Alicia Hannah-Kimhas been working steadily in movies and television for years, and her hard work has begun to pay off in the 2020s with some major roles in notable shows and movies. Born in Sydney, Australia, Hannah-Kim began her acting career in 2003, with a small role inWhite Collar Blue. Parts came somewhat slowly for Hannah-Kim afterward, and she only appeared in minor roles or as unnamed characters for the next few years. However, every once in a while, she would score a memorable part ina popular show likeGrey’s Anatomy.
Over the 2010s, the Korean Australian actress has built an ever-growing resume, appearing in more movies and TV shows every year, usually in more substantial parts. In the 2020s, it appears that Hannah-Kim has finally broken into some real stardom with significant parts in shows likeMinxandCobra Kai. In her personal life,Hannah-Kim married Sebastian Roché in May 2014. While Hannah-Kim’s career is still blossoming, she’s put up enough tape in movies and TV to show that she is a versatile and talented actress with a lot of range.
General Hospital
Cast
General Hospital, a series released in 1963, weaves narratives of families, friends, adversaries, and lovers in the bustling city of Port Charles, New York. Set against the backdrop of a busy hospital, upscale hotel, and crime-ridden waterfront, it explores life-altering events in this intricate social tapestry.
General Hospitalis one of the longest-running TV shows ever and the daytime soap opera is synonymous with the genre. Since 1963, audiences have tuned in to watch what happens next with the Quartermaine and Spencer families, as well as the many guest stars to come through the series over the years. Plenty ofnotable guests have appeared inGeneral Hospital, and it’s not unusual to find at least one episode on a famous actor’s resume.
Oakes Fegley’s 10 Best Movies & TV Shows Ranked
Oakes Fegley is a rising actor who has already starred in critically and commercially successful TV shows and movies, often in difficult roles.
So Alicia Hannah-Kim is in good company considering she appeared in a 2014 episode of the show as Vesper Green, a nurse at General Hospital. Though there isn’t much for her character to do, the fact that she has the series as a part of her filmography is symbolic of her tenacious efforts to make it in the acting world.
9Crash (2008-2009)
Shin (2 Episodes, 2008)
Based on thecontroversial Best Picture winnerof the same name from 2004,Crashis a two-season Starz series starring Dennis Hopper as Ben Cendars and later Eric Roberts as Seth Blanchard. Like the film, the show depicts the rising racial tensions in Los Angeles and connects interweaving storylines together through violence, prejudice, and occasionally, redemption. It’s not particularly original, butCrashis a competent noir thriller with some solid performances.
Alicia Hannah-Kim appears in the first two episodes of season 1 as Shin. While it’s not a particularly important role, her appearance in what was hoped to be a big Starz series signaled showrunners' and directors' confidence in her abilities. This project came only a few years into the start of her career, and it was already clear that she had some real screen presence.
8Supah Ninjas (2011-2013)
Veronica (1 Episode, 2011)
Supah Ninjasis a Nickelodeon teen superhero show that lasted for two seasons on the network. The show follows Mike Fukanaga (Ryan Potter), a Japanese-American school student. Shy and socially awkward, Mike’s life and the lives of his friends, Owen Reynolds (Carlos Knight) and Amanda McKay (Gracie Dzienny), are changed forever when they stumble across a hidden message from Mike’s late grandfather. Mike learns he comes from a line of vigilante ninja warriors and he, Owen, and Amanda are trained to fight crime.
Alicia Hannah-Kim appears in one episode of the series as Veronica, the assistant of a skilled magician who frames her for his own kidnapping.
Operating in a villain-of-the-week style,Supah Ninjasintroduces a new enemy for the “Supah Ninjas” to fight almost every episode. Some last more than one episode, but many are defeated quickly. Alicia Hannah-Kim appears in one episode of the series as Veronica, the assistant of a skilled magician who frames her for his own kidnapping. It’s a large part of the episode and Hannah-Kim brings some real dramatic acting without overdoing it too much.
7Grey’s Anatomy (2005-Present)
Jasmine (1 Episode, 2009)
Grey’s Anatomy, the long-running medical drama, follows the lives of the doctors, nurses, and patients at the fictional Seattle Grace Hospital. Numerousguest stars onGrey’s Anatomyhave gone on to become famousand with so many different cases every week, it’s an excellent opportunity for an actor to show off their range, either as a victim, witness, or aggressor. Alicia Hannah-Kim appears in season 6, episode 1 “Good Mourning”.
In the episode, Hannah-Kim plays Jasmine, a girl traveling from Sydney with her friend Jo (Emily Roche). The two meet Clara (Zoe Boyle) on board the plane and the trio become fast friends. Tragically, Clare is later injured in a speedboating accident and Jasmine has to bring Clara’s amputated arms to the Seattle Grace Hospital. Jasmine is a competent and smart character andHannah-Kim plays her like a young person doing her best to put on a brave facewhile having a breakdown on the inside. It’s harrowing and Hannah-Kim makes it feel real.
Alone Togetheris a sitcom produced by theLonely Island ofSNLdigital shorts fame. The series, which ran for two seasons on Freeform, follows two millennial misfits, Esther (Esther Povitsky) and Benji (Benji Aflalo). Ester, a Midwesterner trying to make it as a comic, and Benji, a trust fund kid from Beverly Hills, strike up an unlikely and platonic friendship as they try to navigate the status-obsessed world of Los Angeles.
Esther Povitsky and Benji Aflalo are also the show’s creators, along with Eben Russell.
