Cobra Kai actress Alicia Hannah-Kim records statement on alleged assault by Martin Kove at fan event

On Sunday, June 22, 2025, Alicia Hannah-Kim appeared at Summer Con in Puyallup, Washington, to meet fans together with her Cobra Kai co-stars. On the occasion, she walked up to veteran actor Martin Kove to greet him.

As found in one of the police reports accessed by People magazine, Kove met Alicia Hannah's soft tap on the shoulder with a quick grab of her arm. The innocent-looking party became confrontational as the assault allegedly happened before the eyes of the security on the premises. This jaw-dropping, unexpected scene brought the fans and organizers to a screeching halt.

Details of the alleged assault as recorded in the report

The police report states that Kove, 78, bit Hannah-Kim’s upper arm “so hard it nearly drew blood,” causing her to cry out in pain. After biting, he is said to have kissed the same spot on her arm, which appeared bruised and blue by the time an officer examined it.

Alicia Hannah, 37, described the action as unprovoked and painful. The document emphasizes the suddenness of the attack, noting that she was not expecting any physical contact beyond a simple hello and photo opportunity.

Immediate response and filing of the report

Following the bite, Hannah-Kim and her husband, actor Sebastian Roche, confronted Kove about the pain and inappropriateness of his actions. Kove reportedly became defensive, insisting that his behavior was meant in jest and akin to playful scenes on the show’s set.

An on-site law enforcement officer confirmed the bite mark and offered to take action. Although Hannah-Kim chose not to press charges, she requested an official incident report “in case this continues” and received a case number after signing an affidavit.

Background on the actors involved in Cobra Kai

Martin Kove has portrayed the ruthless dojo master John Kreese since the original Karate Kid film in 1984, returning for both sequels and all six seasons of Cobra Kai on Netflix. Alicia Hannah-Kim joined the series in season five as Kim Da-Eun, gaining recognition for her strong, disciplined character.

Despite playing a mentor-student dynamic on screen, the two actors seldom interact off-camera in such an intense manner. Their differing tenures on the show, Kove as a founding character and Hannah-Kim as a newer addition, highlight he unusual nature of this off-stage conflict.

Potential impact on future fan events and cast relations

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This incident highlights challenges in managing cast interactions with fans and colleagues during public appearances. While Alicia Hannah and her husband declined further legal action, the incident report remains on file should any similar situations arise.

Organizers of future conventions may reconsider the security protocols to prevent unwanted physical contact. Cobra Kai producers have not publicly commented, and Netflix has yet to release a statement. Fans will be watching closely for any updates or changes to how cast meet-and-greets are handled moving forward.

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