Daniel Dae Kim Reveals His One Remaining Career Wish: To Be a Romantic Lead

 Los Angeles, August 2025 — Despite his celebrated career—including roles in Lost, Hawaii Five-0, and more recently the Prime Video spy series Butterfly—Daniel Dae Kim still holds one heartfelt aspiration: playing a romantic lead. In a candid interview with People, Kim shared his desire to star in a “boy-meets-girl” story, something rarely offered to actors like him in mainstream American media.

Breaking Stereotypes Through Storytelling

At 57, Kim better understands the boundary-breaking power of representation. Reflecting on Hollywood’s history, he noted, “Traditionally in America, someone who looks like me does not get the girl… I’m so glad to see that changing.” His hope is that not only his community but he himself can participate in dismantling that stereotype. 

From Tony History to New Frontiers

Kim’s career continues to ascend. Earlier this year, his transformative performance in Yellow Face earned him a Tony Award nomination for Best Lead Actor in a Play—the first-ever received by an Asian actor in that category. Kim called the honor “a dream come true” and considered it a poignant reflection of cultural progress. Yet he believes the next landmark would be for an Asian man to win in that category. 

A “Love Letter to Korea” and Family-driven Artistry

Kim currently stars in and executive produces Butterfly, a bilingual spy drama filmed across 21 locations in South Korea. The story—centered on a former intelligence agent pursued by his own daughter—is described by Kim as a “love letter to Korea.” He hopes the series builds on the momentum of trailblazers like Parasite, Squid Game, and Crazy Rich Asians, further embedding Asian stories in global entertainment. 

Balancing Ambition with Gratitude

Despite his drive, Kim values pause and reflection. “I’m always focused on the task at hand—but sometimes it’s good to take a break as you're climbing the mountain, look out and enjoy the view,” he said. 

Why It Matters

Kim’s journey—from action star to stage icon to one of Time magazine’s influential figures of 2025—is more than a varied résumé; it represents groundbreaking strides for Asian representation in entertainment. But his still-unmet wish—to be a romantic lead—reveals how far the industry still needs to go.

In Summary

Daniel Dae Kim’s story is one of trailblazing—in roles, honors, and barriers broken. Yet his most personal dream remains to inhabit a love story in which men like him get to be fully seen, fully loved, and fully human. As audiences watch him in Butterfly and beyond, that quiet wish may soon become a reality.