Fans of "Hawaii Five-0" were shocked to hear the news that two of the biggest stars in the series are exiting the show. According to New York Daily, Daniel Dae Kim and Grace Park have decided to leave the series because of issues over pay inequality. This has been one of the most common issues in Hollywood, where celebrities leave the series because of disagreements concerning pay.
Daniel Dae Kim and Grace Park have both been on the show for seven years, and their characters have already become household names for those who have been immaculately following the series.
According to New York Daily, their decision to leave the series was triggered when they failed to have an agreement with CBS to make their pay be the same with their other "Hawaii Five-0" co-stars, Scott Caan and Alex O'Loughlin.
Many of their fans have expressed their disgust and disappointment over the "Hawaii Five-O" exit of Grace Park and Daniel Dae Kim. There were also some comments on social media saying that racial stereotypes are still very much alive in Hollywood, and the case of the two former "Hawaii Five-0" stars is the latest example.
Same tenure, different rates
According to Variety, Grace Park and Daniel Dae Kim were negotiating with CBS to have their pay equal to that of co-stars, Alex O'Loughlin and Scott Caan.
Apparently, their current salary was estimated to be 10-15% less of what O'Loughlin and Caan were receiving, despite the fact that the four of them have been together since the first episode of "Hawaii Five-0." Aside from their pay, O'Loughlin and Caan also reportedly receives percentage points on the show's back end.
A CBS spokesperson has reportedly issued a statement regarding the issue of Kim and Park's exit in "Hawaii Five-0." However, there was no mention of the issue of pay inequality, and the statement leaned more on wishing the two celebrities good luck on their new endeavors.
The vagueness of CBS' statement has led fans to feel more sad and disappointed with the network and the showrunners because it seemed as if they were trying to ignore the main issue why Kim and Park left the series.
Goodbye Kono and Chin
In the upcoming "Hawaii Five-0" season 8, Grace Park and Daniel Dae Kim will no longer be seen in any of the upcoming episodes.
According to New York Daily, the absence of Kono Kalakaua and Chin Ho Kelly, played by Grace Park and Daniel Dae Kim respectively, will be addressed right away in the season premiere. There's still no solid details on whether their characters will be killed in the series or if they will just be depicted as going on retirement or moving to another city.
