Cobra Kai’s Alicia Hannah-Kim Recalls ‘Utter Fear’ on Yuji Okumoto’s Face Before They Kissed: ‘He Was Afraid’ (Exclusive)

Mar. 15, 2025

Alicia Hannah-Kim and husband Sebastian Roché.Photo:Gregg DeGuire/Variety via Getty

Gregg DeGuire/Variety via Getty

Alicia Hannah-Kiminstilled “utter fear” in herCobra Kaicostar.The actress, 37, exclusively told PEOPLE — during a joint interview with her husband,1923actor Sebastian Roché— about her combat-infused kiss withYuji Okumotofor thesixthandfinal season ofCobra Kai.“I was really excited for that day,” she recalled, revealing what she told Okumoto, 65. “ ‘I’ve been married for 11 years, pucker up, Yuji, we’re going to get it on,’ and he just looked at me in the van with this utter fear. He was afraid. His eyes got really big and he was chewing gum. He goes, ‘Okay.’ ”In the scene from episode 8 of season 6, her character Kim Da-Eun has an intense conversation with his character Chozen Toguchi before they engage ina fight that culminates in them smooching.Yuji Okumoto as Chozen in a ‘Cobra Kai’ scene.Courtesy of NetflixRoché, 60, remembered the public’s reaction to his wife’s onscreen kiss with Okumoto. “It’s amazing how well the fandom received it,” he told PEOPLE. “The fandom loved it though. They really loved it.”Hannah-Kim quipped, “Who doesn’t love a little romance in Barcelona?”Her husband replied, “Except Father Renaud,” referring to his1923character, a Catholic priest. “A little romance … It’s not happening.”Alicia Hannah-Kim as Kim Da-Eun in a ‘Cobra Kai’ scene.Courtesy of NetflixIn an interview with PEOPLE about training for fight scenes, herCobra KaicostarsRalph MacchioandWilliam Zabkapreviously compared it to “running a marathon.” “You have to be an athlete to do this show, and it’s kept us in shape,” said Zabka, 59, who plays Johnny Lawrence.Macchio, 63, who plays rival Daniel LaRusso, agreed, adding that martial arts techniques are great for his muscles, strength, focus, balance and core.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.“It’s funny, back in 1980-whatever, I was like, ‘Well, thank God, I don’t have to do this ever again!’ ” Macchio said, referring to hisKarate Kidrole. “Little did I know, and now I’m like, ‘You know what? I’m taking pride in it because at my age right now, this is good. This is really good. And I am prideful of it.’ ”Cobra Kaikicked off its final season with the first of three parts on July 18 on Netflix. Part 2 premiered on Nov. 28, and part 3 dropped on Feb. 13.

Alicia Hannah-Kiminstilled “utter fear” in herCobra Kaicostar.

The actress, 37, exclusively told PEOPLE — during a joint interview with her husband,1923actor Sebastian Roché— about her combat-infused kiss withYuji Okumotofor thesixthandfinal season ofCobra Kai.

“I was really excited for that day,” she recalled, revealing what she told Okumoto, 65. “ ‘I’ve been married for 11 years, pucker up, Yuji, we’re going to get it on,’ and he just looked at me in the van with this utter fear. He was afraid. His eyes got really big and he was chewing gum. He goes, ‘Okay.’ ”

In the scene from episode 8 of season 6, her character Kim Da-Eun has an intense conversation with his character Chozen Toguchi before they engage ina fight that culminates in them smooching.

Yuji Okumoto as Chozen in a ‘Cobra Kai’ scene.Courtesy of Netflix

Courtesy of Netflix

Roché, 60, remembered the public’s reaction to his wife’s onscreen kiss with Okumoto. “It’s amazing how well the fandom received it,” he told PEOPLE. “The fandom loved it though. They really loved it.”

Hannah-Kim quipped, “Who doesn’t love a little romance in Barcelona?”

Her husband replied, “Except Father Renaud,” referring to his1923character, a Catholic priest. “A little romance … It’s not happening.”

Alicia Hannah-Kim as Kim Da-Eun in a ‘Cobra Kai’ scene.Courtesy of Netflix

In an interview with PEOPLE about training for fight scenes, herCobra KaicostarsRalph MacchioandWilliam Zabkapreviously compared it to “running a marathon.” “You have to be an athlete to do this show, and it’s kept us in shape,” said Zabka, 59, who plays Johnny Lawrence.

Macchio, 63, who plays rival Daniel LaRusso, agreed, adding that martial arts techniques are great for his muscles, strength, focus, balance and core.

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

“It’s funny, back in 1980-whatever, I was like, ‘Well, thank God, I don’t have to do this ever again!’ ” Macchio said, referring to hisKarate Kidrole. “Little did I know, and now I’m like, ‘You know what? I’m taking pride in it because at my age right now, this is good. This is really good. And I am prideful of it.’ ”

Cobra Kaikicked off its final season with the first of three parts on July 18 on Netflix. Part 2 premiered on Nov. 28, and part 3 dropped on Feb. 13.

source: people.com