Warning: SPOILERS for Cobra Kai season 5. Cobra Kai's Alicia Hannah-Kim teases what could be next for her character. Portraying the antagonistic Kim Da-Eun, Hannah-Kim started off with deep connections to the wider Karate Kid universe. Briefly mentioned in the past, Kim Da-Eun is properly introduced in Cobra Kai season 5. She's the granddaughter of Kim Sun-Yung, the man who taught both John Kreese and Terry Silver. It's this connection that plays a role in Silver recruiting her to be the head sensei for his dojo.
Cobra Kai season 5 focuses on Silver's villain arc, ending with him getting hauled away in handcuffs. However, in her own right, Kim Da-Eun proves to be a formidable opponent. Although Silver's petty rivalries don't drive her, she demonstrates the ability to be no less cruel. This is especially true during a scene with Tory, where Kim pushes the young fighter well past the breaking point. Even though her plans of Cobra Kai domination with Silver are cut short, the door is open for the character to return in the future.
In an interview with Deadline, Hannah-Kim teases what could be next if Cobra Kai season 6 gets renewed. The actress said that, with Kim Da-Eun, a sort of "pandora's box" has been opened. Hannah-Kim went on to explain how her character's plans for world domination remain alive, even though her dojo was defeated in the Cobra Kai season 5 finale and that there is a lot still left to explore:
Hopefully, we will continue what we’ve started in Season 5 on Cobra Kai… I think they’ve opened a pandora’s box with Kim Da-Eun and Master Kim Sun-Young. It really brought a darker element to this season and I’m curious what could happen now that Cobra Kai is ostensibly defeated. I do know Kim is hellbent on global domination for her family’s legacy so there’s a lot yet to explore.
Will Cobra Kai Season 6 Humanize Kim Da-Eun?
Part of the magic of Cobra Kai is its ability to flip perspectives. In the beginning, the Karate Kid sequel spinoff was focused on depicting the iconic movie franchise in a novel way by initially making Johnny more of the protagonist, and allowing former hero Daniel to appear in a more ambiguous light. Cobra Kai has since complicated that binary framing, driving home that neither character is all good or all bad. It has also done the same with Kreese and even Silver to a small extent. Given this track record, it's only fair to assume that Kim Da-Eun will get the same treatment.
As Hannah-Kim indicates in her remarks, it might be fun for Kim Da-Eun to remain an unbothered villain. She could team up with Kreese, who has escaped from prison, to rebuild what they believe to be a better version of the titular dojo. Or she could strike out on her own, not quite targeting the show's heroes but not exactly being a helpful presence either. Hopefully, with Hannah-Kim making such a big impression, they'll be room for her in Cobra Kai season 6.
Source: Deadline