Daniel Dae Kim tests positive for coronavirus, slams 'Chinese virus' label: 'I got it in America'

Daniel Dae Kim.
(Image credit: Mat Hayward/Getty Images for The Latinx House)

Daniel Dae Kim is calling out anti-Asian discrimination amid the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic after revealing he has tested positive.

The Hawaii Five-0 and Lost star in an Instagram post on Thursday said he tested positive for the new coronavirus after he began to feel scratchiness in his throat. Since then, though, he said he's been much better and is "pretty close" to "100 percent."

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"Please stop the prejudice and senseless violence against Asian people," Kim said. "Randomly beating elderly, sometimes homeless Asian-Americans is cowardly, heartbreaking, and it's inexcusable."

He also called out those, including President Trump, who continue to insist on labeling the coronavirus a "Chinese virus" because it originated in Wuhan.

"Yes, I'm Asian," Kim said. "And yes, I have coronavirus. But I did not get it from China. I got it in America, in New York City. And despite what certain political leaders want to call it, I don't consider the place where it's from as important as the people who are sick and dying. ... The name-calling gets us nowhere."

Kim in his Instagram video additionally warned young people "who think this is not serious, please know that it is, and if you treat this without care, you are potentially endangering the lives of millions of people, including your loved ones." Brendan Morrow

View this post on InstagramHi everyone- yesterday I was diagnosed with COVID-19, the disease caused by the coronavirus. Looks like I’ll be ok, but I wanted share my journey with you in the hopes that you find it informative or helpful. Hope you all stay safe, calm, and above all, healthy.A post shared by Daniel Dae Kim (@danieldaekim) on Mar 19, 2020 at 10:34am PDT

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Brendan Morrow

Brendan worked as a culture writer at The Week from 2018 to 2023, covering the entertainment industry, including film reviews, television recaps, awards season, the box office, major movie franchises and Hollywood gossip. He has written about film and television for outlets including Bloody Disgusting, Showbiz Cheat Sheet, Heavy and The Celebrity Cafe.