Alicia Hannah-Kim Speaks Out After Being Bitten by Cobra Kai Co-Star Martin Kove at Fan Convention

Alicia Hannah-Kim has broken her silence following a shocking and bizarre encounter with Cobra Kai co-star Martin Kove earlier this month. Kove, widely known for portraying villain John Kreese in The Karate Kid franchise and Cobra Kai, was escorted out of Washington State Summer Con after allegedly biting Hannah-Kim.

The actress addressed the incident in an Instagram video, thanking fans for their concern and confirming that she was injured during the encounter. A visible bruise on her arm was shown in the video, supporting her claim of a “serious incident.”

Hannah-Kim Urges Self-Advocacy, Reassures Fans About Positive Cobra Kai Experience

In her video message, Hannah-Kim emphasized the importance of advocating for oneself during difficult situations. She expressed gratitude for her handler at the event, Taylor, and reiterated that despite enjoying meeting fans, the incident was troubling. “When you are confronted with something like this, it’s good to stand up for yourself,” she stated. Her message highlighted her belief that self-respect and accountability are essential, especially in professional settings, no matter the status or legacy of the people involved.

Despite the disturbing nature of the incident, Hannah-Kim reassured fans that her time on Cobra Kai was overwhelmingly positive. She clarified that Kove’s behavior did not reflect the overall culture of the show. “Everybody else is delightful,” she said, urging fans not to let this incident taint their view of the series. Hannah-Kim played Kim Da-Eun, a powerful and complex character introduced in the final season of the show, while Kove’s character was a long-standing antagonist throughout the series.

Police Report Reveals Kove Bit Hannah-Kim, Later Apologized for Inappropriate “Playful” Behavior

According to a police report obtained by Entertainment Weekly, the incident began when Hannah-Kim tapped Kove on the shoulder to greet him, prompting Kove to grab her arm and bite it “hard,” nearly breaking the skin. She later showed the injury to her handler and her husband, actor Sebastian Roché. When they confronted Kove about it, he reportedly became angry and insisted he bit her “for fun.” Kove told police he believed it was playful and that they often “play fight” on set, not realizing the seriousness of the act.

While Alicia Hannah-Kim did not press charges, she filed a report and documented the injury in case of future incidents. Kove later issued a public apology, expressing deep regret for his behavior. “I went too far, and there is absolutely no excuse,” he admitted, adding that he respected Hannah-Kim and was committed to learning from the incident. Despite his long tenure as a villain on screen, Kove acknowledged that his real-life actions were inappropriate and promised that such behavior would not happen again.