Daniel Dae Kim is speaking out. Recently, the Hawaii Five-0 star explained why he left the CBS TV show after seven seasons, Deadline reports.
As reported earlier, both Kim and co-star Grace Park will not return for season eight of Hawaii Five-0. The two 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 explained that he left Hawaii Five-0 because he and CBS were unable to reach an agreement over the terms of his new contract:
By now many of you have heard the news, and I’m sad to say it is true. I will not be returning to Hawaii Five-0 when production starts next week. Though I made myself available to come back, CBS and I weren’t able to agree to terms on a new contract, so I made the difficult choice not to continue.
As an Asian American actor, I know first-hand how difficult it is to find opportunities at all, let alone play a well developed, three dimensional character like Chin Ho. I will miss him sincerely. What made him even more special is that he was a representative of a place my family and I so dearly love. It has been nothing short of an honor to be able to showcase the beauty and people of Hawaii every week, and I couldn’t be prouder to call these islands home. To my local community, mahalo nui loa.”
Kim is currently serving as an executive producer on his new ABC TV show The Good Doctor.
What do you think? Are you a fan of Hawaii Five-0? Will you watch without Kim and Park?
Yes I will going to watch new and all the old episode’s just as soon as Netflix brings them back
So, it’s the new year and while I am still watching, I have to say the show has taken a huge hit with the departures of both Kim and Parks. The studio made a HUGE mistake by letting them go. I’m not sure if their replacements are just not a good fit or perhaps it’s the writers who have dropped the ball but the show is definitely not as good as it was last season. I have been a die hard fan of this show since the pilot aired; it has been, hands down, my favorite show on television. This… Read more »
IT WAS A BIG MISTAKE TO REPLACE THESE TWO GREAT ACTORS, THEY WERE AN INTRIGUAL PART OF THE ACTING TEAM. I DO NOT WATCH THE PROGRAM NOW
I used to love Hawaii Five-0 and anxiously awaited each show. My 2 favorite characters were Chin & Kono. They added a natural warmth and I loved learning about the Hawaiian culture from them. The new shows come off as fake, with Danno & Steve attempting to change their personalities too quickly. I have stopped watching the new series. It doesn’t hold any interest, anymore.
I was on Oahu for the series premier on Waikiki beach. I’ve watched it ever since. I feel like I lost 2 friends. I think I’m done watching.
This will be the last show that I watch. When the two principle Hawaiian actors are eliminated, what does that say about the ethics those producing the show?
I don’t like the show as much without Kim and Parks. Also, why did the doctor(medical examiner) leave?
although I also like the other 2 actors , they are really asian americans playing hawaiians
I agree with Leah’s comments. The two of them are like the Hawaii 5-0’s family.
They will be missed. I have watched a couple of episodes and don’t seem as interested as prior shows. Maybe I’m missing the old characters and can’t get used to the new.
Very disappointed that Daniel Day Kim and Grace Park on not on anymore. Will not be watching it without them! Get them back!!!!’
To me, Grace Park will always represent a hidden Cylon. I don’t know if I can ever trust her characters again.
I think that they should of just came to the agreement for kim and grace because they are just as important in the show as well as alex and scott why shouldn’t they get the same amount of money or equal contracts as them. Hawaii 50 will not be the same without them it will have a empty filling like something is missing.
Why does everything need to made about race, sex or whatever??? Let’s just pay everyone the same, right? The actor that’s in two episodes should get the same pay, right? The janitor same pay. Everyone, right? Wrong. That’s not the way it works. They agreed to their pay in their last contract. They don’t want to accept the new pay, go get a new job. Will them leaving the show make it worse, yeah BUT the production company feels they are expendable. You want change let’s have all the highly paid actors in Hollywood agree to taking less money to… Read more »
Yes I am a big fan of the show and I will continue to watch. However, I do agree with “Kono” and “Ho Kelly’s” stand on the disparity of the pay. They have pretty much been equal players in the series since it’s beginning. They are in each weekly episode for just about the same amount of time as “McGarrett” and “Danny” so why shouldn’t they be paid “pretty darn close” to the same thing!! Hate to see them leave over this but I understand.