‘Cobra Kai' star Alicia Hannah-Kim breaks silence after Martin Kove bite altercation: I was ‘attacked'

New York Post

2 days ago

Alicia Hannah-Kim is finally speaking out about her altercation with 'Cobra Kai' co-star Martin Kove.
One week after Kove, 78, bit Hannah-Kim's arm at a fan convention in Washington, the 37-year-old actress shared an Instagram video Sunday in which she thanked 'everyone who has reached out to me in the past week.'
9 Alicia Hannah-Kim in her Instagram video.
thealiciahannah/Instagram
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9 Martin Kove at the 'Cobra Kai' series finale premiere in Los Angeles in Feb. 2025.
Getty Images for Netflix
'I know that there's a lot going on in the world right now so I'm going to keep this brief,' Hannah-Kim said. 'I was really enjoying my time at Summer Con. I love meeting you guys in real life. Thank you to Taylor who was my handler and took care of me all weekend.'
'But as you can see, this was a serious incident,' she continued. 'No one wants to be attacked at work, or anywhere really. And I don't think anybody would think this is normal or warranted or acceptable.'
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9 Alicia Hannah-Kim talking about her altercation with Martin Kove.
thealiciahannah/Instagram
Hannah-Kim added, 'I just think that when you are confronted with something like this, it's good to stand up for yourself. It's an important choice to make. I think it's the good choice to make.'
She also stated that her altercation with Kove does not 'represent' her experience with 'Cobra Kai.'
9 Alicia Hannah-Kim, Martin Kove in 'Cobra Kai.'
©Netflix/Courtesy Everett Collection
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'I think everybody could tell that it's a really great vibe and a great cast and everybody else is delightful,' she shared. 'So I don't want this to affect your love for the show and feel free to love on it as hard as you want. I just wanted to come on here, say thank you to everybody, and just clear it up and move on.'
Hannah-Kim captioned the clip, 'Thank you to everyone who has reached out to send love and support. 🫶.'
9 Martin Kove attends the '1923' Season 2 premiere in Los Angeles on February 19.
Getty Images for Paramount+
The incident with Kove occurred at Washington State Summer Con last weekend.
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Both actors were all smiles in footage from the event before things took a turn for the worse.
According to an informational police report obtained by People, Hannah-Kim claimed that Kove bit her in the arm when she tapped her co-star on the shoulder to greet him at their cast booth.
9 Alicia Hannah-Kim attends the 'Cobra Kai' series finale premiere.
FilmMagic
'Martin Kove suddenly grabbed her arm and bit her upper arm so hard it nearly drew blood, and she yelled out in pain,' the documents read. 'Once Martin Kove finished biting her arm, he grabbed her arm again and began kissing it where he had bit her.'
9 Alicia Hannah-Kim shows police her bite mark.
Puyallup Police Dept.
When he was questioned about the incident by police, the 'Karate Kid' actor reportedly 'admitted to biting' Hannah-Kim but claimed 'he did it out of jest.'
In bodycam footage from outside the venue, Hannah-Kim lashed out at Kove and asked him if he was 'raised in a ditch.'
9 Martin Kove and Alicia Hannah-Kim in 'Cobra Kai.'
©Netflix/Courtesy Everett Collection
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The Korean-Australian had a police officer document the bite mark but she declined to press charges.
Kove, who was reportedly escorted out of the fan convention, apologized for the incident in a statement to TMZ.
9 Martin Kove at the 'Cobra Kai' Season 6 premiere in July 2024.
Variety via Getty Images
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'I deeply regret and apologize for my actions regarding the incident with Alicia, a genuinely kind and wonderful person who didn't deserve to be put in this position,' Kove said.
'I've always respected her and considered her a highly professional and talented co-worker on 'Cobra Kai,'' he continued. 'I was being playful in the moment but went too far and there is absolutely no excuse for my behavior.'