‘Cobra Kai’ Star Martin Kove Accused of Biting Co-Star Alicia Hannah-Kim at Fan Convention

Martin Kove, the veteran actor best known for his role as John Kreese in The Karate Kid and Netflix’s Cobra Kai, is under scrutiny after allegedly biting and kissing his co-star Alicia Hannah-Kim without her consent at a fan convention in Washington state.

The incident occurred on Sunday during the final day of the Washington State Summer Con, held at the Washington State Fair & Events Center in Puyallup. According to a report filed by the Puyallup Police Department, Hannah-Kim approached an on-duty officer shortly after the alleged altercation to report what had happened.

The actor, who portrayed the fierce martial arts instructor Kim Da-Eun in the last two seasons of Cobra Kai, told the officer that Kove tapped her on the shoulder to say hello before suddenly biting her on the arm—hard enough to leave visible teeth marks. The police report noted that the bite was severe enough to cause bruising and skin discoloration, with Hannah-Kim saying the bite “nearly drew blood.”

Following the bite, Kove reportedly kissed the spot where he bit her. Hannah-Kim told authorities she did not wish to press charges at this time but asked to file a report in case “the incident continues,” suggesting possible past concerns or a desire to formally document the behavior.

The actor’s husband was present at the time of the encounter, and according to the report, both he and Hannah-Kim confronted Kove about the incident. The confrontation escalated when Kove “exploded on them,” denying any wrongdoing. At that point, the couple directed the police officer to Kove and his son, Jesse Kove—who also works as his father’s agent—to address the situation privately.

When questioned, Kove admitted to biting Hannah-Kim but claimed it was done in jest. He told the officer that the two frequently play-fought during filming for Cobra Kai and that he believed the action would be received in the same lighthearted spirit.

The officer made clear that such behavior, regardless of intent, was unlawful and could result in an assault charge or citation. Kove reportedly acknowledged this and said he had apologized to Hannah-Kim.

Neither actor has made a public statement following the report, and both could not be immediately reached for comment. Summer Con organizers have also not responded to requests for further clarification on whether the event will review its code of conduct or safety protocols in response.

Kove, 78, became a household name in the 1980s for his portrayal of the ruthless Cobra Kai dojo sensei John Kreese in The Karate Kid series. He returned to the role in the acclaimed Cobra Kai reboot, which has earned a loyal following on Netflix. Hannah-Kim joined the show in later seasons, playing a fellow sensei aligned with Kreese’s hardline approach.

The show’s sixth and final season concluded in February, wrapping up a successful multi-year run that reintroduced the Karate Kid franchise to a new generation. The chemistry between Kove and Hannah-Kim’s characters was pivotal to the narrative arc in the final seasons, where both portrayed formidable martial artists.

While the series emphasized intense physical rivalry and staged combat, the real-life incident has highlighted the blurred lines that can sometimes exist between character dynamics and personal boundaries.

The incident also raises broader questions about professionalism at fan conventions, where celebrities interact closely with fans and fellow actors in informal settings. In recent years, many conventions have implemented strict conduct policies to protect attendees and guests alike. However, when misconduct arises between featured celebrities, the consequences—and the responses—are often less clear-cut.

Legal experts say that even if no charges are filed, the behavior described in the report qualifies as unwanted physical contact and could be grounds for civil complaint or professional discipline within the entertainment industry.

For now, the situation remains officially unresolved. Police did not detain or cite Kove at the time of the incident, and no further legal action has been reported. However, the filing of the report suggests that Hannah-Kim may be keeping her options open should the behavior recur or escalate.

The story has already sparked significant conversation among fans online, with some expressing disappointment and concern over the allegations, while others have called for more information before forming judgments. Many noted the importance of respecting personal boundaries—even in long-standing professional relationships or informal public settings.

As of now, neither Netflix nor representatives for Cobra Kai have commented on the incident.

What began as a nostalgic gathering for fans of one of television’s most popular action series has now taken a troubling turn. And while Cobra Kai may have concluded on screen, real-life tensions between its cast members appear to be far from resolved.