
Daniel Dae Kim
Award-Winning Actor; "Lost" and "Hawaii Five-0" Producer, Cultural Diversity & Counter-Human Trafficking Activist
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…
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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 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.
Since then, both Daniel and the show have been widely recognized for their excellence. Sharing a 2006 Screen Actors Guild Award for Best Ensemble, the Korean American actor’s universal appeal was also recognized by PEOPLE Magazine, which named him one of the ‘Sexiest Men Alive’ in 2005, as well as TV GUIDE which named him one of ‘TV’s Sexiest Men’ in 2006. In that same year, Daniel was individually honored with an AZN Asian Excellence Award, a Multicultural Prism Award and a Vanguard Award from the Korean American Coalition, all for Outstanding Performance by an Actor. In 2009, his recognition continues with the prestigious KoreAm Journal Achievement Award in the field of Arts and Entertainment.
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.
Upon graduation, Daniel’s film career began in earnest with roles in “The Jackal,” “For Love of the Game,” “The Hulk,” “Spider Man 2” and “The Cave,” as well as the Academy Award winner for Best Picture, “Crash.”
On television, he’s guest starred on numerous shows, including “CSI,” “ER,” and, for two seasons, “24,” as CTU Agent Tom Baker. In 2008, he also starred in the Emmy nominated mini-series adaptation of Michael Crichton’s “The Andromeda Strain.” Kim has also complemented his television work by lending his voice talents to video games, creating characters in “Saints Row” 1 and 2, “Scarface: The World Is Yours,” “Tenchu” and “24,” as well as the animated TV series’ “Justice League Unlimited” and “Avatar.”
This past summer Daniel rekindled his love for the stage by performing the role of the King of Siam in the iconic production, “The King and I” at London’s world-renowned Royal Albert Hall.
Though he spends time in Los Angeles and New York, Daniel spends most of the year in Honolulu, where he devotes his free time to a number of different charities, his restaurant and his family.
Testimonials
Ernie was perfect for our Elders Conference at Little River Casino Resort in Manistee, Michigan. We will definitely be using PDA again!

LITTLE RIVER BAND OF OTTAWA INDIANS
Our speaker was great and the crowd enjoyed her! She was very engaging. Thank you again PDA for the great list of suggestions!

MEDTRONIC
Everything went great! and our speaker was wonderful! Thank you so much for all your help PDA! Looking forward to the next one.

UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI – KANSAS CITY
I hope that this message finds you well. We had a phenomenal time with Atsuko this past Thursday. We wanted to just let you know how amazing she was. All those that were in attendance thoroughly enjoyed her and had nothing but amazing things to say about her. Thank you for working with us to make sure this happened!

BAYLOR UNIVERSITY CAMPUS
We had a fantastic day with Inge! She was very engaging with all those that attended. Her personal stories about the holocaust were very special and we were moved that she was willing to share them with everyone. Thank you again, PDA for all your hard work and dedication to make this program such a success!

SALT LAKE COMMUNITY COLLEGE
Dear PDA Group, Thank you so much for your hard work in scheduling our speaker! From the moment we reached out to you the first time, you worked with us on all details and logistics and kept us up-to-date on the progress. Thank you for all your hard work on making our event such a success! We couldn't have done it without you and your team!

SAP COMPANY
Thank you again, Dr. Kimbrough, for a great presentation, our attendees are still talking about it!

CAMPUS LABS
Dr. Henry Lee's presentation was entertaining, insightful and wise. I, and everyone at Pfizer, especially appreciate the remarks you directed about following your passion and preparing yourself to excel. Thank you, everyone, at PDA for helping to make this happen!

PFIZER
The event was successful! I received many messages expressing how awesome, outstanding and inspiring Ms. Webb-Christburg's speech was."

DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. MEMORIAL BREAKFAST, BOSTON, MLK SPEAKER
Everything went well. Atsuko was very easy to work with and the students enjoyed her performance! Thank you again for your recommendation and I hope to work with you again in the future!

CENTRAL MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
Dr. Novello left this morning after a very successful event on our campus! Thank you PDA Group for your help from the first phone to the last you were with us every step of the way.

GRAND VALLEY STATE UNIVERSITY
Jordan Carlos was very very entertaining! A majority of students who answered the event survey indicated they really enjoyed Jordan and definitely will bring him back!

WESTERN CAROLINA UNIVERSITY
On behalf of myself and my organization Entertainment Unlimited the Campus Programming Board of Ferris State University, we thank you PDA and Dan for a successful event!! Dan was magnificent! Students really enjoyed the presentation. I know I did. Can't wait to bring in more programs with PDA Group.

FERRIS STATE UNIVERSITY
It was a great pleasure to work with PDA Group! The communication was always prompt, friendly and helpful. We loved the speakers and events we booked through Mr. Peter Walker (PDA Group).

WESTERN MICHIGAN UNIVERSITY
Thank you, Peter, for all your help, you'll be happy to know that the event went incredibly well! Aneesa Ferreira was by far one of the best speakers we've ever had!

FURMAN UNIVERSITY
Topics
A Conversation With Daniel Dae Kim
Daniel Dae Kim discusses the importance of staying connected to his Korean heritage
LOST and Found: Discovering and Cherishing your Heritage
Through the variety and complexity of his roles on screen and stage, Daniel Dae Kim continuously expands the public’s perception of the Asian-American man. Best known for his characters ranging from the loving but overprotective and mysterious husband on LOST, to the cop wrongly accused of corruption on “Hawaii Five-0,” Daniel has constantly transcended the historical hurdles of stereotype, culture, and race. In this groundbreaking speech, Daniel shares the story of not only moving from South Korea to the United States at a young age, but being raised in a culture very different from his own, finding his voice and ultimately achieving worldwide success without giving up his heritage or identity. He demonstrates the best strategies for not only integrating into a different culture, but positively claiming ownership of processes – whether creative, educational, financial or beyond.
Human Rights, Human Trafficking & Illicit Networks in North Korea: A True Account
Aside from his acclaimed work on television and in theater, Daniel Dae Kim is a strong advocate and activist in the fight against human trafficking. In this two-person presentation Daniel and Mike Kim share their experiences combating human-trafficking, revealing the horror stories they’ve encountered and the success stories they’ve been able to make a reality. This inspiring talk is an emotional journey that also provides great insight into one of the most secretive and controversial countries and governments in the world.
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