Chloé Zhao, Bowen Yang, Daniel Dae Kim, ‘k-pop Demon Hunters’ Honoured At The 2026 Unforgettable Awards

Asian and Pacific Islander excellence successful intermezo took centre shape successful Los Angeles this play arsenic Character Media and GoldenTV hosted nan 2026 Unforgettable Awards — an yearly ceremony spotlighting achievements crossed film, tv and culture.

Held astatine nan Fairmont Century Plaza, nan evening brought together a cross-section of imaginative heavyweights and rising stars. Among nan night’s honourees were Hamnet head Chloé Zhao, Butterfly star Daniel Dae Kim, Saturday Night Live alum Bowen Yang, and sound actors Arden Cho and Ji-young Yoo from nan animated deed KPop Demon Hunters.

GoldenTV CEO Takashi Cheng opened proceedings earlier nan awards kicked disconnected successful earnest. Actor Charles Melton — who stars successful nan upcoming 2nd play of Beef — presented Zhao pinch nan Global Icon Award.

In an affectional introduction, Melton recalled a speech pinch Zhao astir Shakespearean prose, reflecting connected nan director’s effect arsenic a storyteller.

“We request her films. We request her voice. We request her way,” he told nan crowd.

“Chloé Zhao for president,” he joked, drafting cheers from nan audience. Zhao embraced Melton aft taking nan stage. “You are an unthinkable quality being and artist,” she told him.

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During her acceptance speech, Zhao said astir identity, productivity and nan domiciled storytelling plays successful shaping quality experience.

“I americium truthful proud to beryllium Chinese,” she said, reflecting connected nan way that led her to filmmaking.

“It is nan birthright of each quality being to usage their productivity to alchemize their life experiences, nary matter really difficult they are,” she said. “It is not a hobby. It’s not a job. It is simply a birthright.”

“I want to convey everyone of you who exercised that birthright to acquisition nan sparkling and to link pinch your ain soul divinity, and convey you for helping others retrieve that too.”

Elsewhere, nan took location nan Actor successful Film Award for his capacity successful The Wedding Banquet, presented by comedian Atsuko Okatsuka.

“Wow, I cannot judge that I hit retired Jackie Chan successful The Karate Kid for this,” nan quipped, drafting laughter from nan crowd.

Reflecting connected nan oddities of nan acting profession, he added: “Look, acting is truthful weird because you fundamentally guidelines connected a portion of tape, you opportunity immoderate stuff, possibly you’re wearing a toupee for illustration I did successful Wicked, and you’re expected to outcry connected cue aft someone’s offered an Altoid [mint].”

“Then six months later, a formation attendant will bring it up and telephone you brave while you’re stepping into nan lavatory.”

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Yang besides said candidly astir nan acquisition of Asian and Pacific Islander visibility successful Hollywood.

“Step into rooms and you were very alert of yourself immediately. You were noticed but possibly not successful nan measurement you would want to be. Be seen but possibly excessively seen, excessively flattened, excessively misunderstood,” he said.

“That makes you move done life successful nan 3rd personification too,” he continued. “I’m so, truthful happy and fortunate that it’s starting to alteration now because of rooms for illustration this.”

The animated movie KPop Demon Hunters was awarded nan Vanguard Award, pinch Yoo and Cho accepting connected behalf of nan cast. The actors described nan movie arsenic a emotion missive to Korean civilization and music, arsenic good arsenic a broader ceremony of community.

Additional honours went to acclaimed filmmaker Park Chan-wook (Director Award), who shared video messages aft being incapable to be successful person.

The nighttime besides recognised emerging voices and manufacture innovators. Lawrence Shou received nan Breakout successful Film Award, while Te Ao o Hinepehinga took location Breakout successful Television. The Writer Award went to Lloyd Lee Choi, Digital Influencer to Leenda Dong, and Culinary Excellence to cook Jet Tila.

Performances were interspersed passim nan evening, including appearances by vocalist Eric Nam, magician and mentalist Kevin Li, vocalist Peng Peng and singer-songwriter Sinéad Harnett.

The 2026 action committee was co-chaired by Simu Liu and Cheng, and included a roster of salient names crossed intermezo — from Awkwafina and Celine Song to Ken Jeong and Randall Park.

The 2026 Unforgettable Gala will watercourse arsenic a typical connected GoldenTV connected March 13.