Daniel Dae Kim
Born in Busan, South Korea and raised in New York and Pennsylvania, Daniel discovered acting while a student at Haverford College.
Though briefly considering a career as an attorney, he decided to follow his true passion and moved to New York City, where he began his work on stage. There he performed in classics such as “Romeo and Juliet, ” Chekhov’s “Ivanov,” and Ibsen’s “A Doll’s House,” as well as working with an improv comedy troupe. Despite his early success, however, he decided to deepen his dedication to the craft by studying at the Graduate Acting program at New York University, where he earned a Master’s Degree in Fine Arts.
Through the diversity of his roles on stage and screen, Daniel Dae Kim continues to expand our perceptions of the Asian American man. In characters ranging from the King of Siam, a Shakespearean hero, a social worker for the Chicago needy, to a counter terrorist agent, his work has consistently proven to transcend the historical barriers of race and stereotype.
Daniel’s most recent work on ABC’s “Lost,” is no exception. As Jin Soo Kwon, a Korean businessman and reluctant enforcer for his father-in-law, his character transformed from an overprotective “traditional” husband to a man who re-learns how to live and love. His portrayal of this multi-faceted character signaled a breakthrough for primetime network television, and has helped make Lost a worldwide hit since its debut in 2004.