Actor Ahn Hyo-seop is making a significant impact on major U.S. television programs, solidifying his global influence.
On January 12, Ahn appeared on NBC’s ‘The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon’ and followed it up with a guest spot on NBC’s flagship morning show, ‘Today Show,’ on January 13, engaging with viewers across North America.
This move coincides with the explosive global success of the Netflix animated film ‘K-Pop Demon Hunters,’ where Ahn contributes his voice to the character Jin-woo, adding further significance to his presence.
Ahn’s appearance on the ‘Today Show,’ a leading NBC morning news and lifestyle program since 1952, signifies his rising prominence in the North American mainstream market.
This surge of excitement culminated at the 83rd Golden Globe Awards on January 11.
The film ‘K-Pop Demon Hunters,’ featuring Ahn, won Best Motion Picture – Animated and Best Original Song, receiving acclaim for both its quality and popularity.
Director Maggie Kang expressed gratitude to those who believed a film deeply rooted in Korean culture could resonate globally, highlighting a moment when Korean culture and sentiment connect with the world through a unified language.
Across America, young audiences in character costumes are filling theaters; sing-along screenings are taking place nationwide, and famous celebrities and sports stars are sharing challenges based on the film’s choreography and music, all proving ‘K-Pop Demon Hunters’ has become a cultural phenomenon.
Through this film, Ahn embraced the new challenges of English dubbing and starring as a leading character in a Hollywood animation, successfully demonstrating his appeal in the global content market.
Ahn has had a busy start to 2026, beginning with his attendance at CES in Las Vegas on January 4, followed by appearances at the Golden Disc Awards in Taipei, and promotions in New York on the ‘Jimmy Fallon Show’ and ‘Today Show,’ solidifying his status as a global icon.
Ahn is preparing for the release of his upcoming SBS drama, ‘Today, I Sold Out’.
Image source: The Present Company