The show is filled with guest characters, including Chris D’Elia, Ginger Gonzaga, and Punam Patel. Alicia Hannah-Kim appears in two episodes as Vivian. This is one of Hannah’Kim’s first entries into streaming television, and it’s clear right away that she fits in the format. She has the quick dialogue and sarcastic charm needed for a lot of these millennial-type TV series. It’s an aesthetic that matches hers andmany of her notable later performances are in shows similar toAlone Together.
A Night at the Silent Movie Theateris a comedy of errors that follows a singer stuck in a dead-end job. When he’s given one last chance to earn musical stardom, he finds his path blocked by an inexplicable number of accidents that all seem targeted at stopping him from reaching his goals. A low-budget film that almost feels homemade at points,A Night at the Silent Movie Theateris still a charming look at the behind-the-scenes pursuit of stardom.
It’s an early role for Hannah-Kim, but it’s already apparent that she’s a step above her cast mates when it comes to dramatic ability.
Instead of making the hunt for fame a psychologically thrilling journey, as many projects tend to do,A Night at the Silent Movie Theaterchooses to look at the silly side of it. Alicia Hannah-Kim has top billing on the movie poster and plays Liza. It’s an early role for Hannah-Kim, but it’s already apparent that she’s a step above her cast mates when it comes to dramatic ability.
We Love You, Sally Carmichael!is a comedy film about a man named Simon Hayes (Christopher Gorham), a bitter and serious novelist who has not found much success writing what he likes. What he has found success doing is being a romance author under the pen name, Sally Carmichael. His books chronicle the epic love story between a merman and a human. While he finds the whole thing ridiculous, they’re the only successful books he’s been able to publish.
Alicia Hannah-Kim has a supporting role as Alex and, once again,manages to show off her comedy chops with only a few scenes. This is one of her first performances that allows for some real joke-making and shows a widening of her range. Previously type-cast as one-note characters,We Love You, Sally Carmichael!revealed just how much more there was to the actress.
Hawaii Five-0
A modern imagining of the classic series that was released during the 1960s, Hawaii Five-0 is an action series that follows a special task force that handles various crimes in Hawaii. Acting outside their normal jurisdiction and given free rein across the state from the Governor himself, the twosome of Steve McGarrett and Danny Williams deal with terrorist plots, kidnappings, and other serious crimes.
A reboot of the 1968-1980 seriesHawaii Five-O,Hawaii Five-0(2010-2020) follows the titular task force specializing in major crimes taking place in Hawaii. They’ve dealt with everything from robberies to kidnappings to terrorism, and generally are allowed to pursue criminals by any means necessary. A nostalgic throwback to the old show, with beautiful locales, and an ensemble cast who work well together,Hawaii Five-0is the rare reboot that arguably is better than the original.
The original series spelled the title with the letter “O”, while the reboot uses the number “0”.
Alicia Hannah-Kim plays Ariko in season 10, episode 13, “The Rat was Caught Right in the Nest”. In the episode, the Five-0 investigate a murder on a private golf course when a man is found frozen in a nitrogen steamer room. Ariko is one of the suspected murderers and Hannha-Kim’s performance in the series is right in line with the dramatic, but slightly tongue-in-cheek tone of the show. It’s a performance that could very well be replicated in the future, perhaps with Hannah-Kim in the leading role.
Minx
Set in 1970s Los Angeles, Minx centers on a young feminist who works to create the first erotic magazine for women. HBO’s Minx stars Ophelia Lovibond as Joyce Prigger and Jake Johnson as Doug Renetti. After the series was canceled by HBO in the middle of filming season 2, Starz picked up the show.
InMinx, an American comedy that first premiered on HBO and then moved to Starz, Joyce Prigger (Ophelia Lovibond) is a young feminist in 1970s LA. She’s approached by an adult entertainment publisher to help create the first women’s erotic magazine. Through their efforts, the pair learn more about themselves and find meaningful relationships in the strangest places. Alicia Hannah-Kim appears in two episodes of season 1 as a best-selling, erotic author, Wendy Mah.
Hannah-Kim is both charming and a little distasteful considering her views on women.
Wendy is representative of the type of feminism of the 70s that the show explores. She has the courage to write openly about women’s sexuality, but at the same time, she is not necessarily concerned with the proliferation of feminist ideals. It’s a very gray characterization that shows the different forms of feminism and how, despite some progress, the 1970s were far from ideal. Hannah-Kim is both charming and a little distasteful considering her views on women. Wendy isn’t a caricature and Hannah-Kim plays her with depth.
Cobra Kai
Cobra Kai is a sequel series continuing the narrative of the Karate Kid saga, set 30 years after the 1984 All Valley Karate Tournament. It focuses on Johnny Lawrence seeking redemption by reopening the Cobra Kai dojo, reigniting his rivalry with Daniel LaRusso, who strives to maintain balance in his life.
Cobra Kaiis the unexpectedly successful sequel TV series toThe Karate Kidfranchise, set 34 years after Danny LaRusso (Ralph Macchio) and Johnny Lawrence (William Zabka) had their legendary fight. The series has been nominated for one Emmy and two SAGs, and its blend of 80s nostalgia, real heart, and excellent storytelling has turned out a fantastic sequel. Alicia Hannah-Kim first appears in season 5 as Kim Da-Eun, one of the secondary antagonists of season 5, and the main antagonist of season 6.
Kim is a formidable South Korean sensei and is recruited to become the leader of the Cobra Kai Dojo. She is the first female sensei to appear in the franchise, and she is a ruthless and cold teacher, who does not tolerate failure and imposes painful lessons on her students.Alicia Hannah-Kimhas all the physicality and cold strength to make the character seem even more menacing than John Kreese (Martin Cove) and Terry Silver (Thomas Ian Griffith). It’s an exciting and colorful performance that injects new life into the series while still maintaining the show’s feel.
