Daniel Dae Kim, formerly of two island-shot TV series — “Lost” on ABC, “Hawaii Five-O” on CBS – is turning to the comics for his next production.
His newest step, with an Asian American character from comic books, could bolster the image of Asian-Americans, diversifying characters and promoting positive storylines in the process.
As The CW’s “Riverdale” is winding up this year, Kim will extend the Archie Comics franchise to produce “Jake Chang,” a new series via Kim’s 3AD.
According to Deadline, the “Chang” show, written by Oanh Ly and writer-director Viet Nguyen, will be preceded by the character in Archie’s life, who will make his comic book debut this July.
The creators envision “Chang” to be in the spirit of “Riverdale,” with a “soapy, noir thriller set in the world of Archie Comics.”
“We are so proud and honored, to be a part of this new wave of Asian-American content created by and starring Asian-Americans,” Ly and Nguyen said in a joint statement.
“The world of Jake Chang is vast, compelling, and a whole lot of fun. And just like our rascally teen detective, we’re going to lean into the ‘F U’ of the original ‘Fu Chang’ IP and delightfully destroy all familiar tropes and tell a unique Asian-American story.”
Archie Comics previously introduced a character named Fu Chang, an America- educated international private detective living in San Francisco’s Chinatown during the 1940s. Thus, Fu might be the historical inspiration for Jake, but set in modern times.
Kim’s path, from influential Asian character, has become a triumphant career, of boosting and creating multifaceted and stereotype-breaking roles, as a director and a producer with visibility and positivity that have reflected in number of films and TV shows.
He is best known for playing two recurring Asian roles on episodic TV: as Jin-Soo Kwan in “Lost” on ABC and as Chin Ho Kelly on CBS.”
On “Avatar: the Last Airbender,” a TV production still underway, his role is that of Fire Lord Ozai. On “New Amsterdam,” he has portrayed Dr. Cassian Shin; as Dr. Jackson Han, he was a doctor on “The Good Doctor.”
On stage, he starred as the King of Siam in “The King and I,” and he voiced the part of Benja on “Raya and the Last Dragon.”
The credits are varied and numerous. He truly has become an Everyman in film work, since he’s practically everywhere, sometimes seen, sometimes not. …
Message to exec producer Kim : Why not contemplate and create a Hawaii-filmed modernized series based on the legendary Charlie Chan, the 1920s murder-solving sleuth launched in Earl Derr Biggers’ novel, “The House Without a Key,” and cast an island Chinese actor in the process? Just thinking. …
Calendar notes
Rolando Sanchez shares his sizzling salsa songs and sounds, for listening and dancing at 7:30 p.m. today (June 25) at Manoa Valley Theatre. Tickets are $30, at www.manovalleytheatre.com. Reserved seating policy prevails. …
Manhattan Transfer brings its nostalgic vibes to Blue Note Hawaii, at the Outrigger Waikiki Hotel, at 6:30 and 9 p.m. June 30 to July 3. The group is best known for its “Tuxedo Junction” hit. Tickets: $65 and $45, available at www.bluenotehawaii.com. Seating is first-come, first-served, with dinner and beverages options. …
A TV special, “Inspire You and Me,” will air at 9:30 p.m. today (June 25) on K5. It features Roy and Kathy Sakuma, whose names intertwine with ukulele lessons and ukulele festivals, in a joint career that dates back 50 years and tappng thousands of uke-strumming students, young and old alike. …
And that’s Show Biz. …
