Two people who passionately love their jobs and are devoted in such a way that neither has settled down.
Watch on Deadline
But then something happened.
Then what followed for this pair made me ship them hard.
Alicia Hannah-KimNetflix
Im a lost cause because I desperately need more of them in the future.
Yes, that was a mouthful but the magnitude of this connection must be acknowledged.
In a series with such a large cast, its difficult to focus on every character.
(L to R) Yuji Okumoto as Chozen,Alicia Hannah-Kimas Kim Da-Eun inCobra Kai
Chozens connection to the franchise goes all the way back to 1986.
Every episode from Season 1 to Season 6, Part 2 is available now to stream via Netflix.
Hannah-Kim replied via email as shes currently out of the country.
DEADLINE:How did you feel when you learned Kim and Chozen were going to hook up?
Do you agree they were pretty great together?
I did not see it coming.
The ultimate enemies-to-lovers plot twist!
I was curious to see how it could work because it had never crossed my mind.
I think theyre adorable together.
Theyre both very guarded people so its very sexy when they explode into this kiss mid-fight.
The Morning After is classic awkward comedy.
DEADLINE:What do you think Kim found attractive about Chozen?
HANNAH-KIM:Are you kidding?
Theyre the best enemies to lovers because they are equals.
I love how they teamed up to look for the kids.
They just naturally kept ending up at the same places on this one wild night in Barcelona.
Theyre united in this common goal and all the other noise dissipated.
Theyre in a bar in SPAIN for gods sake!
DEADLINE:What was it like on set while shooting this unexpected hookup?
HANNAH-KIM:I had the giggles all day and was actually pretty nervous.
Its awkward to suddenly make out with your colleague.
We were both chewing a lot of gum before each take.
Once it started, it was really easy to get carried away.
Its a really passionate moment for these two but so comedic at the same time.
Our director, Jen Celotta, loved their natural reactions.
DEADLINE:Were the kids egging you guys on?
HANNAH-KIM:We got teased a lot and a bunch of winks and nudges from everyone for weeks!
DEADLINE:How many takes did the first kiss take?
We made out so much that I was out of breath by the end of it.
It was a really lighthearted day at work for me because Kim is usually so intense and furious.
It was great to get to show a softer awkward side to her.
DEADLINE:Can you tease any more from this pair in the last part of the season?
HANNAH-KIM:Theyre navigating a new path because theyre not sworn enemies anymore.
Miyagi and Cobra Kai are opposing dojos.
Relationship status: Its complicated.
DEADLINE:Why did you chooze to bring Kim and Chozen together?
You know, youre in a hotel and a new environment, romance is in the air.
We knew theyd ensure the kids were not getting into trouble.
You know, what happens in Barcelona, stays in Barcelona.
DEADLINE:These are two passionate and devoted senseis whose personal lives have always taken a back seat.
It was fun to see Kim the morning after with her hair loose and not in her trademark braid.
JON HURWITZ:Alicia was really excited about having her hair down.
It was fun to see a different side of Kim Da-Eun.
It worked well for both of their stories in the season.
[For Kim] it becomes all-encompassing, her whole life revolves around that.
Maybe its time she should question if theres more to life.
And thats something that Tory [Payton List] ends up asking her later.
DEADLINE:That conversation (photo above) clearly makes Kim question her life.
I dont believe she was honest with Tory about her feelings, right?
HURWITZ:Yes, that was important to us.
When Tory joined Cobra Kai again, she did it to have a shot on the world stage.
She and Kim had a horrible relationship, with Kim pushing her to break her hand in Season 5.
So theres no love lost between the two of them.
Tory brought up a question that no one has probably had the guts to ever ask Kim.
This interview was edited and condensed for length and clarity.
