'KPop Demon Hunters' Ahn Hyo-seop Explains His Oscars Red Carpet Nickname

Actor Ahn Hyo-seop has shared how he picked up a new nickname on the Oscars red carpet. He attended the event for the Netflix film "KPop Demon Hunters," and he left with the name "Fan guy."

Ahn appeared on the JTBC variety show "Knowing Bros" in an episode that aired on the 24th. He joined Hong Hwa-yeon, Jang Ryul and Jung Yoo-jin, his co-stars in the new Saturday-Sunday drama "Final Table" (Paineol Teibeul).

His entrance played off his role as Kang Han, a genius chef. The show greets guests with a "transfer student" introduction, and Ahn turned his into a cooking demo. He pulled a frying pan out of his bag, set his transfer form on top and showed off some flashy wok tossing. Then he served the hosts himself.

Ahn voiced the character Jinu in "KPop Demon Hunters." He said the weather was hot on the day of the Oscars red carpet. Even in a full suit, he never let go of his handheld fan.

"It could have made me look a little uncool," he said. "But I gave up my pride and carried it around so I could stay cool."

He also talked about how his career began with the violin. Ahn once played violin in an orchestra led by conductor Gum Nanse on the music variety show "Always Cantare" (Eonjena Kantare). A director who noticed him on that show cast him, and he made his acting start in a one-episode drama.

"Because of that, I thought a lot about how I should work hard at everything," he said.

Music is still part of his work today. When the hosts learned he had released a collaboration with pop star Khalid, they were impressed. "You really have a lot of talent," they said.

Ahn also used the episode to promote "Final Table." The drama follows Korean chefs from around the world who gather for "The Table: K Chef 2026," a competition to find the best Korean cook. It mixes big, showy dishes with each chef's personal story. Ahn plays Kang Han, a genius chef who also goes by the name Chris K.

Asked what he shares with the character, Ahn kept it simple. "The character is positive and doesn't have any rough edges," he said. "I think I just played him comfortably, in my own way of talking."

He and his castmates showed an easy bond on set, and Ahn made a point of thanking them.

"I was a little nervous at first, but my friends here helped me a lot, so I was able to finish happily," he said. "Thank you."