Ahn Hyo Seop Shares The Emotional Photoshoot Moment That Brought Him To Tears

Popular actor Ahn Hyo-seop has opened up about a surprisingly emotional moment during his latest fashion shoot while sharing fun behind-the-scenes stories from his recent Hollywood appearance. In a newly released “Off Script” video interview with fashion magazine Cosmopolitan, the actor discussed his life as a global brand ambassador, his deep bond with his pet cat, and the intense culinary training he is undergoing for his highly anticipated upcoming television role.

Ahn Hyo Seop Talks Viral Oscar ‘Fan Guy’ Meme and New Drama Final Table / Cosmopolitan Korea

The “Self-Portrait” Moment That Brought Tears to His Eyes

During the interview, Ahn Hyo-seop looked back on his second official pictorial collaboration with the luxury global beauty brand he represents. He expressed his excitement over the shoot, noting that working with a diverse range of fashion looks and product styles made the entire experience feel incredibly lively and uniquely creative.

When asked to give the stunning pictorial a specific title, the actor chose the name “Self-Portrait” and revealed that a specific artistic camera setup deeply moved him on set:

“There was a very unique sequence where the crew projected the raw photos we had shot earlier directly onto the background wall behind me, and I had to pose in front of my own images. Looking at those reflections of myself during the shoot was such a profoundly moving experience that my eyes actually welled up with tears.”

Ahn Hyo Seop Talks Viral Oscar ‘Fan Guy’ Meme and New Drama Final Table / Cosmopolitan Korea

The actor also laughingly addressed his viral Hollywood moment from March 2026, when he attended the 98th Academy Awards as an official guest. He became an overnight internet meme across global social media platforms after cameras spotted him carrying a small handheld electric fan down the red carpet, earning him the affectionate international nickname “Fan Guy.” Explaining the funny situation, Ahn Hyo-seop recalled that even though it was Los Angeles, the weather that day was exceptionally hot, and the massive production lights beaming down on the outdoor tents made the heat unbearable. “I held up the portable fan simply with the mindset of ‘let’s survive this first,’ and it truly felt like a ray of hope,” he explained. He added with a smile that many Hollywood stars and industry executives at the Oscars openly envied his fan, which eventually made him carry it around with pride.

Mastering Knife Skills for His New Chef Role in ‘Final Table’

Ahn Hyo-seop also discussed his acting transition from his most recent television project. When asked about his similarities to Matthew Lee—his character from his recently wrapped drama series Today is Also Sold Out—he pointed to their shared sense of absolute determination. He noted that they both possess a strong drive to push forward until they successfully achieve their goals. However, he drew a clear boundary between himself and the character, explaining that while Matthew chose to run away to the countryside to avoid reality, he personally prefers to face any life obstacle head-on immediately.

The actor is currently throwing his entire focus into his next major project, a drama series titled Final Table, where he takes on the challenging role of a professional culinary expert named Kang Han.

To look completely natural on screen, he is putting immense hours into actual kitchen training:

• The Training Process: He revealed that he is currently spending his days practicing professional cooking skills, focusing heavily on advanced knife techniques. He shared that practicing complex chopping methods is surprisingly fun and has heavily improved his daily mental focus.
• His Culinary Self-Rating: When asked to rate his current cooking skills out of ten, he humbly replied that because his character is supposed to be an elite, professional chef, his current skills are still under a 0.5 rating by that expert standard.
• His Signature Dish: Despite his low self-rating, he confidently named Bomdong Bibimbap (spring cabbage bibimbap) as his absolute best dish lately, revealing that his secret personal recipe involves adding an extra splash of vinegar to maximize the savory flavor.

Concluding his sweet chat with a nod to his global fanbase, the actor revealed that if he could sing any song live together with his fans at a future gathering, he would choose Coldplay’s iconic anthem “Viva La Vida.” He explained that because the track is a legendary song that absolutely everyone can easily enjoy and sing along to, it would create the ultimate heartwarming moment with the people who support him.