Why was Ji Young Yoo in the hospital before Critics Choice Awards 2026? 'KPop Demon Hunters' star's ER story revealed

Ji Young Yoo's rise with KPop Demon Hunters has reached unexpected places, including the emergency room.

During a quick chat with E! News on Jan. 4, on the Critics' Choice Awards 2026 red carpet, the voice actress to HUNTR/X's Zoey recounted being asked for a signature during a hospital visit, a moment she considers both shocking and hilarious.

"I would say the weirdest place I've been asked for a signature is in the hospital. I hurt my back. I'm totally fine."

Her co-star, Arden Cho, who voiced Rumi, also reflected on the Netflix animated film's massive popularity.

"It has been a whirlwind. I don't think anybody was prepared for how busy we'd get."

Golden from KPop Demon Hunters wins Best Song and Best Animated Feature at Critics' Choice Awards 2026

And the success keeps on going up, up, up. KPop Demon Hunters took home the Best Song (Golden) and Best Animated Feature at the Critics' Choice Awards 2026.

EJAE, the singing voice behind the character Rumi, as well as the songwriter of the tracks featured in KPDH, took the stage to receive the awards. Audrey Nuna and Rei Ami also went up alongside her. EJAE told the audience:

"When writing this song, I found myself living vicariously through my character Rumi. Her life and journey in the movie felt deeply familiar to me."

The singer-songwriter went on:

"The song needed to be an expression of hope to convince herself that she could write and reach for her dreams. In many ways, it did the same for me, but most importantly, for it to be giving hope so many people around the world is truly the greatest honor."

After the Critics' Choice, the KPop Demon Hunters stars anticipate the forthcoming 2026 GRAMMY Awards, where Golden is nominated for Song of the Year and Best Song Written for Visual Media. The film's entire song catalog also vies for the Best Compilation Soundtrack or Visual Media Trophy.

Following the 2026 GRAMMY nominations announcement, EJAE reflected on People on KPop Demon Hunters' increasing milestones.

"I'm just so proud to be Korean because growing up in America, too, I felt ashamed of d being Korean at one point. I felt ostracized, and so I'm just happy to be a part of this incredible cultural phenomenon to be able to show off our country."

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Audrey Nuna echoed EJAE's remarks, dishing on the bond between the cast.

"A Grammy nomination means so much to anyone who's in music and anyone who creates for a living. It's very a culminating moment. And I think that we're just not only thinking about this film, but our lives, the cultural context and the history, and our parents, and the struggles. It's the honor of a lifetime to stand alongside both [EJAE and Rei Ami] and for us all to do it together. The sorority of it is really beautiful."

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