9 Quick Questions for Daniel Dae Kim

Accomplished actor-producer is a creative tour de force

Gayle Jo Carter,

AARP

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Published September 14, 2022

Yuri Hasegawa/Redux

Daniel Dae Kim’s formidable résumé includes roles in the iconic show Lost, Broadway’s The King and I and the reboot of Hawaii Five-O. The South Korean-born actor also voices the character of David in AMC+’s first hour-long animated primetime drama, Pantheon. And he’s a creative force behind the scenes as founder and CEO of 3AD, a film and television production company that produces ABC’s hit show The Good Doctor.

When you’re not working, what do you do to unwind?

I happen to be in Vancouver [British Columbia] in the middle of a glorious summer [directing an episode of The Good Doctor] so I’m taking a lot of time to walk along the water line. It's just so beautiful here. I will exercise. I’ll go run. I’ll go play golf. I’ll just try and find a place that's meditative and I can reset for the week ahead.

What’s the best thing about being a voice actor for an animated project?

I like the freedom that they afford a performer. You’re free from the limitations that sometimes can be placed upon you because of your appearance — whether you’re old or young, thin or heavier or whatever race you are. In this medium, it’s your voice that does all the communication and tells the story.

You went to college with plans to become a lawyer. What’s your favorite legal drama?

I loved L.A. Law. I thought that was an amazing show. I remember being able to sing the theme song. I just loved the writing. I was a big fan.

Being stuck on an island on Lost didn't dissuade you from island living?

I’m still living in Hawaii, so I guess not. Lost brought me there; Hawaii Five-O kept me there. It was one of the main reasons why I did Hawaii Five-O. I had a young family at the time, and I wanted to keep them in a place that they loved and I loved and where they could keep their same friends at school and have a continuity of childhood that I think is really important.

Daniel Dae Kim plays Jin-Soo Kwon on the TV show "Lost"

Daniel Dae Kim was in more than 100 episodes of the TV show "Lost" from 2004 to 2010.

Mario Perez/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images

At one point, you were part owner of a burger place. What’s your favorite topping?

I really love kimchi on my burger. It was a topping that we offered at my restaurant. It was actually a pretty big hit in Hawaii. I guess it’s a little bit of my Korean flavor coming out.

You and 'The Rock' — Dwayne Johnson — went to the same high school in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. What else do you have in common?

He's much more muscular than I am. He's taller than I am. He's probably me — just better in every way.

You appeared on Seinfeld early on in your career. What was that experience like?

I had seen every episode. So when I got the offer for the audition, even though it was a very small role, I didn't hesitate. It was one of the last episodes of the series. I was a little starstruck, I have to say, because I walked into the studio and the stage and there was the set of Jerry’s apartment, and I just thought of all the amazing things that happened in that studio. He had real boxes of cereal on the shelf, and that first day of shooting, I walked in and he was on the set eating a bowl of cereal in his fake apartment.

Daniel Dae Kim was the voice of David in "Pantheon" - Season 1, Episode 1

Daniel Dae Kim is the voice of David in the animated TV series “Pantheon” on AMC +.

Titmouse Inc/AMC

Do you like to go to bed early or stay up late?

I’m definitely a night owl. I get a second wind right around midnight. Sometimes that’s challenging when we have early calls on set the next day, but if left to my own devices, I'm up late and getting up a little later.

You recently turned 54. Thoughts on aging?

I think a lot about the saying, “Youth is wasted on the young.” I have a greater appreciation of my health. I have a greater appreciation of the wisdom I've gained over the years, and I feel like those of us who kind of regret growing older miss out on the fact that there is so much to be said for the knowledge that’s gained through the life that we’ve had.

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Gayle Jo Carter is a former entertainment editor at USA WEEKEND, who during her 30-year reporting and editing career, has worked at USA TODAY, Voice of America and Feature Story News. When not interviewing high-profile people, she’s teaching reformer Pilates classes and doing her best to raise two empathetic, curious, healthy young people to adulthood.