Daniel Dae Kim

Daniel Dae Kim, a Korean-American actor, producer, and advocate, is recognized for his influential roles in television and film, along with his efforts to enhance representation for Asian Americans in media. Born in Busan, South Korea, he immigrated to the United States with his family at the age of two, growing up in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. Kim developed his love for acting at Haverford College, where he majored in theater and political science. He further refined his acting skills by attaining a Master of Fine Arts from New York University's Graduate Acting Program.

In the early stages of his career, Kim made numerous television appearances, including roles on "ER," "24," and "Angel." His breakthrough was realized with the role of Jin-Soo Kwon on ABC's "Lost," where his in-depth performance earned him critical acclaim, a Screen Actors Guild Award for Best Ensemble in 2006, and an AZN Asian Excellence Award, a Multicultural Prism Award, and a Vanguard Award from the Korean American Coalition. Kim furthered his profile with a starring role as Chin Ho Kelly on CBS's "Hawaii Five-0." He also made his directorial debut with the "Hawaii Five-0" season five episode "Kuka'awale". His film appearances include "Hellboy," and he voiced characters in animated features like Disney's "Raya and the Last Dragon" and Netflix's "Kpop Demon Hunters."

In 2013, Kim founded 3AD, a production company devoted to creating content that highlights underrepresented voices. This company's first major success was producing ABC’s "The Good Doctor," an adaptation of a South Korean series, in which Kim also served as an executive producer and guest-starred as Dr. Jackson Han, the chief of surgery, during its second season. In 2024, Kim made his Broadway debut in David Henry Hwang’s "Yellow Face," and because of his outstanding performance, he earned a Tony Award nomination for Best Actor in a Play—the first for an Asian American in that category. Kim has also been active in theater, notably performing as The King in a revival of "The King and I" at Royal Albert Hall in 2009 and at Lincoln Center in 2016, which won him the Broadway Beacon Award. He also portrayed Francis in the Los Angeles production of "Peter Pan Goes Wrong" in 2023.

Kim's significance extends beyond his artistic endeavors, as he is an active advocate for Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities. He has testified before Congress to support the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act and was appointed to President Biden's Advisory Commission on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders. He is set to present and executive produce a new CNN travel series called "K-Everything," which explores the global impact of Korean pop culture. Kim's activism, coupled with his commitment to authentic storytelling, has made him a leader in the movement for equity and inclusion in Hollywood and beyond. He has been recognized by the Asian Hall of Fame for his contributions in various disciplines, and in 2025, Time Magazine named him as one of the world's 100 most influential people.