Popular Boy Group Member Reportedly In Talks To Join 2026 Olympics, HYBE Responds

ENHYPEN‘s Sunghoon was reportedly in talks to take part in the closing ceremony of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy, according to a HYBE source who spoke to The Korea Herald.

“Sunghoon is going to the closing ceremony of the Winter Olympics in Italy next year, which will be held at the end of February,” the source said on condition of anonymity. The official declined to provide further details about his schedule, including how long he will stay or what exact role he may play at the event in Verona Arena.

Meanwhile, HYBE’s PR team issued a different stance, stating there have been no discussions regarding Sunghoon’s attendance at the Olympic closing ceremony.

A former reserve member of Korea’s national figure skating team, Sunghoon was appointed in May as a promotional ambassador for the Korean Sport & Olympic Committee (KSOC) to help boost public interest in the Milano-Cortina Games.

The KSOC, which runs Korea House — a cultural and sports hub set up at each Olympics — also confirmed it is in discussions with Hybe regarding the K-pop star’s possible appearance there ahead of the closing ceremony. The committee emphasized, however, that it has no role in organizing or coordinating the Olympic ceremony itself.

“We are also in talks with Hybe regarding Sunghoon’s visit, but the details of the Korea House program have not been finalized yet. Specific plans usually come out one or two months ahead, likely by early December or January at the latest,” a KSOC official told The Korea Herald on Monday.

At the ambassador appointment ceremony on May 16, KSOC Secretary-General Kim Na Mi stressed the importance of Sunghoon’s role, saying his background as a figure skater would inspire the public to cheer for national athletes and take greater interest in sports leading up to the 2026 Games.

As for the potential Korea House visit, HYBE’s PR team maintained it “cannot confirm” the matter.

KSOC ambassadors are tasked with promoting lesser-known sports, supporting athlete rights, engaging audiences through official social media platforms, participating in major events, offering talent donations, and giving lectures to encourage wider community involvement in sports.

ENHYPEN