The 98th Academy Awards just got a major K-drama twist. South Korean actor Ahn Hyo Seop is trading the romantic comedy sets of Seoul for the red carpet of the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. The actor, known globally for hits like Business Proposal and Dr. Romantic, has been officially confirmed as a guest at the 2026 Oscars, representing his hit animated film, KPop Demon Hunters.
According to his agency, The Present Company, Ahn Hyo Seop received an official invitation to the ceremony. He is scheduled to depart from South Korea on the afternoon of March 14 and will walk the red carpet at the event on March 15 (local time) .
A First-Time Invite for a Breakout Voice Role
This marks Ahn Hyo Seop’s first time attending the Academy Awards since his debut in the entertainment industry. While he is no stranger to awards shows in Asia, this appearance places him on one of the biggest global stages in show business .
He isn’t attending just as a spectator. Ahn is joining the creative team behind the Netflix animated phenomenon KPop Demon Hunters. In the film, he lends his voice to the character Jinu, the leader of the fictional boy group Saja Boys. Jinu is a character with a mysterious and powerful charisma, and fans have affectionately nicknamed him “God Jinu” due to the depth and popularity of the role .
The film has been a massive win for Netflix. It follows the story of a K-pop idol girl group, HUNTR/X, who secretly protect the world from evil spirits while battling their rivals, the Saja Boys. The movie successfully blended Korean folklore with modern music, resonating with audiences worldwide.
‘KPop Demon Hunters’ Brings Korean Culture to the Oscars Stage
The presence of KPop Demon Hunters at the Oscars goes far beyond just a nomination. The film is up for two Academy Awards: Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song for its hit track “Golden” .
To celebrate the film’s cultural impact, the Academy has planned a special performance. The vocalists behind the fictional group HUNTR/X—EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami—will perform “Golden” live during the ceremony. The producers have promised that the performance will not be just a standard song rendition. It will feature “a fusion of traditional Korean instrumentalists and dance,” serving as a tribute to the Korean folklore and cultural roots that inspired the movie .
“This year, our music performances are inspired by two of the most powerful cultural phenomena in film: ‘Sinners’ and ‘KPop Demon Hunters,’ a global pop culture sensation,” said Oscars executive producers Raj Kapoor and Katy Mullan in a joint statement. “These show moments are more than just performances — they expand into cinematic tributes that celebrate the relationship between music and storytelling and why these films resonated so deeply with audiences around the world.”
The track “Golden” has already had an incredible run. It previously won awards at the Golden Globes and made history as the first K-pop genre winner at the Grammy Awards last month .
From Record-Breaking Views to a Confirmed Sequel
The success of KPop Demon Hunters has been staggering. It surpassed Squid Game to become Netflix’s highest-grossing film and topped global music charts, including the Billboard Hot 100 . Just days before the Oscars, on March 12, Netflix announced a multi-year partnership with directors Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans and officially greenlit a sequel to the film, ensuring fans will see more of Jinu and the HUNTR/X crew .
Ahn Hyo Seop’s attendance is also notable because he follows in the footsteps of veteran actor Lee Byung Hun, who was the first South Korean actor to present at the Oscars back in 2016.
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What’s Next for Ahn Hyo Seop?
While he prepares for his Hollywood red carpet moment, Ahn Hyo Seop is also getting ready to return to small screens in Korea. He will star in the upcoming SBS romantic comedy Sold Out On You (also reported as Sold Out Again Today). The drama is scheduled to premiere on April 22. He stars opposite Chae Won Bin, playing a hardworking farmer named Matthew Lee, nicknamed “Mechoori,” who gets involved with a home shopping show host suffering from insomnia .
The 2026 Oscars will be broadcast live on ABC and streamed on Hulu, giving global audiences a chance to see Ahn Hyo Seop represent K-content on the prestigious red carpet.
Also Read: 2026 Awards Season Calendar: Key Dates for Oscars, Grammys, Emmys, Tonys & More
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