The Viral “K-Pop Thing” Explained
Midway through the ceremony, cameras captured DiCaprio in an animated conversation with his One Battle After Another co-star (believed to be Chase Infiniti). Unlike his usual composed award show persona, DiCaprio appeared playful and expressive.
What Did He Say?
Lip-readers and fans on X (formerly Twitter) have dissected the footage frame-by-frame.
- The Quote: “I was watching you with the K-pop thing,” DiCaprio appears to say, followed by a mimicry of a shocked reaction: “You were like, ‘Who’s that? Is that… Oh, K-pop!
- The Context: The moment occurred shortly after the historic double win for Netflix’s animated hit KPop Demon Hunters, which took home awards for Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song.
- The Reaction: The clip immediately spawned the “Leo Realization Face” meme, with fans delighting in the idea of the veteran actor discussing K-Pop choreography or fan culture.
“KPop Demon Hunters” Makes History
DiCaprio’s viral moment wasn’t the only K-Pop headline of the night. KPop Demon Hunters officially cemented its place in cinema history.
The film, a Netflix and Sony Pictures Animation collaboration about a girl group fighting underworld monsters, beat out heavyweights like Zootopia 2. Director Maggie Kang became the first Asian woman to win in the category, stating in her speech that she wanted to depict women who are “really strong, bold, and sometimes a little thirsty.”
Golden Globes 2026: Other Major Highlights
While Leo stole the meme spotlight, other stars had career-defining nights.
Timothée Chalamet’s Big Win
Timothée Chalamet finally clinched his first Golden Globe for Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy for his role in the ping-pong drama Marty Supreme. He gave a heartfelt shoutout to his partner, Kylie Jenner, calling her his “foundation.”
Breakout Star Owen Cooper
In the television categories, teen actor Owen Cooper won Best Supporting Actor for his role in the drama Adolescence, earning a standing ovation from the star-studded room.
Priyanka Chopra & Lisa Unite
Global superstars Priyanka Chopra and Lisa (from BLACKPINK) presented an award together, marking a massive cultural moment that bridged Bollywood, Hollywood, and K-Pop on one stage.
Why This Matters
The 2026 Golden Globes proved that the entertainment world is more globalized than ever. From DiCaprio chatting about K-Pop to an animated K-Pop musical winning Best Picture, the lines between traditional Hollywood and global pop culture are blurring fast.
FAQs
Q: What did Leonardo DiCaprio say about K-Pop?
A: He was caught saying, “I was watching you with the K-pop thing,” while mimicking a shocked reaction during a commercial break.
Q: Which movie won Best Animated Feature at the Golden Globes 2026?
A: KPop Demon Hunters, a film about a K-Pop girl group fighting monsters.
Q: Did Timothée Chalamet win a Golden Globe in 2026?
A: Yes, he won Best Actor (Musical/Comedy) for Marty Supreme.
Q: Who presented with Priyanka Chopra?
A: She presented an award with K-Pop superstar Lisa.
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