Character Media and GoldenTV celebrated a year in entertainment and culture with their unforgettable annual awards show.
The event – which celebrates Asian Pacific Islander excellence in film, television and culture – was held on Saturday at the Fairmont Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles, with a slew of big-name honorees in attendance including Hamnet Director Chloe Zhao, Saturday Night Live Alum Bowen Yang and Demon hunters in kpop Voice actors Arden Cho and Ji-young Yoo.
GoldenTV CEO Takashi Cheng kicked off the event before jumping into the awards ceremony. meat Season 2 star Charles Melton presented the Global Icon Award to Zhao. The actor gave a poignant introduction to the director, recalling the conversation the two had when Milton told her he hadn’t fully grasped Shakespearean prose, and shared how much the world needs Chow as a storyteller. “We need her films. We need her voice. We need her way,” he told the audience.
“Chloe Zhao is running for president,” he joked, to cheers from the crowd. Zhao hugged Milton for a long time after he got on the stage. “You are an incredible human being and artist,” she told the actor.
Zhao spoke about how proud she is to be Chinese and expressed how lucky she feels to be able to tell stories for a living during her speech. “Every human being has the right to use his creativity in shaping his life experiences, no matter how difficult they are,” she said, adding that it is not a hobby or a job, but, once again, an acquired right. “I want to thank everyone who has exercised this birthright to experience the light and connect with your inner divinity, and thank you for helping others remember that as well.”
Yang won the Actor in a Movie Award for his role in Wedding feast. Comedian Atsuko Okatsuka introduced SNL The alum with the award. “Wow, I can’t believe I beat Jackie Chan Karate kid “That’s why,” he said at the beginning of his speech, drawing laughter from the audience.
“Look, acting is so weird because you’re basically standing on a piece of tape, saying some things, and maybe wearing a wig like you did in eviland you’re supposed to cry on cue after someone offers you an altoid [mint]Yang continued. “Then six months later, the flight attendant will bring it up and call you brave as you go to the toilet.”
Yang noted that acting can make one move through life in the third person and spoke about the reality of seeing API until recently. “Walk into rooms, and you’re immediately very self-aware,” he said. “You’re noticed but maybe not in the way you want. You may be seen but maybe you’re too visible, too flat, or too misunderstood.”
“This makes you move through life in the third person as well,” he continued. “I’m so happy and lucky that it’s starting to change now because of rooms like this.”
Demon hunters in kpop He won the Vanguard Award. Yoo and Cho, two of the film’s main voice actors, accepted the award on behalf of the film. The duo emphasized that the film is a love letter to Korean culture and music, but also a celebration of culture and community.
Daniel Dae Kim and Park Chan Wook received the TV Actor Award and Director Award respectively. Both were unable to attend but sent video messages thanking the organization and the crowd.
Many other prizes were given out throughout the night. Lawrence Shaw received the Breakthrough Film Award. Te Ao o Hinepehinga received the Breakthrough Television Award. Lloyd Lee Choi received the Writer’s Award. Linda Dong received the Digital Influencer Award; Jet Tila has received awards for culinary excellence.
There were performances scattered throughout the night, including… Traitors star Eric Nam, magician and mentalist Kevin Lee, singer Bingbing and singer-songwriter Sinead Harnett.
The 2026 selection committee was chaired by Simu Liu and Chen and includes Agnes Liu, Adele Lim, Awkwafina, Bao Nguyen, Benedict Wong, Ping Chen, Brandon Riggs, Brittman Rock, Celine Song, Danielle Hennie, Danielle Wu, Domei Shi, Janet Yang, Jin Yang, Jennifer Yeoh Nelson, Jeremy Tran, Jessica Gao, Jessica. Henwick, Jenny Hao, Joan Chen, Judy Long, Joseph Lee, Julia Zhou, Julia Gu, Ken Jeong, Kevin Kwan, Leonardo Nam, Maitreyi Ramakrishnan, Miranda Kwok, Nico Santos, Nina Yang, Norman Chen, Phil Wang, Philip Sun, Randall Park, Rebecca Sun, Samantha Kwan, Shannon Lee, and Takashi Cheng.
The 2026 Unforgettable Gala is scheduled to be broadcast as a special on GoldenTV on March 13.
