How Ahn Hyo-Seop Found ‘Something Special’ With Khalid Collaboration

BusinessHollywood & EntertainmentHow Ahn Hyo-Seop Found ‘Something Special’ With Khalid CollaborationByLaura Sirikul,Contributor.Forbes contributors publish independent expert analyses and insights. Laura Sirikul is a L.A.-based reporter covering film/TV and music.Follow AuthorMay 22, 2026, 07:00am EDTKhalid and Ahn Hyo-Seop's "Something Special"FANDOM Ahn Hyo-seop has had quite an eventful year.Aside from his many leading acting roles in popular Korean dramas and his fashion ambassadorship campaigns, Ahn stepped out further into the global spotlight, starring in the Academy Award-winning Netflix animated film, KPop Demon Hunters, attended the Oscars, attended the Met Gala (the first Korean male actor in over a decade), and now, has made his official debut as a solo artist with a collaborated track, “Something Special,” with multi-platinum recording artist Khalid.“I’m feeling pretty great,” the 31-year-old Korean Canadian actor says, humbly, over Zoom from his home in Seoul. “To be honest, this year hasn’t been the busiest year of my life. I have some time to sleep, but a few big events have come up, so it looks like I’m busy. I’m just really grateful. I’m just happy to be able to do what I do right now.”Ahn and his team were approached by FANDOM, an innovative music platform developed by Musicow in partnership with Roc Nation, to join the music project. He wasn’t given any details about it – just the platform's purpose and a demo of the song, which instantly sent chills down his spine. He recalls that moment so vividly, “I was actually driving when I was listening to it. It was really sunny outside. I was looking at the Han River, and just everything just felt so perfect.”He immediately called his company back, saying he would accept the project “no matter what.” He didn’t know who he would be collaborating with or who the producers would be. When he found out the song would be produced by industry giants, Woo “RAINSTONE” Rhee and Troy “R8DI...