Fifteen years after Lost concluded, a new Prime Video crime thriller series appears to validate a thought I had about one of the actors from the ABC show. Like many, I still regard Lost as one of the greatest sci-fi series ever, but more importantly, I remember how certain actors from the show left me believing their best performances were still to come.
Even though Lost ended on a divisive note, it ran for six strong seasons, and its legacy continues to significantly influence modern television. Various factors contributed to the show’s success, with its captivating puzzle-box storytelling being a key element. However, it would not have achieved such popularity without its outstanding performances.
Nearly all the main cast members in Lost effectively embodied their characters, allowing viewers to become fully immersed in the strange experiences they encountered on the central island. After watching one particular actor in the series, I couldn’t help but ponder the immense potential they possessed on screen. A new show confirms that my belief was well-founded.
Butterfly Further Shows That Daniel Dae Kim Is A Great Leading Star
Before Daniel Dae Kim appeared in Lost, he was part of numerous significant film and television projects. For example, he played a soldier in Hulk, briefly appeared as Doc Ock’s lab assistant in Spider-Man 2, and portrayed a lawyer in Angel. Nevertheless, Lost was one of the first shows that allowed him to shine as a lead character.
The ABC series provided him with ample screen time to showcase his acting abilities. Daniel Dae Kim seized the opportunity and effectively conveyed the feelings of alienation and isolation that Kwon experienced when he first arrived on the island with his wife. The actor’s depiction of his character’s struggles and gradual catharsis in Lost demonstrated his potential as a leading man.
Fifteen years after Lost, Daniel Dae Kim has finally realized that promise with his new Amazon Prime Video series, Butterfly, where he stars as the protagonist. In this series, the Lost star skillfully portrays the inner turmoil of a hardened former intelligence operative who seeks to amend his past mistakes and reconnect with his estranged daughter.
Lost First Proved That Daniel Dae Kim Deserved To Lead More Shows
Daniel Dae Kim was born in Korea but relocated to the US at age two. As a result, he became more comfortable speaking English than Korean, which added an extra layer of challenge when portraying Jin-Soo Kwon in Lost. However, he dedicated himself to practicing his Korean to ensure that his delivery felt natural and true to his character in the series.
Did You Know: To prepare for his role in Lost, Daniel Dae Kim reportedly (via Asia Society) studied the mannerisms of his father’s friends because they were Korean and “came over at the same time Jin was exposed to the Western world.“
Jin-Soo Kwon is arguably not among the most likable characters in Lost‘s early arcs, especially due to how controlling and stern he seems toward his wife, Sun. Nevertheless, Daniel Dae Kim did an exceptional job of portraying him as layered and less like a one-dimensional villain, demonstrating that he always deserved to be a leading man in many shows even after Lost.
