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by Scott Juba Published: March 8, 2005
 Photo By Robert Bengtson Daniel Dae Kim is no stranger to successful television shows. He’s had recurring roles on “24”, “ER”, and “Angel”, and has made guest appearances on “CSI”, “The Shield”, and “Beverly Hills, 90210”. These roles, however, now seem minor compared to the colossal attention and acclaim he’s receiving for his portrayal of Jin on ABC’s smash hit, “Lost”. A Korean man with a troubled past, Jin’s inability to effectively communicate with his wife has led to a disintegration of their relationship. Kim tells me he’s thrilled to play such a dynamic and intricate character. “The only thing that any actor can really ask for is to play a complex, interesting person with a lot of different dimensions,” he remarks. “Right now, Jin is that. People can’t pigeonhole him into a bad guy or a hero. He’s a lot of different things to a lot of different people.” Kim first became serious about acting in his sophomore year of college and went on to earn an MFA from the graduate acting program at New York University. He credits much of what he learned there with preparing him for a career in show business. “I think my time at NYU was invaluable,” he says. “I really credit the program there with making me a professional actor. I still use the tools and the skills that I learned there every single day when I’m on set.” Unquestionably, it is those skills that helped Kim land his part on “Lost”. No amount of acting lessons, however, could have prepared him for the amazing reception the show has received from television audiences. “You can always hope for that kind of success,” he comments, “but you can never expect anything in this business. The only thing I can say is that we are with a great bunch of writers and a great bunch of actors, so if you’re going to try to build something, this is a good foundation.” Part of the reason why “Lost” draws phenomenal ratings stems from viewers’ fascination with the hidden mysteries of the island where the plane crash survivors are stranded. One of the most popular theories amongst fans is that the castaways died in the crash and are unknowingly in purgatory. “I’m not sure that’s right, but it’s interesting,” Kim says. “I think that everyone is on the island for a reason. I don’t think it’s just sheer coincidence. In that way, the purgatory theory may hint at something that’s correct.” Kim admits, however, that he nor any of the cast members know the ultimate fate of their characters. “Filming the show, we’re only three weeks ahead of the viewing audience,” he says. “So every time we get a script, we hunker down and rip through it, because we want to find out what happens. It’s entertaining not only for the audience at large, but for us as well. We’re excited. We’re fans.” During my conversation with Kim, he also addresses reports that one of the main characters will die by season’s end. “We have been informed of which person’s character will be killed, and it’s incredibly sad. There’s a special bond between all of us, because we were with this project from the beginning. Having one of us go changes the experience a little bit. It’s really sad, because we all like each other so much. It’s like one of our friends is leaving us.” Kim promises that the character’s passing will be one of “Lost’s” most memorable episodes to date. “It’s so well done, there won’t be a dry eye in the house,” he says. As far as what else audiences can expect in upcoming episodes, Kim divulges that the building of the raft will become a central plot line. He also adds, “There’s this notion of ‘what’s next?’ on the island. ‘If we know that we’re going to be here for a while, what do we do now?’ Those are some of the themes that will be explored in upcoming episodes.” As time passes, Kim hopes that “Lost’s” three-dimensional depiction of Jin and its other ethnically diverse characters will lead to more opportunities for minorities on network television. “It’s a real opportunity,” Kim comments. “And the important thing about this show is that the diversity was not made a big deal of when we first started. The emphasis was on creating a believable, entertaining story with real characters, regardless of race and color. The fact that we have a diverse cast only adds to the mixture and enhances those storylines. I think it’s important for executives in television and film to know that you can have a great story and a marketable story and a successful show and not have it necessarily be an all-white twenty-something cast.” With a cast of characters that spans a wide spectrum of ages, races, and ethnicities, “Lost” features one of the most unique and interesting groups of actors on television. I ask Kim which cast member is most like their character, and after a moment of thought, he replies, “I would have to say Terry O’Quinn. Terry’s a very simple man. He knows what he likes. And I think Locke is very much the same way. He’s old enough to be comfortable in his own skin. I think that’s a big similarity between the two of them.” So, who is least like their character? “I’d like to think it’s me,” Kim says lightheartedly. I would certainly agree. Jin’s confrontational, aggressive personality is entirely different from Kim’s personable nature. Even with all that he’s achieved, Kim remains unaffected by his compounding fame. Common courtesy and kindness have not been lost on him. Links Daniel Dae Kim.org Lost Official Site Sirlinksalot |
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