Here’s the 411 on Cobra KaiSensei Kim actress Alicia Hannah-Kim.
Netflix Cobra Kai continues the legendary story that began 40 years ago in the iconic 80s film The Karate Kid.
Cobra Kai has experienced massive popularity since its debut in 2018, in part because it has respectfully continued the legacy of the original Karate kid trilogy.
( Cobra Kai Season 6: Release, Cast and Everything We Know )
Meet Alicia Hannah-Kim – Biography Information
Alicia’s acting journey began in Sydney
Born and raised in Sydney, Australia, Alicia Hannah-Kim started acting in her hometown. In an interview with A Book Of magazine, Hannah-Kim was asked how she became an actress:
“It started for me with Sydney Theater School and booking my first job through the school, which led to me getting an agent. I’ve always loved old movies and a lot of dancing and music, but I’m not sure, I never thought of acting as something I could do seriously, I just loved the escapism of it.”
When asked who and what were her biggest inspirations, Alicia Hannah-Kim had a veritable laundry list of influences, including legendary zoologist Jane Goodall and world-class tennis player Serena Williams:
“Honesty and honesty are great. Being in nature. It’s so Pollyanna, but I could fill this page with inspiration because I can find it anywhere. Good design – architecture, clothing, art or just something that works properly. Actors who make interesting choices. Courage. Jane Goodall. A good meal. All to the chef’s table! Jeong Kwan. My parents. SERENA WILLIAMS. IU. I could go on. I’m unapologetic”
Hannah-Kim was also asked about her favorite role during the session. He mentioned the role of Joan of Arc in the George Bernard Shaw production St. Johanna back to theater school:
“I remember doing Saint Joan as a kid in drama school and feeling electrified by her conviction. I think that connection is the thrill of acting…for me anyway…”
Alicia studied Korea during the pandemic
During the COVID-19 lockdowns, Hannah-Kim decided to keep herself busy by learning another language: Korean. He spoke to journalist Jae-Ha Kim in 2022 about his strong desire to develop his skills in speaking it:
“I learned Korean again during the pandemic! It’s to the point where I’m chatty and just so eager to improve. I still take lessons every week. I need more Korean friends, please! I speak some French and so-called restaurant Italian. I am always so impressed by multilingual people.”
Jae-Ha Kim also inquired about Hannah-Kim’s experiences as a child of the diaspora, as her roots are in South Korea, although she grew up in Australia:
“We have family in the Netherlands, Australia, the US and South Korea, so I was always aware of the diversity of the diaspora. I think a lot about my parents’ generation or my mother’s best school friends who now live in England, Canada and Malaysia. My experience growing up was always seeing them connect with their childhood friends who were now scattered around the world after moving and all their different experiences.
Nevertheless, Hannah-Kim uses her Australian status like a badge of honor and points out how “proud and grateful” he is in that relationship:
“I’m really proud and grateful to be Australian. I had your typical Aussie suburban kid life. It’s a great place to grow up – safe, outdoors and multicultural. I went to school with so many different ethnic groups. Diversity was simply normal for me.”
Alicia knew her Cobra Kai role was special during her audition
36-year-old Alicia Hannah-Kin (born July 28, 1987) joined the cast Cobra Kai in his fifth season in a recurring role as the antagonistic Sensei Kim Da-Eun. It is a role from which the actor has been reproduced Cobra KaiThe sixth and final season, set to drop in three parts.
Hannah-Kim, who had previous experience in yoga and Muay Thai, spoke to Deadline about her role, reflecting on the secrecy surrounding the audition process:
“I didn’t even know what I was auditioning for because there was so much secrecy, but her entrance alone was so epic that I knew Kim Da-Eun was someone special. Playing a villain can be delicious, and I’m careful not to fall into a stereotype like I experienced early in my career, and I was lucky that the creators had the ambition to create something real and layered.
Additionally, he jumped on Cobra Kai Season 6 during the interview and shared what he was most excited about in the new episodes, commenting that Sensei Kim’s journey is “wild” throughout:
“I’m very excited because I know the fans have been waiting for this big conclusion to the finale, and that’s why I’m excited that we’re starting it. I know it’s going to be three parts, so everyone’s going to be on this long journey with us to figure out the final season. I’m so excited I really want everyone to see my character’s journey this season because it’s going to be hard for me not to leak spoilers all year.
Alicia wants to be in Mission: Impossible
Hannah-Kim’s gaze is locked on one of Paramount’s most enduring film franchises, An impossible task.
But in addition to Tom Cruise’s introductory series, he would like to work with popular directors such as Steven Spielberg, Kim Won-Seok and ParasiteBong Joo-ho:
“I would like to work for a master director like Spielberg. I would also like to work in Korea and Australia. There is a huge amount of artistic excellence in Korea right now. Director Bong Joon-Ho, of course, and I’m a big fan of director Kim Won-Seok. Can I play a spy in MISSION IMPOSSIBLE please? All. The list is endless and it’s good to dream…”
He would also take the opportunity to appear in another attention-grabbing Netflix series, Squid gameeven if it’s just meant to be “chance to die in series:”
“Are you kidding me? In a heartbeat. I would compete in the real life Squid Game for the chance to die on the show. God, I don’t think I’ve ever been so stressed watching a show. It was amazing. Absolutely brilliant. I’m really looking forward to what director Hwang Dong-hyuk cooks up for season 2. My dream is currently working in Korea.”
Alicia develops her own film projects
Sitting with Grazia magazine, Alicia Hannah-Kim revealed that she has several projects of her own in the works, something she never would have predicted she would end up doing. His film will be in two languages, English and Korean, representing his own heritage:
“Honestly, I didn’t think I would have it. My dream is to work in Korea, so I’m developing a film that will be in English and Korean.
No one rests on their laurels, Hannah-Kim has also published a documentary series. He stated that by working on these various personal projects, he learns a lot about himself:
“Right now I’m pitching a documentary series that I’ve developed, and I’ve also started writing, which has been new to me. I think I am slowly removing all kinds of restrictions that I had placed on myself. Also, one of the most impactful things for me has been realizing that you can do anything. Everything I thought I couldn’t do was probably because I wouldn’t see myself in the media – but it’s changed so much.
He also draws energy from his peers and mentions how “inspired” he is in their creative works and representational power:
“Now when I see my peers producing, writing, directing and acting, I’m so inspired by them, and it fosters that environment of, ‘Oh, we can create, too.’ We can create our own projects. We have a voice. That’s what representation gives you.”
How to follow Alicia online
For those who want to follow Alicia Hannah-Kim’s continuing adventures, she’s on Instagram as @thealiciahannah and X (formerly Twitter) @AliciaHannah.
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