‘K-pop Demon Hunters’ star Ahn Hyo Seop headed to 'Jimmy Fallon Show'

31 Dec 2025, 02:28 by Minsoo-Kim · allkpop

Actor Ahn Hyo Seop is set to appear on a major U.S. talk show in the new year.

On December 31 KST, his agency The Present Company announced that Ahn will appear on 'The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon' (hereafter Jimmy Fallon Show), one of America’s most influential late-night talk shows.

Ahn’s appearance goes beyond a simple overseas variety show outing. The Jimmy Fallon Show is widely regarded as one of the top talk shows in the United States, frequented by globally influential stars, and his booking symbolically underscores Ahn’s growing stature in the global content market.

Throughout the past year, Ahn has maintained a packed schedule with the release of the Netflix film ‘K-pop Demon Hunters’, the film ‘Omniscient Reader’, and the filming of the SBS drama ‘Sold Out Again Today’. In particular, ‘K-pop Demon Hunters’, in which he participated as a voice actor, surpassed 500 million cumulative global views 27 weeks after release, becoming one of the most popular films in Netflix history.

The film earned the Best Animated Feature award from the New York Film Critics Circle (NYFCC) and received nominations in three Golden Globe categories and two Critics Choice categories. Ahn’s character, Jinwoo, voiced by the actor, sparked a global fandom phenomenon, while the soundtrack he participated in achieved nominations in five Grammy Award categories and earned double platinum certification.

Through the key role of “Saja Boys’ Jinwoo,” Ahn anchored the film’s emotional arc and narrative progression. His performance was praised for going beyond conventional voice acting to convincingly establish the character’s identity and emotional depth, drawing strong acclaim from global audiences. The project clearly demonstrated how Korean actors can expand their presence within global animation IPs.

Interest in Ahn continues to grow with the sequential international release of ‘Omniscient Reader’, which has been sold to 113 countries. Despite keeping promotional activities limited—participating in interviews with CBS News and TIME magazine mostly via remote or virtual formats—industry attention and global media interest have remained steady.

His first official U.S. broadcast appearance will be on NBC’s The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. In addition, year-end greeting segments through major U.S. networks including CNN are also planned, signaling sustained engagement rather than a one-off spotlight.

Ahn’s strength lies in expansion and accumulation. His experiences across television, film, animation, and stage form a continuous narrative rather than isolated efforts, while his consistent work ethic has solidified his personal brand. He attracts attention without excessive exposure and convinces without spectacle—key traits that define his current standing.

This trajectory continues with the SBS drama ‘Sold Out Again Today’, scheduled to air in 2026. The series emphasizes interpersonal dynamics over visual flamboyance, offering Ahn another avenue to showcase the acting spectrum he has steadily built. His balanced navigation between global projects and local storytelling further cements his position as an irreplaceable actor.

Moving forward at his own pace without relying on fleeting buzz, Ahn Hyo Seop is quietly but decisively shaping a clear direction and an enduring identity. As 2026 approaches, his career is already entering its next phase.

Meanwhile, Ahn’s episode of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon will air on January 12 at 11:35 p.m. (ET/PT) on NBC, with streaming available the following day on Peacock.

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