The New York Times recently spotlighted the intense fan passion surrounding ENHYPEN member Sunghoon during the 2026 Milan Winter Olympics.
In an article titled “An Olympian Quest in Milan: Glimpsing a K Pop Superstar,” the outlet described the scene outside Sunghoon’s hotel as a competition of its own. Reporter Andrew Keh noted that while celebrities are common at the Olympics, “this level of dedication is rare.”
Sunghoon attended the event as a torch relay runner and ambassador for Team Korea. Before debuting as an idol, he trained for 10 years as a figure skater, earning the nickname “Ice Prince” among fans.
According to the report, fans began lining up outside his hotel as early as 7 a.m., staying until after midnight. The article compared the experience to winning medals: seeing Sunghoon walk by was like “winning a bronze medal,” getting an autograph was “winning silver,” and taking a selfie was described as “as rare as winning gold.”
One fan from Milan shared, “ENHYPEN is not holding a concert here, so this is the only chance to see Sunghoon.” Another said that despite the cold and rain, it was “worth the wait” because “Sunghoon is very kind to people and fans.”
The New York Times also captured the tense moment before Sunghoon appeared, describing fans holding their phones tightly “like athletes preparing for a race.” When he finally came out, he smiled and waved as he headed to his vehicle, while fans maintained order.
Reflecting on the moment, the reporter wrote, “There was a rush of adrenaline, but also a sense of emptiness. After waiting so long, he passed by too quickly.”
Sung Hoon also addressed fans during a press conference, saying in Korean, “Whether it is sports or music, I believe we exist only because of the support of our fans,” and adding, “I hope fans are always happy when they see me.”
The report concluded that although competition among fans can sometimes be intense, the overall atmosphere during the week was friendly, highlighting both Sunghoon’s global influence and the dedication of his supporters.
Source: [1]
