Sunghoon from ENHYPEN Chosen as Torchbearer for the 2026 Winter Olympics
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ENHYPEN member Sunghoon has been chosen as a torchbearer for the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics, representing a significant bridge between K-pop and the Olympic movement.
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The Winter Games are scheduled to begin on February 6, 2026, with Sunghoon participating in the official torch relay, following an invitation from Samsung Electronics, a Worldwide Olympic and Paralympic Partner.
Sunghoon’s selection is particularly noteworthy given his athletic background. Prior to his debut with ENHYPEN, he trained as a competitive figure skater and was part of South Korea’s national reserve team. Since 2025, he has also served as a promotional ambassador for the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee, aiming to merge elite sports with pop culture.
With a history in winter sports and his global influence as an artist, Sunghoon will carry the Olympic flame as a symbol of unity, peace, and international connection. He becomes only the second K-pop artist to take part in an overseas Olympic torch relay, underscoring the genre’s expanding cultural presence worldwide.
Reflecting on his role, Sunghoon stated, “I know how much passion and effort national athletes have put into preparing for the Winter Olympics, and I sincerely want to support and cheer for them. Competing in the Olympics was once my dream as an athlete, so being connected to that dream now as a singer is truly meaningful and an incredible honor.”
ENHYPEN will also contribute musically to the Games. The group’s track “SHOUT OUT,” from their 2022 mini-album MANIFESTO : DAY 1, has been designated as Team Korea’s official cheer song for the Milano Cortina Games.
This announcement comes during a strong commercial period for ENHYPEN. Their seventh mini-album THE SIN : VANISH debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard 200, earning 122,400 equivalent album units in its first week. This release marks ENHYPEN’s fifth consecutive entry in the Top 5, further solidifying their reputation as one of K-pop’s most consistent global performers.
