After CBS announced last week that “Hawaii Five-0” mainstays Daniel Dae Kim and Grace Park are exiting ahead of Season 8, Kim took to social media on Tuesday to explain the move.
“By now many of you have heard the news, and I’m sad to say it is true,” Kim wrote on Facebook. “I will not be returning to ‘Hawaii Five-0’ when production starts next week. Though I made myself available to come back, CBS and I weren’t able to agree to terms on a new contract, so I made the difficult choice not to continue.”
Kim, who played Chin Ho Kelly on the procedural since its launch in September 2010, said he is “deeply thankful to our crew, writers and everyone associated with the show — and especially the cast, who have been nothing but supportive through this entire process. They and the crew have been my second family for seven years, and I wish them nothing but success for Season 8 — and beyond.”
Kim thanked fans for their support, along with praising executive producers Peter Lenkov, Alex Kurtzman and Roberto Orci for creating Chin Ho, whose departure will be explained in the Season 8 premiere that airs Sept. 29.
“As an Asian-American actor, I know firsthand how difficult it is to find opportunities at all, let alone play a well-developed, three-dimensional character like Chin Ho,” Kim continued. “I will miss him sincerely.”
The “Lost” alum pointed out that he continues to focus on his producing career, as his company, 3AD, is set to launch its first series, ABC’s “The Good Doctor,” in the fall.
“I’ll end by saying that though transitions can be difficult, I encourage us all to look beyond the disappointment of this moment to the bigger picture,” he continued. “The path to equality is rarely easy. But I hope you can be excited for the future.”