not believe anybody who would think that this is normal, deserved, or acceptable.”
The Summer Con
It happened on June 23 at a VIP meet-and-greet at Summer Con in Puyallup, Washington. Hannah-Kim told police that when she went to Kove to say hello, she had tapped him gently on the shoulder, according to a police report obtained by Variety. In reaction, he is said to have grabbed her arm and bit her so hard that it almost caused her to bleed.
Although she refused to file charges, Hannah-Kim asked that the police place a report on record, saying she wanted something in place in case such an incident happened again.
Kove was ushered out of the convention by security soon after the incident and not seen to participate in any other public event since.
Hannah-Kim: Communicating With a Voice
Hannah-Kim claimed in her Instagram video that she made that decision because she wanted to help herself and be an example to other people, rather than to shame Kove.
I simply believe that when you are faced with something like this, it is good to fight your corner, she said. It is a great decision to make.
She further added that this one reprehensible act cannot typify the show and the entire cast.
I want to say further, this is not my overall impression of the show. I believe that everyone can recognize that it is a very good vibe and cast. And all the rest is wonderful.”
She concluded her message with a liking to Cobra Kai fans:
I do not want this to take away your appreciation of the show. Shake the shutter as much as you like, love upon it.”
Martin Kove Apologizes to Public
On the following day when the incident became headlines, 77-year-old Martin Kove made a formal apology through his crisis management team at Jaffe & Co.
The statement continued, saying, I am very sorry and I apologize about what I did in the case of Alicia. I was just joking around at the time but I went overboard and I do not have any excuse to my actions.”
Kove also said he has always respected Hannah-Kim as a “high professional and talented co-worker,” and he takes the full responsibility about what happened.
I am sorry I did it… and now once more I say I am sorry to her and her husband. I will learn my lesson and it will never repeat.”
Although Kove explained the bite as a bad joke, fans and professionals have been quick to indicate that non-consensual physical contact of any nature whether fun or not is wrong, particularly in work place.
Backlash and Industry Reactions
The incident has given rise to a lot of online debate regarding the concept of boundaries, professionalism, and responsibility in Hollywood fan culture.
Numerous fans were surprised how such an incident was possible in a high-profile and public place.
So to go to work, and get bitten by a colleague, it is out of the question, wrote one fan on X (formerly Twitter).
Well done, Alicia, telling them. That must have been painful and embarrassing, said another.
Others admired Hannah-Kim on her ability to adopt a respectful and constructive tone in her approach to the issue in the media.
Graceful Alicia Hannah-Kim: A Rising Star
Alicia Hannah-Kim made her Cobra Kai debut in Season 5 as Kim Da-Eun, the strict and steely martial arts expert hired to harden up the Cobra Kai dojo. Her performance was soon adopted by fans, due to its power and subtlety.
Among other series Hannah-Kim has been featured in Minx, Grey Anatomy and S.W.A.T. and is regarded as a promising actress in drama and action.
Her choice to manage the affair in the most transparent and professional manner has only confirmed how many fans already admire her.
Next Steps and Legacy of Martin Kove
Kove, the actor known to play John Kreese, the legendary villain in the Karate Kid series, has played a pivotal role in the revival of Cobra Kai since Season 1. A man of tough-guy images, Kove has frequently played his larger-than-life image in his public persona.
Although he is currently under fire regarding his actions at Summer Con, it remains unclear whether this event will affect his performance in further seasons of Cobra Kai or his position in the industry at all.
Neither Netflix nor the producers of the show have commented on the situation so far.
What about Ours of Cobra Kai?
As Cobra Kai enters its last season, supporters of the show hope that the event will not take away from what has been a triumphant conclusion to one of streaming platforms most acclaimed reboots.
As the cast completes the filming and promotional activities are underway, all eyes will be on whether there will be any further statement or any disciplinary action taken by the network or by the studio.
Final Thoughts
Living in an era when workplace safety and respect are being redefined in all industries, the fact that Alicia Hannah-Kim is turning to her voice to tell her story sends an additional message that even an action taken in jest can be crossing a boundary, and no person, despite position or legacy, is unaccountable.
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