Celebrating the 2026 Awards: Honoring Chloé Zhao, Bowen Yang, and Daniel Dae Kim
The 2026 Unforgettable Awards have unveiled their honorees for the 23rd annual ceremony, featuring notable figures such as Chloé Zhao, Bowen Yang, and Daniel Dae Kim.
This prestigious gala celebrates excellence in film, television, and culture within the Asian and Pacific Islander communities. This year’s theme, "Passion," highlights the enthusiasm and commitment that drive Asian Pacific storytellers, innovators, and leaders throughout the entertainment industry.
Zhao will receive the Golden Icon Award, while Yang is being recognized for his role in The Wedding Banquet with the Actor in Film award. Kim, on the other hand, will be honored for his performance in Butterfly, receiving the Actor in Television accolade.
Additional honorees at this year’s event include Lawrence Shou, awarded Breakout in Film for Rosemead, and Te Ao o Hinepehinga, recognized as Breakout in Television for Chief of War. Park Chan-wook has been acknowledged as Director for No Other Choice.
Lloyd Lee Choi will be honored as Writer for Lucky Lu, and Netflix’s K-Pop Demon Hunters will receive the Vanguard Award. Leenda Dong is slated to receive the Digital Influencer recognition, while Jet Tila will be honored for Culinary Excellence in Media.
The 2026 Unforgettable Awards, produced by GoldenTV and Character Media, will take place on Saturday, March 7, at the Fairmont Century Plaza in Los Angeles. The event will also be livestreamed as a special on Golden TV on March 13.
“This year’s honorees embody the passion that compels our community to tell our stories and push the industry forward,” said Takashi Cheng, CEO of GoldenTV. “Their work breaks barriers and reaches audiences far beyond the Asian community.”
Honorees were chosen by a distinguished selection committee comprising leading creatives, industry executives, and cultural tastemakers who have been instrumental in enhancing API visibility and opportunity on and off screen.
The 2026 Selection Committee is co-chaired by Simu Liu and Fala Chen, alongside a diverse group of industry leaders, including Agnes Lew, Adele Lim, Awkwafina, and many others.
