Ahn Hyo-seop captivates global audience with cover song and Netflix film success

Actor Ahn Hyo-seop is shaking up the global film market with just his voice.

The Netflix animated film 'K-Pop Demon Hunters' (directed by Maggie Kang and Chris Applehans), in which Ahn Hyo-seop plays the lead role, has been mentioned by the prominent American film magazine Variety as 'a worthy contender for the 2025 Oscar for best animated feature,' rapidly rising as one of the must-see global films representing 2025.

Variety praised the work, stating, "The dynamic and colorful musical journey is a delightful festival that celebrates femininity and cultural pride by combining animation aesthetics with K-POP elements. This Netflix original is a work that deserves to be recognized in the animated institutional sector," emphasizing both artistic quality and cultural significance.

Netflix's 'K-Pop Demon Hunters' is a hybrid action musical animation set in a dual world where members of a globally popular K-POP girl group hunt demons outside the stage. This work has been enhanced by the joint direction of Maggie Kang and Chris Applehans from Sony Pictures Animation, known for producing 'Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse.'

Since its release, the film has entered Netflix's TOP 10 in over 90 countries, ranking first in more than 40 of those countries, creating a box office sensation. It garnered a 97% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, receiving positive reviews in visual style, characters, and action direction, and has been described as "a challenge to the existing animation genre" and "a work that could become a cultural turning point."

The musical achievements are also remarkable. The OST album reached No. 3 on the U.S. Billboard album chart, attracting the attention of music fans, and the track 'Your Idol' climbed to No. 1 on the Spotify Daily Top Songs chart in the U.S., proving the synergy between K-POP and animation.

Ahn Hyo-seop portrayed 'Jinwoo,' the leader of the K-POP group 'Sajaboys' and a grim reaper idol, delivering an impressive performance. Going beyond simple voice acting, he led the narrative with a multidimensional vocal performance, earning praise for "completing the character's narrative and emotions with just his voice," proving his potential and strengths as a Korean actor worldwide.

In particular, the cover video of the theme song 'FREE' that he sang himself surpassed 10 million views on YouTube just a day after release, eliciting explosive responses from global fans. This video, combining K-POP emotions, the sentiment of animation, and the actor's unique emotional line, received accolades for demonstrating that "one voice can move the world," and it also proved his potential for expansion as an artist.

The global film market is also paying attention to his activities. American review outlet Collider commented, "Ahn Hyo-seop perfectly embodied the intelligent and charismatic grim reaper 'Jinwoo.'" On global review platforms like Reddit, it has been noted that "Ahn Hyo-seop's voice acting breathed life into the character. It touched audiences worldwide beyond language and form, reigniting the inherent power of storytelling." Furthermore, reactions have followed stating that "Actor Ahn Hyo-seop's challenge in this animation marks a significant turning point in his career and a symbolic step in introducing Korean identity to the global stage."

'K-Pop Demon Hunters' is expanding its commercial success across various domains including soundtracks, merchandise, and challenges. Among fans, the character 'Jinwoo,' played by Ahn Hyo-seop, is being regarded as "not just a character in animation, but a symbol connected to K-POP fandom's identity."

Regarding this buzz, a representative from The Present Company stated, "This has been evaluated as a cultural declaration and turning point that 'beyond box office success, Korean identity can become a global sensation.' Particularly, the achievements of a Korean actor through voice demonstrate new ways and possibilities for global communication in the creative and content industry."

Another representative emphasized, "Now, Korean actors can move the world with just their voices. Ahn Hyo-seop's 'Jinwoo' is a symbolic milestone that shows how far Korean content can reach."

'Following the global success of 'K-Pop Demon Hunters,' Ahn Hyo-seop is set to return to the screen with the movie 'Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint,' which is scheduled for release on the 23rd. Based on the proven acting spectrum and expanded global influence from this animation, anticipation is growing for what new challenges he will present.

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