Actor Ahn Hyo-seop attended the Academy Awards as a lead voice actor for the Netflix animated film "KPop Demon Hunters".
On the 15th (local time), Ahn turned up the heat on the red carpet at the 98th Academy Awards, held at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.
That night, "KPop Demon Hunters" pulled off a double win, taking both Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song. As the voice actor anchoring the film’s core, Ahn drew strong interest from international media.
His poised demeanor also won over fans worldwide. With a “straight-out-of-a-webtoon” look and a sharp tux, he handled back-to-back interviews in fluent English without missing a beat.
Even amid the high-pressure scene, Ahn was seen checking on staff first and answering every question from foreign correspondents with sincerity. His gentlemanly manners earned praise on-site as a “well-prepared star with solid fundamentals.” Questions about his impeccable suit styling kept coming, too.
Online buzz was just as strong. Clips of Ahn’s interviews and content spread across social media. In the heat of awards night, he was spotted cooling down with a handheld fan―quickly sparking cute nicknames like “Handheld-Fan Guy” and “K-Star’s Red Carpet Must-Have” among fans.
Speaking with local outlets, Ahn shared, “It’s an honor to exchange inspiration with masterful directors,” adding, “I’m enjoying every moment here at the Academy.” His humble yet confident remarks drew positive notices from the press.
Ahn’s Oscars red carpet momentum now heads to the small screen. He returns on April 22 with SBS’s new drama "Sold Out on You". Ahn plays Matthew Lee―a farmer who produces a miracle ingredient, the head of a cosmetics raw-materials company, and a meticulous researcher―promising both intellectual charisma and a heart-fluttering romance.
(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)