In a sitdown with Entertainment Weekly, Choi, who plays firefighter Howie “Chimney” Han in the ABC drama series, said he “fought” Minear over the in-show death of Bobby Nash (Peter Krause), the captain of Chimney’s LAFD station 118.
Have you ever watched a TV show and screamed, “Why would they do that?!” Well, turns out, even the actors feel that way sometimes—especially Kenneth Choi, beloved star of ‘9-1-1’. In a moment of raw honesty, Choi revealed that he didn’t just disagree with the death of a main character—he fought his boss about it. Hard. So what happened behind the scenes of this shocking twist? Why was Choi so emotionally affected? And how did fans—and the industry—respond to this dramatic decision? Buckle up, because this story isn’t just about a plot twist—it’s about passion, power struggles, and the heart that goes into storytelling.
“It was uncontrollable sobbing,” Choi said. “I was laughing at myself saying, ‘I don’t know what is happening! I know this isn’t real! Why am I acting like this?’ But it was devastating to me.” He continued, “Then I just kind of went into those stages of grief. Denial, mostly: This doesn’t make any sense. Why would you do that? You’re kind of killing off our father figure … And he explained creatively why he thought it was the right choice, and I fought him on it. And I continued to fight him on it. I fought him on it up until we kind of did the funeral stuff, because I was thinking: Maybe they’ll pull it back. Maybe they’ll change their minds. Maybe they’ll reverse course.”
Unfortunately, Minear’s mind was made up. In episode 815 of “9-1-1,” entitled “Lab Rats,” Bobby seals off the doors to a lab containing a deadly virus. He traps himself inside in the process, saving his crew from catching the disease.
Following the episode’s premiere, Krause released a statement addressing his character’s dramatic end. “I’ve heard that many fans are upset by this loss and they have a right to be. It is a loss,” Krause said. “That said, it was more than a bold creative choice on a bold show. Bobby Nash was written in sacrifice and he was built for this. First responders risk their lives on the job so that others can see another day. His story arc honors them. We at ‘9-1-1’ salute all the incredible men and women who do these dangerous jobs and strive to keep us safe. Our show is incredibly difficult to make at times with long hours, challenging stunts and elaborate disasters. We couldn’t do it without each other.”
Kenneth Choi’s reaction to that devastating character death wasn’t just about one script—it was about the integrity of storytelling. His emotional confrontation with the showrunners highlights the delicate dance between creativity and consequence. When actors care this deeply, it elevates the work. When fans respond this passionately, it proves how much these stories matter. And when artists challenge decisions, it reminds us that art isn’t just made—it’s lived. In a world obsessed with ratings, Kenneth Choi brought heart. And that, more than any plot twist, is what will keep us watching.
