Howard Han

**Howard "Chimney" Han** is a main character on *9-1-1* who works as a firefighter paramedic at Station 118 of the Los Angeles Fire Department. He debuts in the first episode of the first season of *9-1-1* and is portrayed by Kenneth Choi.

## History

### Early Life

Howard and his father didn't have a close relationship, even when they lived in the same house. Mr. Han was always distant to both Howard and his mother when they were young. Howard tried so many times to build a relationship with his father until he finally gave up after he realized his father was not only interested in being a parent. Howard and his family came over to California when Howard was 5 for his father's work, which was supposed to last for 2 years but actually lasted for 6. Howard's mother didn't want to go back to Korea, which didn't go down well with Howard's father. Mr Han left for Korea without them assuming that they would eventually join him there which never happened. His mom ended up getting cancer and unfortunately died before Howard's 15th birthday. After his mom died, Howard lived with Kevin Lee's parents when they took him in. Howard didn't know what he wanted to do with his life, which is why he tried many many jobs. He ended up occasionally working for Kevin at the bar that he managed. Eventually, it was destroyed during a flash fire, but Howard managed the scene properly until the LAFD arrived, earning him some applause.

Despite the loss of the bar, Howard decided that he wanted to become a firefighter and Kevin did the same. Kevin's parents weren't happy with Kevin's decision to risk his life but both of them insisted that it was what they wanted to do. The two powered through firefighter training but were separated when it came to their graduation. They were sent to separate firehouses in LA. Howard was sent to Station 118 and Kevin to Station 133. When he arrived at Station 118, Howard was forced by the captain to do the grunt work and wasn't allowed to go with the other firefighters to the emergencies, resuting in him fabricating his missions whereas Kevin was having a good time. Eventually, Eli, one of the paramedics, took pity on Howard and asked to have him on his service to which Howard enjoyed, so much so that he decided to become a firefighter-paramedic.

During a building fire, Howard responded to it Nd he finds Kevin also present. Kevin was soon killed when trying to save a pregnant woman. Howard moved out of Kevin's parents' place after Kevin's funeral and went back to work not long after. At a building collapse incident, Howard finds many of the victims showing signs of gas poisoning and suspects an explosion. Coupled with the fact that Tommy Kinard was stuck inside, he correctly deduces the incident damaging a gas main, and gets Athena to evacuate everyone around before barging inside. Howard makes it out with Tommy just as the explosion occurs, and he earns the respect of other firefighters.

### Nickname

When Hen joins the 118, he introduces himself as Howie, and he is called that during the entire episode (S02E09, Hen Begins).

In "Stuck", Hen wants to tell Christopher Diaz the story behind Chimney's nickname but he stops her.

In "Dosed", Taylor Kelly asks about that story and Hen tells her it's "Not one you can tell on TV".

In "Seize The Day", Albert (Chimney's Half-Brother) asks "So how did he get the nickname Chimney?" to Hen, though it was not answered.

In "Alone Together", Buck and Chimney search for an infant in the aftermath of a landslide. When the baby monitor signal they follow leads to a house buried up to its eaves in mud, the house’s chimney is the only (or optimal) way in. As Buck prepares to lower Chim down the chimney, Chim tells Buck that “in the future if anybody asks, this is how [he] got [his] name”, implying the original source of the nickname was not a similar rescue.

In "In Another Life", Buck goes to Chimney's house in his coma dream where they do not know each other. Chim threatens to call the police but Buck proves they know each other by telling him he knows why they call him Chimney. However, that part of the conversation isn't shown.

## Personality

Howard is shown as playful, loyal, and devoted. He never goes back on a promise, and always wants to do what's right. He has a strong desire to do what he *feels* is right, instead of what's actually right.

## Relationships

### Henrietta Wilson

Hen has a close relationship with "Chimney" Han. They call each other "best friend" on multiple occasions and often come to each others' aid. When Hen first joined the 118, Chimney was the first to show her compassion and friendship. They later bonded over becoming paramedics and discrimination at work. Their friendship extended beyond work, as shown with Chimney's health issues and through Hen's relationship issues.

### Maddie Buckley

Chimney and Maddie quickly develop a close friendship, fueled by their shared interests and sense of humor. Buck notices their closeness first, but the couple eventually become aware of their attraction. They face multiple difficulties in their relationship, starting with Maddie's ex-husband Doug stabbing Chimney and kidnapping Maddie on what was intended to be their first date. However, the couple makes it through their traumas and difficulties intact. Season three ends with the couple happily embracing after learning that they are having a child. In Blindsided, Maddie gave birth to a baby girl and named her Jee-Yun after Chimney's late mother. They suffered through difficulties in their relationship due to Maddie's postpartum depression and in "Fear-O-Phobia" they claimed that they had broken up. However, they get back together in "Let the Games Begin" with Maddie proclaiming that she is done running. In "Love Is in the Air", Chimney and Maddie become engaged.

## Trivia

* Chimney is abnormally terrified of reptilians, having held back when confronted with pythons and lizards.
* Chimney turned 40 years old in "Seize of the Day".

## Appearances

 "**Heartbreaker**"

 "**Haunted**"
 "**Fight or Flight**"

 "Athena Begins"
 "**Pinned**"

 "**Jinx**"

 "**Ghost Stories**"
 "**Fear-O-Phobia**"

*Note:
\* denotes voice only appearance.*

 "**Cursed**"
 "**Mixed Feelings**"

## References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "Chimney Begins"
2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "Seize the Day"