Daniel J. Kim, who portrays Yoon, the elite Cobra Kai student in Cobra Kai Season 6 Part 2, joined Pop Culture Unplugged to discuss the excitement of being part of this iconic franchise, the emotional impact of the latest episodes, and his journey as an actor. Here are the highlights from our conversation:
On Joining the Cobra Kai Universe
For Daniel, becoming part of the Cobra Kai world was surreal.
“I grew up on The Karate Kid. It was my gateway into martial arts movies. Being on set with Ralph Macchio and Billy Zabka was crazy and surreal. It’s incredible to be part of something I cherished as a kid.”
Daniel revealed how his audition process came full circle:
“I originally auditioned for Kyler way back during the first season when it was on YouTube. I wasn’t prepared back then, but when the opportunity came up again for Yoon, I felt so lucky to be considered. Thank God for the big three—Jon, Josh, and Hayden—taking a chance on me.”
The Challenges of Playing Yoon
Daniel embraced the complexity of Yoon, blending martial arts precision and cultural authenticity:
“Yoon is the star student of the Korean Cobra Kai dojo—structured, precise, and a leader. I had to dust off my martial arts skills; I trained in taekwondo for about ten years growing up. Combining that with acting and speaking Korean in some scenes was a unique challenge.”
He credited the show’s team for their support:
“Our stunt team, fight coordinator Don Lee, and on-set interpreter Kiwon Yoo made it possible to bring authenticity to Yoon. It was a privilege to be part of such a talented group.”
Reflecting on Juan’s Death
One of the most shocking moments of Season 6 Part 2 was Juan’s death, and Daniel shared his perspective on filming this pivotal scene:
“That moment changes everything. Brandon (Juan) and I learned about it on set from Hayden Schlossberg, and we were blown away. It was an emotionally charged day because it wasn’t just saying goodbye to a character—it was also our last day on set together. You can see how that emotional weight translated on screen.”
Favorite Fight Scenes
Daniel’s passion for martial arts shone through as he reflected on his favorite fights:
“The brawl was wild—48 hours of filming for 13 minutes of chaos. Tanner kicking me in the face was an honor! But my favorite fight is the Megido Cobra Kai fight in Episode 9. Seeing Robbie land that side plane kick on Yoon was electric.”
On Being a Part of Cobra Kai’s Legacy
When asked how it felt to be forever tied to the Cobra Kai dojo, Daniel lit up:
“Hearing you say that is the first time it really hit me—I’m part of Cobra Kai’s legacy. It’s like being in the Avengers of martial arts. This Korean version of Cobra Kai, with Yoon, Juan, and Tori, is something special, and I’ll always hold it dear.”
The Fans and the Future
Daniel praised the show’s fans for their passionate engagement:
“The fan reaction has been overwhelmingly sweet. I try to see as much as I can on social media, and the love for Yoon and the Korean Cobra Kai has been heartwarming.”
When asked about Part 3, Daniel played coy:
“I’m in the dark just like you, but knowing how much care and thought the creators put into the show, fans are in for an amazing conclusion. I can’t wait to see how it all ends.”
What’s Next for Daniel J. Kim
Outside of Cobra Kai, Daniel has been working on a mix of projects, including theater and Korean drama dubs. He teased:
“There are a few things in the pipeline that I can’t share yet, but right now, it’s all about celebrating Cobra Kai Season 6 Part 2 and anticipating what’s to come in Part 3.”
A Message to the Fans
“Thank you for all your love and support. Keep rooting for your favorite dojos and characters—this journey wouldn’t be the same without you.”
Follow Daniel on social media to stay updated:
Instagram: @daniel_j_kim
TikTok: @daniel_james_kim