The animated film KPop Demon Hunterswhich highlights Korean culture, made headlines after winning major categories at the 98th Oscar Awards. However, shortly after the ceremony ended, controversy erupted when images emerged showing the venue strewn with rubbish.
The interior of the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles was left in disarray following the event, the New York Post reported. The outlet noted that the scene contrasted sharply with Hollywood’s long-standing image of promoting environmental awareness. The photos showed empty water bottles, snack wrappers and other trash strewn throughout the seating area, quickly spreading on social media and attracting widespread attention. The messy aftermath of such a fascinating event has left many people disappointed.
Online, criticism quickly followed. Some netizens reacted harshly, leaving comments like “I’m no better than garbage” “They behave elegantly, but this shows their true nature,” AND “You can’t trust actors.” Others have 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 such as Leonardo DiCaprio, Jane Fonda and Javier Bardem have used awards stages to emphasize climate change and environmental protection. However, this incident has led many to question the sincerity of those messages, resulting in even greater public scrutiny.
One image in particular showing piles of rubbish along the corridors of the theater went viral after being shared online with the caption: “Can someone clean this up, please?” The post reportedly reached nearly 4 million views, further fueling the controversy. Beyond environmental concerns, some people have also raised issues of social inequality, arguing that the burden of cleaning up after such high-profile events ultimately falls on the workers behind the scenes.
In the meantime, KPop Demon Hunters that night celebrated major accomplishments, winning both Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song for “Golden,” marking a significant milestone despite the surrounding controversy.
Sources: Daum
