Ahn Hyo-seop has had an extraordinary year, balancing his rising K-drama career with a global presence. In addition to starring in the Academy Award-winning Netflix animated film KPop Demon Hunters, attending the Oscars and Met Gala, and serving as a fashion ambassador, the 31-year-old Korean Canadian actor has now made his official solo music debut. He released the track “Something Special” in collaboration with multi-platinum American singer Khalid. The song is part of the FANDOM project, an initiative by Musicow in partnership with Roc Nation.
“I’m feeling pretty great,” Ahn says humbly over Zoom from his home in Seoul. “To be honest, this year hasn’t been the busiest year of my life. I have some time to sleep, but a few big events have come up, so it looks like I’m busy. I’m just really grateful. I’m just happy to be able to do what I do right now.”
Background and Early Career
Ahn Hyo-seop was born in Seoul in 1995 but moved to Canada at a young age. He grew up in Toronto, where he developed a deep love for music. At 17, he returned to Korea to pursue his dream of becoming a singer. He became a trainee at JYP Entertainment, one of Korea’s biggest entertainment companies. After three intense years of training in singing, dancing, and performance, he realized that the pressure was turning his passion into stress. He decided to switch paths and try acting instead, keeping music as a cherished hobby.
His acting debut came in 2015 with the web series Best Couple. He steadily built up his filmography with supporting roles in dramas like Queen of the Ring (2017), Still 17 (2018), and My Father Is Strange (2017). The breakthrough came in 2022 with the romantic comedy Business Proposal, where he played the chaebol heir Kang Tae-moo. The drama became a global hit on Netflix, propelling him to international stardom. He followed up with the fantasy romance A Time Called You (2023) and the action thriller The Story of Park’s Marriage Contract (2023-2024).
In 2025, he expanded into Hollywood animation with KPop Demon Hunters, which won the Oscar for Best Animated Feature. He also made history at the 2026 Met Gala, becoming the first Korean male actor to attend in over a decade. He walked the red carpet in a custom suit, representing a new wave of global K-culture.
The FANDOM Project and Khalid Collaboration
Ahn was approached by Musicow and Roc Nation to join the FANDOM project. He was given a demo of the song without any details about co-artists or producers. The moment he heard the track, he felt an instant connection. “I was actually driving when I was listening to it. It was really sunny outside. I was looking at the Han River, and everything just felt so perfect.” He immediately called his agency to accept the project “no matter what.”
Later, he learned that the song would be produced by industry heavyweights Woo “RAINSTONE” Rhee and Troy “R8DIO” Johnson. But the biggest surprise came when his company revealed that he would be singing with Khalid. “Unless I have a call with Khalid, I’m not going to believe the whole thing is real,” he told his team. Eventually, the two connected via FaceTime. Ahn describes Khalid as incredibly kind and down-to-earth, and they bonded over their shared love of R&B and soul music.
“I was just really happy that I was able to work with Khalid,” he smiles. “He was just very nice in person. I was very psyched to meet him in person.”
The collaboration felt natural and meaningful. Ahn explains that “Something Special” is not just a professional milestone but a personal fulfillment. For years, he had suppressed his musical aspirations, using the Korean word “han” to describe a deep sense of yearning and unresolved emotion. This project allowed him to release that pent-up passion.
Music as a Lifelong Passion
Even during his acting career, Ahn never stopped making music. He sang at fan meetings, played guitar and piano, and enjoyed karaoke with friends. He often imagined himself performing on stage. The role in KPop Demon Hunters included a brief singing moment, but he admits he wanted more. However, the film wasn’t the catalyst for his music debut. “It was an added effect, but it’s not the reason why I want to do music. It’s been my passion my whole life.”
He regularly listens to a wide array of artists, from British bands like Coldplay and Keane to R&B singers like Giveon and Stevie Wonder. He also enjoys indie-rock acts like Sombr, whom he met at the Met Gala. They became friends after sharing a table, and Ahn quickly became a fan of Sombr’s music.
“I listened to his music – and it was really amazing. So Sombr is definitely on the list,” he says of potential future collaborations.
Ahn also plays multiple instruments: piano, violin, guitar, and the traditional Korean gayageum. He believes that real instrument sounds create an irreplaceable harmony, especially in band music. “If I wanted to send a message through music, band music would be the right way to do it.”
Future Music Plans
While acting remains his primary career, Ahn is open to creating more music. He hints that he has been working on something with friends, which “could be a single or could be an album.” He emphasizes that he is not doing this for money but out of pure love for music and a desire to share his life experiences through song.
“It’s going to be about the experiences that I had in my life that I wanted to share,” he reveals. “But nothing’s really decided yet. I’m just grateful to be part of this project with Khalid and this amazing team. I am excited to listen to [my song] on my own Spotify.”
He also dreams of performing live, perhaps at small venues where the intimacy of band music can truly shine. For now, he is focused on the release of “Something Special” and hoping that listeners connect with it emotionally. “I felt like this song could connect with people emotionally, no matter where they're from.”
The track is now available on all streaming platforms through FANDOM, marking a new chapter in Ahn Hyo-seop’s already impressive career. As he balances his dual identity as both actor and singer, he remains grateful for the opportunities that allow him to express himself fully. His journey from a JYP trainee to a global star is a testament to his resilience, talent, and unwavering passion for music.”
Source: Forbes News