The streets of Milan witnessed a historic moment as Sunghoon, from triple million-selling group ENHYPEN, officially participated in the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics Torch Relay. On Feb. 5, he proudly carried the Olympic flame through the city, marking a golden milestone that connects his past as an athlete with his present as a global icon.
From Ice Rink to World Stage
Sunghoon’s journey to this moment is one-of-a-kind. Before he was a global artist, he spent years as a competitive figure skater on South Korea’s national reserve team. Stepping onto the Olympic stage as an official torchbearer highlights the growing connection between sports, music, and global youth culture.
While carrying the torch near Milan’s Bolivar Station, Sunghoon was met with loud cheers from both local spectators and international fans who traveled to see him. His presence brought to life the Olympic values of peace, friendship, and solidarity. It also demonstrated how K-pop continues to inspire people far beyond the music charts.
Reflecting on the honor, SUNGHOON shared, “It’s incredibly emotional to be part of the Olympics, which has long been a dream of mine, now as a singer.” He continued, “As a former athlete, I know the passion and dedication that go into preparing for this stage. Being able to support the athletes and take part in this journey is a true honor, and I’m grateful for all the energy and love from fans around the world.”
The Growing Intersection of K-pop and Sports
As a promotional ambassador for the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee, Sunghoon is championing a simple message — passion for what you love. This aligns perfectly with ENHYPEN’s mission of bringing people and different worlds together.
We see this intersection more than ever now. For instance, global organizations such as the NBA are partnering with K-pop stars to reach a broader audience. A great example is the rookie group CORTIS, who recently became “Friends of the NBA” and headlined the NBA Crossover Concert Series. These partnerships prove that K-pop artists are now key cultural ambassadors. They bring a tremendous spirit and passion to the sporting world that resonates with fans everywhere.
ENHYPEN — who just took home Artist of the Year at the 2026 D AWARDS — further leaves a mark on the Games through their music. Their track “SHOUT OUT” from the third mini album ‘MANIFESTO : DAY 1’ is officially Team Korea’s cheer song for Milano Cortina 2026. This selection creates a powerful moment of connection that reaches across languages and borders. Because of this, Sunghoon’s relay run is just the start of ENHYPEN’s presence throughout the Olympic season.
The relay wrapped up right before the Opening Ceremony at San Siro Stadium, officially kicking off the Winter Games that will continue through Feb. 22.
Which ENHYPEN song would you choose to represent your country at the Olympics? Let us know in the comments or on Instagram and Twitter/X!
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Featured Image Credit: Courtesy of BELIFT LAB
