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Fangirl Friday: Daniel Henney

 This post is 2 years late, but today's subject is Daniel Henney! He is an actor I've loved for many years and had an extreme fixation on in 2023. If I'd had written this back then, it'd be incredibly long, so it's almost a good thing I waited to write it.

NOW if you are unfamiliar with Daniel Henney, he is currently portraying al'Lan Mandragoran on Amazon Prime's The Wheel of Time. He is also known for portraying Matt Simmons in Criminal Minds and its spinoff, Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders, as well as his successful film and television career in South Korea. He's also a model, which should come as no surprise. I mean, look at the man. He's 6'2 and absolutely gorgeous.

Daniel Henney as Agent Zero in X-Men Origins: Wolverine, 2009

My journey with Daniel began with his portrayal of Agent Zero way back when in the long forgotten X-Men Origins: Wolverine. In all honesty, I did not care about the character so I didn't pay him much attention.  But that was definitely the first role I saw him in because my brothers and I had the film on DVD and watched it more than a few times.

Then I saw his first appearance on Criminal Minds in the episode "Beyond Borders," which launched the spinoff of the same name. I was immediately charmed by the father of four, but I wouldn't say he was don't of my favorite characters of the series at the time.

Tadashi Hamada from Big Hero 6, 2014

Then I watched Disney's Big Hero 6, where he voiced Tadashi Hamada. I instantly fell in love with Tadashi and his voice, but I don't think I looked up who voiced him. But I will say Tadashi is one of my favorite Disney characters, despite how little screentime he gets. I absolutely adore him, and Daniel's voice acting is mostly to blame, besides the fact that Tadashi is a hero and deserved more than he got.

I am unsure if I saw him in Criminal Minds first or watched Big Hero 6 first. Both were in the same year, so it could be either, but I do know I had no idea that Matt and Tadashi were portrayed by the same actor until YEARS later.

Daniel Henney with co-star Adam Rodriguez in Criminal Minds

Around 2017ish, I watched Criminal Minds in full. It is one of my three favorite shows of all time, but I'd watched it chopped up whenever it was on TV, so I never knew full storylines or which characters appeared in what years. Getting to watch Matt on the main BAU team made me appreciate him more, but again, I wouldn't say he was my favorite. I was in my Luke Alvez era at that time. But Matt was definitely on my mind, because I do remember writing a scene in my unpublished Criminal Minds fanfiction where my OC flirted at him and commented on his good looks before learning he was married with a family.

Daniel Henney as al'Lan Mandragoran in The Wheel of Time

Then I watched a few random episodes of The Wheel of Time with my parents, and I recognized him, but didn't know why. So I had to look up who played al'Lan Mandragoran, and that is the first time I knew who Daniel Henney was. Then that inspired me to rewatch Criminal Minds again.

That second rewatch took me over a year, and by the time the "Beyond Borders" episode came up again, I had forgotten I had Googled Daniel before. It was March 5, 2023, when I watched the episode. I know that, because that was the DAY I fell in love with Daniel and Matt. I only know the specific date thanks to my Tumblr. That was the day the fixation began. All because I really do love his voice, and I saw this photo of him modeling that I still adore.

Daniel Henney as Ryan in The Spy: Undercover Operations, 2013

Usually, when I fixate on an actor, I try to go through their filmography. It is a very fun hobby and exposes me to films or shows I'd never even give the light of day to otherwise. Going through Daniel's filmography was one of the most fun I've had because I got to check out Korean films that I'd never have watched otherwise, and some I very much enjoyed. I didn't get to complete his filmography due to the fact that I am American and have limited access to his Korean roles.

One of his best performances was his portrayal of James Parker in My Father. He played an American soldier who is searching for his birth father, who turns out to be a criminal serving prison time in South Korea. Daniel gave a compelling and powerful performance, and he even sings twice in the film. You can add singer to his resume.

Daniel Henney and Hyun Bin on the set of
Confidential Assignment 2: International

He was in Confidential Assignment 2: International, as FBI agent, Jack. I am a low-key completionist when it comes to movies. So I cannot watch a sequel without watching the first installment. I fell in love with this franchise I very much loved Daniel's portrayal of Jack and his onscreen rivalry with his co-star, Hyun Bin's character, Im Cheol-ryong. The chemistry between Daniel and Hyun Bin makes me want another film with them working together. I'd pay good money for that.

Another fun role of his is Ryan in The Spy: Undercover Operation. Ryan is the film's villain, who ends up having a romantic tryst with the film's protagonist, Chul-soo, while also being a disgraced spy from Korea who was tortured by the CIA. I don't know how else to explain it. It is a film I recommend. It's a comedy and worth the watch.

Daniel Henney as Sam Chao in Shanghai Calling, 2012

Also on his filmography is what has become one of my favorite films of all time, Shanghai Calling. In the film, he portrays lawyer Sam Chao, whose firm sends him to China to deal with a client who has relocated there. It is a romantic comedy, and Sam's love interest is portrayed by Eliza Coupe. Daniel and Eliza's onscreen chemistry truly makes the film. I never liked rom-coms, but this one really won me over, and I will share the gospel of Shanghai Calling until my last breath. It's one of my comfort films.

He was also in a medical drama, Three Rivers, where he played Dr. David Lee. The show was abruptly cancelled after 13 episodes, but I was able to find the episodes and watch and I loved it. I wish we had gotten more. Dr. David Lee still lives rent-free in my head.

Daniel Henney with his co-stars that make up the
Simmons family in Criminal Minds

NOW I get to ramble about Daniel's portrayal of Matt Simmons in Criminal Minds. I will definitely be writing a Fangirl Friday post about Matt in the future. He's become one of my favorite fictional characters of all time. He is a loving husband, active father of five, and a dedicated BAU agent. I absolutely adore this portrayal. Daniel's acting is incredible already, but the things he had to face in this show really displayed his talent. Two of my favorite episodes are "Saturday" and "Ghost," which coincidentally are back-to-back episodes in season 15.  In "Saturday," we see a stressed-out Matt trying to put together the nursery for his new baby, and he discusses his anxieties about affording his children's college tuition. The episode ends with his wife, Kristy, giving birth to their fifth child, Rose. Then "Ghost" sees Matt returning to work after paternity leave. He gets kidnapped along with his teammate, Luke Alvez, but a biker gang from their past. The trauma Matt and Luke experience in this episode is a stark difference from the previous episode. In an earlier episode, we see Matt work from home as he is on dad duty, keeping his kids occupied while his wife is on bed rest. The many facets of Matt Simmons are expertly performed by Daniel, and I will forever be ride or die for Matt because of his performance.

I quickly mentioned Daniel's modeling career and I don't know how to talk about it other than, I do believe he is one of the most attractive men to have ever graced this planet. That's all I have to say.

Despite my fixation dying, I vow to continue supporting him forever. He is a great actor to watch perform, and I am looking forward to his future projects. Hollywood needs to get with the program and give him a big film role. He can definitely carry a leading role and become a heartthrob for American entertainment if only he is given the chance.

Please check out his filmography! If you became a fan of his because of The Wheel of Time, check out his other work! Have a great weekend!

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