Go Away With … Alicia Hannah-Kim

By Jae-Ha Kim
Chicago Tribune
September 6, 2022

Alicia Hannah-Kim makes her “Cobra Kai” debut as a powerful sensei in the popular Netflix series. “My character felt like a step in a new direction – not only for representing women, but Asian women,” said Hannah-Kim, who hails from Sydney, Australia. “The creators were serious about crafting a character who was nuanced and had a rich backstory. It felt very supportive and collaborative, so I am excited to see how that resonates with the audience. Kim Da-Eun is the first female sensei to enter into the Cobra Kai universe. She’s formidable, intimidating and a bit of a shock to everyone she encounters in the Valley. Sensei Kim definitely subscribes to the ‘no mercy’ creed of [the] Cobra Kai [dojo].” 

Q: What kind of travel partner would Dae-Eun be?
A: I think she’d be a terrible travel partner because everything would be so rigid and high pressure and I feel like spontaneity, which is a travel necessity, is not Da-Eun’s forte. Everything would be first class though, so there’s that.

Q: What was it like growing up as a diaspora child in Australia?
A: We have family in Holland, Australia, the United States and South Korea, so I was always aware of the diversity of the diaspora. I think a lot about my parent’s generation or my mum’s best friends from school who are now based in England, Canada and Malaysia. My experience growing up was always watching them connect with their childhood friends who were now scattered across the world after immigrating and all their different experiences. I am really proud and grateful to be Australian. I had your typical Aussie suburban kid life. It’s a great place to grow up – safe, outdoorsy and multicultural. I went to school with so many different ethnicities. Diversity for me was simply normalcy.

Q: Did you feel you’d have to move away from home for an Asian country to get more opportunities as an actor?
A: I went to drama school in Australia and had worked there a bit, but the roles on offer were scarce and stereotypical. I started to get auditions from my agent for projects in America and it opened my eyes to a world with bigger possibilities. I wasn’t exposed to watching a lot of Korean content or Asian content growing up in Australia, so I didn’t even imagine a world of pursuing acting in Asia. Now it’s my dream to work in Korea! I am so awed by and proud of Korean entertainment.

Q: What is your favorite vacation destination?
A: I always have the best time in Rome. Eat, walk, explore and enjoy. My favorite feeling is when you’ve spent the day walking through the streets, visiting an old church or museum and you sit down for an alfresco dinner as the sun sets. The light is this particular warm shade of pink in Italy and it’s magical. I also love doing a late-night walk to a gelateria. There’s always one open even at 1 a.m.

Q: What untapped destination should people know about?
A: Corsica. Waiheke Island in New Zealand. My friend was in the Albanian Alps recently and raved about it.

Q: What was the first trip you took as a child? 
A: My first overseas trip was to Hawaii and I adored it. I was fascinated by everything. I remember feeling that warm tropical humid breeze the minute I stepped out of the airport.

 

Q: What’s the most important thing you’ve learned from your travels?
A: Under pack. You never need as much as you think and you’ll need space in your suitcase for the cool things you’ll pick up during your travels. Humility. Traveling is a great way to put everything into perspective.

Q: Do you speak any foreign languages? 
A: I learned Korean again during the pandemic! It’s to a point where I’m conversational and just so eager to improve. I still take lessons weekly. I need more Korean friends, please! I speak some French and what I call restaurant Italian. I’m always so impressed by multilingual people.

Q: What are your five favorite cities?
A: Sydney, Seoul, Rome, London, Paris.

Q: Where have you traveled to that most reminded you of home?
A: A mash-up of London and Vancouver. Culturally, we are so tied to England but geographically, Vancouver has the elements of a harbor city like Sydney.

Q: Where would you like to go that you have never been to before?
A: Iceland. Tibet. Bhutan. Jeju Island in Korea.

Q: What would be your dream trip?
A: Road trip down the Amalfi Coast to Sicily and maybe hop over to Sardinia. Of course, the whole thing is scenic heaven, but I’m drooling thinking about the food. 

© 2022 JAE-HA KIM
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