‘Cobra Kai’s Alicia Hannah-Kim Addresses Character Hookup With Chozen

SPOILER ALERT: The story below reveals major plot points from Netflix's Cobra Kai, Season 6, Part 2

Netflix Cobra Kai She's back with the second batch of Season 6 episodes, packed with action on and off the mat.

In one of the most surprising pairings the series has ever seen, co-creators Jon Horowitz, Josh Heald, and Hayden Schlossberg creatively saw what most of us would never do. Two people who passionately love their work and are dedicated in a way that neither of them ever settled down. Their students are their children as they put all their efforts into teaching them a way of life so that they can be the best at what they do.

When I saw this unlikely duo sharing their first kiss, I wanted to turn off the TV and burn it to the ground. They belong to opposing teams and their connection could seriously complicate already intertwined issues such as the battle to win on the world stage.

But then something happened. I went back to the scenes before the kiss and really liked their banter when they were impatiently looking for their students in Barcelona to make sure they were okay. Then what happened next to this pair made me supercharge them. I'm a lost cause because I desperately need more of them in the future.

If you've made it this far, you want to be spoiled because I did my best to keep it vague. So, don't come at me in the comments.

In Episode 8 of the sixth and final season of the series, the legendary Chozen (Yuji Okumoto), who made his first appearance in… Karate Kid IIshe was linked with the worst and first female trainer, Kim Da Eun (Alicia Hana Kim), the granddaughter of Kim Sun Young (C.S. Lee). Yes, it was a simple matter but the magnitude of this connection must be acknowledged.

In a series with such a large cast, it's difficult to focus on each character. Even with Daniel LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) and Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka) at the center of the story, everyone in the group shared screen time fairly. Chozen's involvement with the series dates back to 1986. Seeing him share a romantic relationship of sorts with Daniel and Johnny was not only adorable, but it was also a complete riot to see unfold. Similar to Kim, who had a team to train and a legacy to uphold, not much was known about Chozen's love life until Kumiko's (Tamlin Tomita) whole.

What I'm trying to say is that there are only 5 more episodes left in the series serieswe're going to need more #Kimzen (a suitcase for the best couple of season 6). But you never know, Horowitz, Held, and Schlossberg laughed when I suggested a spinoff focusing on lovebirds.

Every episode from Season 1 through Season 6, Part 2 is now available to stream on Netflix.

Hana-Kim and the Counterbalance Entertainment trio spoke separately to Deadline about the relationship and what the future might hold for #Kimzen. Hana Kim responded via email because she is currently out of the country.

Delivery time: How did you feel when you found out that Kim and Chosin were getting engaged? Do you agree that they were great together?

Alicia Hana Kim: Hayden told me where Kim and Chosin and I were going on the first day of filming Season 6 and my jaw dropped. Didn't see that coming. Twist the ultimate enemies-to-lovers plot! I was curious to know how it would work because it had never occurred to me. The moment Yugi and I saw each other we started laughing and I realized it would be so much fun to discover this new dynamic together. I think they are great together. They're both very cautious people so it's very sexy for them to burst into this kiss in the middle of a fight. The Morning After is an awkward comedy classic. Chozen making the typical mistake of downplaying their connection to Daniel and starting their first “couple fight” is quite funny because these two strong senses suddenly have normal relationship problems.

Delivery time: What do you think Kim found attractive about Chozen?

Hannah Kim: are you kidding? Chozen has a rez! [Laughs] I think it's one of those aha moments when you realize how much you have in common with someone. They are the best enemies to lovers because they are equals. I love how they teamed up to look for the kids. Naturally, they end up in the same places on this wild night in Barcelona. They are united in this common goal and all other noise dissipates. They're in a bar in Spain, for God's sake! Very hot conditions!

Delivery time: What was it like filming this unexpected relationship?

Hannah Kim: I've been laughing all day and I was actually pretty nervous. It's embarrassing to suddenly go out with your colleague. We chewed a lot of gum before every take. Once I started, it was really easy to get carried away. It's a really emotional moment for these two but very comedic at the same time. Yugi tried to climb over me with his leg in one take and I burst out laughing but our faces were pressed together so it didn't show. The first take was funny because the extras had no idea we were moving on to kissing so they were shocked; Lots of open mouths. Our director, Gene Cilotta, loved their natural reactions.

Delivery time: Were the kids urging you guys on?

Hannah Kim: We were teased a lot and got a bunch of winks and nudges from everyone for weeks!

Delivery time: How many takes did the first kiss take?

Hannah Kim: So. a lot. takes. We did so much that I was finally breathing. It was also partly because it was a fight scene and we had to transition from fighting to kissing perfectly. It was a really fun day at work for me because Kim is usually very sharp and grumpy. It was great to show her a softer, more awkward side.

Delivery time: Can you tease more about this pair in the latter part of the season?

Hannah Kim: They are on a new path because they are not mortal enemies anymore. Miyagi and Cobra Kai oppose the dojo. Marital status: complicated.

Delivery time: Why did you choose to combine Kim and Chozen?

Hayden Schlossberg: It starts with us loving Yuji and Alicia and thinking about where their characters could go this season. We knew our students and coaches would be in Barcelona, ​​and we wanted to have some surprises off the field. You know, you're in a hotel and a new environment, and romance is in the air. And we love the idea because they both have that ferocity and stoic intimidation that makes them perfect companions. We knew they would ensure the kids didn't get into trouble.

So when they went out individually to look for the kids, it was fun to have them bump into each other. She feels that although it makes sense for them to kill each other, it leads to pleasure. You know, what happens in Barcelona, ​​stays in Barcelona.

Delivery time: These are two passionate and loyal people, whose personal lives have always been on the back burner. It was fun to see Kim the next morning with her hair down and not in her trademark braid. She was free.

John Horowitz: Alicia was really excited to let her hair down. It was fun to see a different side of Kim Da Eun. It worked well with their two stories in the season. With Chozen dealing with heartbreak [over Kumiko] And with Kim Da Eun being under her grandfather's control all these years, there is a lot of stress and pressure that comes with that. [For Kim] It becomes all-encompassing, and her whole life revolves around that. Maybe it's time to wonder if there's more to life. This is a conservative thing [Payton List] He ends up asking her later.

Delivery time: That conversation (pictured above) clearly makes Kim question her life. I don't think she was being honest with Tori about her feelings, right?

Horowitz: Yes, that was important to us. When Tori joined Cobra Kai again, she did so for the opportunity to appear on the world stage. Her relationship with Kim was terrible, with Kim causing her to break her hand in season five. So, there is no love lost between them anymore. And we thought it would be interesting to see these two very strong, powerful women, connecting in certain ways over these five episodes. It was really important to us that even though Kim said it was all worthwhile, we could tell she was questioning it. Tori asked a question that perhaps no one would have had the courage to ask Kim.

This interview has been edited and condensed for length and clarity.