New York Times: ENHYPEN Sunghoon Fan Frenzy Rivals Olympic Gold

“Came to See Sunghoon, Not the Olympics”: The New York Times on the Enthusiasm in Milan

“What’s my purpose in being at the Olympics? I came to see Sunghoon.”

The New York Times (NYT) spotlighted ENHYPEN’s Sunghoon’s appearance at the 2026 Milan Winter Olympics and the fervent fan devotion he inspires.

On February 10th (local time), the NYT published an article titled “An Olympian Quest in Milan: Glimpsing a K-Pop Superstar.” Reporter Andrew Keh noted, “Celebrities are plentiful at the Olympics, but devotion like this is rarer.”

Sunghoon visited Milan as a torchbearer and ambassador for the Korean team. Before his debut, Sunghoon was a figure skater for 10 years, earning him the nickname “Ice Prince” among fans.

The New York Times described the sidewalk in front of a hotel in downtown Milan as a “stadium.” Fans reportedly began lining up by the hotel’s revolving doors at 7 AM every day since last week and stayed until after midnight.

The reporter likened the fans’ waiting line to an Olympic event, stating, “It turns out cross-country skiing is not the only endurance sport being contested in northern Italy.” Seeing Sunghoon pass by was described as “winning a bronze medal,” getting an autograph as “winning silver,” and taking a selfie as “an event as rare as winning gold.”

Maresa Paceco (24), a postal worker from Milan, said, “ENHYPEN doesn’t hold concerts here. So this is the only chance to see Sunghoon.” She had been standing in front of the hotel since morning, and while admitting to being “a little tired and hungry,” she kept her place. She speaks Portuguese, Italian, and English and is currently learning Korean.

Beatrice Tancini (34), an accountant from Milan, received Sunghoon’s autograph on Friday afternoon but spent another six hours in front of the hotel on Saturday. “It was hard because it’s been cold and rainy lately,” she said. “But Sunghoon is so kind to people and fans, so it’s worth the long wait.”

Shiyu Mao (19), from Shanghai and studying design in Turin, was delighted when another fan offered to have Sunghoon sign a picture of him on her behalf, as she had only brought blank paper.

The New York Times reporter vividly captured the tension in front of the hotel. Around 1 PM, when a large man, seemingly Sunghoon’s bodyguard, peered out from behind the door, the fans suddenly fell silent. The reporter added the description, “They clutched their phones tightly, like athletes preparing for a race.”

Thirty minutes later, Sunghoon came out to watch the competition. He walked through the revolving doors, and the fans, while maintaining their line, waved, took pictures, and held out ENHYPEN merchandise. Sunghoon smiled and waved but did not stop walking and headed to a waiting Mercedes-Benz Sprinter.

“There was an adrenaline rush, but also a sense of emptiness. I had waited so long, but it passed so quickly. It’s over now,” the reporter stated.

S.M. Kim (28), who took a vacation from Seoul to visit Milan, answered “I came to see Sunghoon” when asked if she came to see the Olympics. With several hours until Sunghoon’s return, she said, “Maybe I’ll go see some speed skating or something.”

Sunghoon also attracted attention at a press conference at the Olympic Media Center. The New York Times reported that young volunteers watched his short press conference with their mouths open.

In Korean, Sunghoon said, “I think that whether it’s sports or music, we only exist because of the support of our fans. I hope that fans are always happy when they see me.”

The New York Times reported that fans exchange information online, track Sunghoon’s public schedule through social media and Korean news reports, and prepare “appropriate equipment” such as merchandise, cameras, and folding chairs.

Paceco said that some fans are “sometimes ruthless to each other,” such as when some fans monopolize information about a star’s location during Milan Fashion Week. She also emphasized regarding the perception that some see her as a stalker, “I am very polite and never cross the line. I always keep my distance.”

The New York Times reported that the atmosphere in front of the hotel was generally friendly this week.