We’ve heard Daniel Dae Kim’s explanation for leaving Hawaii Five-0, but what does CBS have to say? Recently, both the network and executive producer Peter Lenkov addressed the exit of Kim and co-star Grace Park, Deadline reports.
As reported earlier, the two veteran stars are leaving the reboot series after seven seasons. Kim and Park played played Chin Ho Kelly and Kono Kalakaua, respectively, on the police procedural reboot. The cast also includes Alex O’Loughlin, Scott Caan, Chi McBride, Masi Oka, and Jorge Garcia.
On Facebook, Kim revealed that he left Hawaii Five-0 because he and CBS were unable to reach a new contract agreement. Rumor has it that Kim and Park were seeking salary parity with their co-stars, Caan and O’Loughlin. Now, CBS has released a statement saying both Kim and Park were offered salary increases but decided to move on:
Daniel and Grace have been important and valued members of Hawaii Five-0 for seven seasons. We did not want to lose them and tried very hard to keep them with offers for large and significant salary increases. While we could not reach an agreement, we part ways with tremendous respect for their talents on screen, as well as their roles as ambassadors for the show off screen, and with hopes to work with them again in the near future.”
Showrunner Peter Lenkove echoed this statement, saying the two stars “were getting unprecedented raises, but in the end they chose to move on.”
What do you think? Do you watch Hawaii Five-0? Do you think Park and Kim were right to leave the show?
I understand their plight about salary increases which should happen accordingly as contracts are renewed. I will miss them both because they are an intricate part of the show, but H5O characters McGarrett and Dano are it’s principle characters. That’s the way the original one was developed as well. Everyone else is mainly supporting actors. I wish these two would come back, if not I may drop watching it entirely because Kono was very easy on my eyes! Besides it’s unfair to the fans if these two dropped us like a hot potato, we didn’t do anything to them. Blame… Read more »
The show is a good show and it will not be the same with out them.I hope they return they will be missed.
The show will not be the same with out them, and i wonder how long it will take before the show starts to lose viewers and lose ratings.When we get a good show something always knocks it off the air .
This IS about pay equity, particularly royalties for syndication. They have been just as important as Caan and O’Loughlin since the first episode. I don’t want much TV, and I’m leaning strongly against continuing to watch Hawaii Five-O if Park and Kim are not brought back.
This statement has nothing to do with race. Please put that part out of the equation for a second. Alex O’Loughlin and Scott Caan are the stars of the show. Sadly, Grace Park and Daniel Dae Kim are considered co-stars or supporting players. They are not the main leads, even though they have been with the show since day one. For instance, if they were up for Emmys, Alex would be listed as “lead actor for a drama series,” while Daniel would always be showcased as “supporting actor.” This is how the casting is structure currently. Now, there have been… Read more »
You nailed it exactly! Nothing to do with race at all! They are supporting actors and their agents should have done better for them during contract time. I am going to miss them both especially Kono, so easy on the eyes!
Please replace Grace Park with more hotties like her!
Sad to see them go, particularly Grace Park, as a strong female presence. This may be the beginning of the end of the show. It definitely doesn’t feel Hawaiian anymore.
One of my fave shows. Will really miss the 2 of them. They helped make the team work especially being Hawaiian. I will continue to watch but it won’t be quite the same! I don’t know why CBS couldn’t meet the salary they asked for but they were dumb not to. The 2 of them helped make the show successful!!
Isn’t hot Grace a Korean?
Yes and very beautiful as well.
I love this show and will miss them both. With all the salary parity issues going on, I’m not sure I believe CBS. I’m sure they offered them more money, but they would never fork out the money to put them on par salary wise with the others. I think it’s a shame either way, and don’t know if the show will be the same without them. Seems CBS is turning all of its shows inside out nd heading in new directions, this will make it easier for them to do it to this show.
Yes and no. More money for all as well during their contract renewals. But they are not the lead or main actors, McGarrett and Dano Williams are the two main. The rest are like supporting actors which will have lesser salaries.
I love the show and am sad they are both leaving but if what CBS says is true, then they chose to leave what can you do???