Cobra Kai’s Martin Kove Under Scrutiny After Biting Costar at Summer Con
Marvelous. Just when you thought fan events were safe, Cobra Kai’s veteran actor Martin Kove turns a friendly greeting into a dental disaster. According to a police report obtained by E! News, on June 22 at Puyallup, Washington’s Summer Con, Alicia Hannah-Kim—who plays Kim Da-Eun on Netflix’s hot karate series—stopped by his booth and tapped him on the shoulder to say hi. Instead of a handshake or a wave, Kove reportedly “grabbed her arm and bit her upper arm so hard it nearly drew blood,” prompting Hannah-Kim to cry out in pain. The officer on scene noted her arm “already turning blue and bruising” before Kove then “grabbed her arm again and began kissing it where he had bit her.”
When Hannah-Kim’s handler and husband, fellow actor Sebastian Roché, intervened, Kove allegedly “exploded,” accusing them of overreacting and insisting he’d done nothing wrong. Unsatisfied, Hannah-Kim flagged down the responding officer, who documented her side of the story—complete with photographic evidence of the bruise—and confronted Kove. At that point, Kove sheepishly “admitted to biting Alicia’s arm,” claiming he thought it was “jest” and part of the playful roughhousing they reportedly do on set. Hannah-Kim countered that it legitimately hurt and was illegal.
The officer made it clear that under Washington state law, unprovoked biting qualifies as assault. Kove, once confronted with the legal implications—and possibly picturing jail time or a citation—offered an apology and insisted he “did not mean for it to be perceived as illegal.” Hannah-Kim ultimately declined to press charges but requested an official report “in case this continues.” The administration at Summer Con then opted to send Kove home, and he was escorted off the premises without providing a voluntary handwritten statement. In the officer’s words, “this behavior will not be tolerated in the future.”
Yes, it’s a circus when Hollywood’s teeth come into play, and as your ever-grumpy guru, I told you this would end poorly. Who thought a simple hello could spiral into an alleged assault by an on-screen sensei? Did anyone expect better decorum at a public event? No? Thought so. And with that, dear reader, is why we can’t have nice things.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and E! News, Puyallup Police Department report
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed
