The animated film KPop Demon Hunters, which highlights Korean culture, made headlines after winning major categories at the 98th Academy Awards. However, shortly after the ceremony ended, controversy erupted when images surfaced showing the venue littered with trash.
According to reports from New York Post, the interior of the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles was left in disarray following the event. The outlet noted that the scene sharply contrasted with Hollywood’s long-standing image of promoting environmental awareness. Photos showed empty water bottles, snack wrappers, and other waste scattered throughout the seating area, quickly spreading across social media and drawing widespread attention. The messy aftermath of such a glamorous event left many people disappointed.
Online, criticism quickly followed. Some netizens reacted harshly, leaving comments such as “They’re no better than trash,” “They act classy, but this shows their true nature,” and “You can’t trust actors.” Others pointed out the disconnect between the industry’s public messaging and real-life behavior, calling it a clear example of hypocrisy when it comes to environmental responsibility.
For years, Hollywood figures like Leonardo DiCaprio, Jane Fonda, and Javier Bardem have used award stages to emphasize climate change and environmental protection. However, this incident has led many to question the sincerity of those messages, with public scrutiny growing even stronger.
One particular image showing piles of trash along the theater aisles went viral after being shared online with the caption, “Can someone please clean this up?” The post reportedly reached nearly 4 million views, further fueling the controversy. Beyond environmental concerns, some people also raised issues of social inequality, arguing that the burden of cleaning up after such high-profile events ultimately falls on workers behind the scenes.
Meanwhile, KPop Demon Hunters celebrated major achievements that night, winning both Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song for “Golden,” marking a significant milestone despite the surrounding controversy.
Sources: Daum
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