The actor says inclusion isn’t a fad — it’s his life.
Daniel Dae Kim is raising his voice about what he sees as a dangerous shift in Hollywood. The Lost alum and Tony-nominated actor spoke with the Associated Press in Seoul, South Korea, where he expressed concern over a growing backlash against diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) efforts in the entertainment industry.
“We’re already seeing it,” Kim said. “If you look at what happened with Paramount and CBS News, we’re seeing a chilling effect on free speech and journalism and DEI. ‘DEI’ is a bad word these days, but to me, DEI’s not a fad. The idea of inclusion is not something that’s a political trend. It’s my life. It’s what I’ve lived every decade I’ve been in this business.”
Kim’s comments come on the heels of a high-profile $16 million settlement between Paramount and President Donald Trump. The dispute stemmed from a contested 60 Minutes interview with then–Vice President Kamala Harris, which Trump alleged was fraudulently edited.
While Paramount dismissed the lawsuit as meritless, critics say the settlement sends the wrong message.
The controversy has already rippled through Hollywood. Stephen Colbert, whose late-night show airs on CBS, called the settlement a “big fat bribe.” Just days later, Paramount announced that The Late Show — which began with David Letterman — would be canceled in 2026.
Executives have defended the decision as financial, but speculation continues to swirl around the timing.
For Kim, the issue is bigger than one settlement or one show. He says actors of color face unique pressures when it comes to career choices. Early in his career, he understood why many minority actors accepted stereotypical roles just to break in. But even now, as a successful producer and star, he admits the weight never fully lifts.
“I don’t ever escape the fact that whatever I do will be watched and judged through people’s own lens,” he explained. “If you’re not a person of color, you don’t have to think about what this role means for an entire ethnicity. But for us, it’s always there.”
With Hollywood navigating financial shakeups and cultural debates, Kim’s message is clear: inclusion isn’t optional — it’s essential.
