The superhero landscape is shifting gears as Disney+ prepares for the highly anticipated streaming debut of Armorsaurs on February 18th. A reimagining of the hit South Korean series Armored Saurus, the show follows a group of elite teen pilots who bond with armored robotic dinosaurs to defend Earth from an extraterrestrial prehistoric army.
The Intersection of Discipline and Digital Influence
Stepping into the cockpit as Joon, the pilot of the formidable Pteranodon-inspired Velox, is newcomer Derrick Kwak. While this marks his major acting debut, Kwak is no stranger to the spotlight; he is a decorated Team USA Taekwondo athlete and a viral content creator who has captivated fans with over 10 million likes on TikTok with his precision and athleticism.
Actor Derrick Kwak plays the role of Joon Park in the Disney+ series, Armorsaurs
In this exclusive interview, we explore how he’s bridging the gap between martial arts mastery and the next great era of mecha-team television.
10 Million Likes: Maintaining Traditional Integrity in a Viral World
Q: You’ve amassed over 10 million likes on TikTok, largely by showcasing the technical precision of Taekwondo. As you transitioned from being an elite athlete to a content creator, how did you balance the desire for entertainment and viral appeal, with the discipline and traditional integrity of being a world-class martial artist?
A: Martial arts is a huge part of my identity. Growing up in a Taekwondo dojang, I have always been eager to share it with my communities. Especially when there was an online exodus during covid, it was easy for me to create videos while I was training at a very high level.
The transition from training as a world-class athlete into creating content online was a seamless experience since they went hand-in-hand. When doing martial arts at a very high level, there is an inherent level of athleticism and artistry that even a non-practitioner can appreciate. The flashy kicks that are seen on screen are a product of years of high-level training.
If it wasn’t for the years of discipline and traditional integrity, I wouldn’t have caught the attention of people online.
Bringing Authentic Taekwondo to the Armorsaurs Cockpit
In Armorsaurs, your character Joon pilots the Pteranodon-based Velox, but even outside the cockpit, your physical performance is a standout. While we see Joon’s versatility during group training sessions—like with the mechanical arrows in Episode 6 “War Games”—it’s clear that your elite Taekwondo background is the foundation of Joon’s explosive ‘black armor’ fighting style.
How did your real-life instincts as a Team USA athlete influence the show’s choreography, and were there specific Taekwondo techniques you were able to translate directly from the competition mat to the screen?
Growing up as a Korean-American, it always bothered me when people would generalize Asian martial arts, so it was such a special honor to showcase Taekwondo on Armorsaurs. I also had the incredible opportunity to film in South Korea and work with a Korean stunt team who created very Taekwondo-specific choreography.
Although there are some differences when filming fights for the screen, the Taekwondo techniques remain the same. Taekwondo has some really cool and powerful spinning kicks which you can catch on the show.
A Modern Successor to the Power Rangers Legacy
Fans and critics are already comparing Armorsaurs to the legendary Power Rangers franchise, noting how it revives that classic “teenagers with attitude” superhero zeitgeist. Growing up in Los Angeles, was that a genre you personally enjoyed, and how does it feel to be part of the show that many are calling the spiritual successor to such a massive pop culture icon?
If you ask any kid in the 2000’s why they enrolled in Taekwondo, I’m willing to bet it was because of Power Rangers, and I’m willing to double bet that they were a Power Ranger for Halloween at least once in their life.
On a real note, Power Rangers is such an iconic franchise and to be even compared to them is such an incredible honor. I hope that Armorsaurs can have the same impact on kids these days, and [that] they can use their imaginations at home to become superheroes and play just like this early 2000’s kid who wore his Red Ranger mask to save the world, all from the confines of his childhood bedroom.
The Los Angeles Influence: From Red Ranger Masks to Disney+ Leads
You’ve built an immense digital community through your own lens and editing. Making the leap to a major Disney+ production means moving from being the director of your own short-form content to being part of a sizeable ensemble cast. What was the most surprising ‘aha!’ moment during the casting or filming process where you realized your skills as a creator directly translated to the screen?
Before shooting, I thought I would be super nervous, but surprisingly, I felt pretty comfortable being in front of the camera. I guess all those hours making videos helped me lock in on set. Most of my content is completely planned, shot, and edited by myself. Typically, I’m the sole subject of the video, so I’m usually alone for most of the process.
Being part of an ensemble cast for Armorsaurs was a totally new and unique experience. I was in the capable hands of such a hard working production team and learned so much from my fellow castmates and crew.
Representation and the Future of the “Gyopo” Experience
The original Armored Saurus is a South Korean production, and Armorsaurs brings that energy to an international audience. As a Korean American who is fluent in the language, how much did the show’s heritage influence your approach to Joon?
First and foremost, it is such an honor to play a Korean-American for an international audience. I remember when I was growing up, there weren’t that many of us in movies or on TV, so I always got really excited when I saw a hyung [“older brother”] on screen. I am so fortunate to be that representation for the next generation of Asian-American kids now.
Cultural Heritage: Bridging the Gap for the Next Generation
I think Armorsaurs did a good job representing my heritage in a tasteful way where I got to bring a lot of my culture to the stage, but it wasn’t my only personality trait. In my approach to Joon, I brought a lot of myself into the character. I was born and raised in the States, and I even went to represent Team USA in a Korean martial art, making me a quintessential Gyopo.
[“Gyopo” is a term used to describe ethnic Koreans who live outside of the Korean peninsula]
It was such an honor to play a teenager practicing Taekwondo, but also be fully integrated with a culturally diverse cast [very] much parallel to my own Asian American experience.
Season one was a great introduction to my Korean culture, and all I have to say is stay tuned for season two for a deeper dive.
What’s Next: K-Dramas and the Road to Season 2
Additionally, with the global explosion of Kdrama, would you ever be open to returning to your roots for a project in Seoul if the right role came along?
Absolutely! I think it would be a fun experience especially due to my own unique cultural experience being Korean American. I know that the beauty standards are tough out there so I got to work on my skincare ASAP.
With Season 1 dropping on February 18th and a two-season deal already in place, Joon and the rest of the Armorsaurs Initiative have a lot of fighting ahead. Without giving too much away, what is one aspect of Joon’s growth—either as a pilot or as a teammate—that you are most excited for fans to witness as they binge all 13 episodes?
Joon went through a lot in season one, and he still has a long way to grow emotionally. He is positioned very well to keep learning in season two so that you can definitely witness his character arc.
So be excited for more growth and more awesome fight scenes. Joon and Velox definitely have a lot of fun in season two, so keep your eyes to the sky for us!
All 13 episodes of Armorsaurs Season 1 are available to stream on Disney+ beginning February 18th, 2026! Thanks again Derrick for sitting down for a chat with us!
You can follow Derrick’s journey, and get the latest scoop on his upcoming projects on his Instagram and TikTok accounts!
Were you an OG Power Rangers Fan? Have you already watched Armorsaurs Season 1?
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☆ In Asian Spaces ☆ Ephesians 6:12 ☆
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