Competition, a word that means a rivalry for supremacy, is something that can generally be found in Hollywood. It’s no secret that the television business is a dog eat dog world, and while some actors and actresses can find themselves lost in the ongoing war that ensues to land a coveted role, others simply rise to the occasion.
Let’s take Daniel Dae Kim for example.
Ever since my pal Linda helped get me into ABC’s Lost back in 2004, I was always intrigued by the quiet Korean dude on the island, the one that couldn’t speak a bit of English, yet was intimidating by merely lifting an eyebrow. That’s a dude that seemed to have it all figured out. To be honest, I’d never even heard of who Kim was. A quick trip to Google changed that, of course. Soon, I learned that he had been in a variety of different TV shows ranging from Beverly Hills, 90210 to Seinfeld, CSI and even 24. As a matter of fact, I think I remember him from Spider-Man 2. Great movie. I digress.
The fact of the matter is that Kim has been around for a minute, and it’s obvious that he’s carving a name for himself in Hollywood. Just check out his latest gig — portraying Chin Ho Kelly on CBS’s reboot of Hawaii Five-0 currently averaging over 10 million viewers. Not a bad job, right?
So, why isn’t Kim a bigger star?
He’s certainly got the talent. He’s convincible as an actor. One icy glance from him would make me crap my pants. Perchance that’s because he graduated from NYU’s esteemed acting program. Plus he’s got a smile that some women may mortgage a house for. What gives? I’m lost … just like the show that made him recognizable.
If someone is as charming and talented as Kim is then I feel they deserve a bit more. I mean, it only makes sense, right? Being on a hit show is nice, but some fans have actually been complaining that Kim doesn’t do as much as they’d like. Still, on the bright side, at least the producers of Hawaii Five-O were smart enough to employ him. Besides, I have a theory as to why Kim hasn’t been in heavier roles.
It’s jealousy!
It is an ugly emotion, isn’t it? That has to be it. Not that I can blame Kim’s competition. Perhaps they too can see Kim’s flawless potential hence the reason he hasn’t been in bigger roles. I can certainly understand. I wrote about my envy of Donald Glover a few weeks back. His bottomless talent makes me sick … and happy … but mostly sick. I joke. I kid. However, maybe it’s the same with producers when it comes to Kim. Maybe it’s envy.
I don’t know. I don’t work in Los Angeles. However, what I do know is that I want to see more of Kim in the near future. I think he’s a pretty cool dude. He may play a detective solving crimes on TV, but the real crime is that he’s not as big as I had hoped.
Now, perhaps that’s worth calling Five-0 about!
Clacked by Jaylen Christie 
on Apr 03, 2012 @ 12:40 EST5EDT
Another really thought provoking article! I hope he achieves more success, too!
I first saw him in “Angel”, where he had more personality than he’s been allowed to have so far on “Hawaii Five-O”. (On “Lost” he was a bit handicapped by having to speak in Korean for most of the show’s run, and being in a cast of over a dozen main characters.)
On “Hawaii Five-O” he’s the least developed character of the four leads. It seems like he’s there more to “look Hawaiian” and be another detective on the team when they need one. He gets “older cousin” and “saving the family honor” plots from time to time, and he now has a love interest/wife. But what would really develop his personality is having some of those one-on-one chats with the Danny character–it’s the only time when the lead character, McGarrett, shows any personality at all.
*POST AUTHOR*
Thanks for commenting, ScottH! I appreciate that. Well, with the show being renewed for season three, one can only hope that Kim will have more to do. A lot of fans seem to be voicing their opinion. I certainly think that Kim is a talented star. It’s a shame that he’s the least developed. Perchance he’ll get a chat with Danny soon.
He’s a huge star in my house. My stepkids went as McGarrett & Chin Ho last Halloween.
*POST AUTHOR*
That’s awesome, Kelly! lol
Perhaps I missed something… This clacking in color, and questioning why Kim is not a bigger star – is there something you are implying here?
*POST AUTHOR*
Hey, bsgfan2003! What would I be implying exactly? There’s no hidden message in this particular column. This was actually rather light to be honest. I just feel that Daniel Dae Kim is awesome, and that I’d like to see him in more stuff. I said everything that I felt. If I were implying anything then I would have said it in what I wrote. I hope that answers your question. :-)
I just noticed that he’ll be playing a recurring character in one of my new favorite shows, Legend of Korra. *EXCITED*
Asians are one of the fastest growing minorities in the US, but still largely invisible in Hollywood. I can only think of one lead Asian character series, in Nikita. Here’s hoping someone like Ang Lee will develop a show with HBO or AMC.
I continue to enjoy your articles each week. They are very informative. I wish Kim much success in his acting career.
I agree with you I think Daniel is a very good actor.