Ahn Hyo-seop Reveals Why He Bought His Parents a New Car in Canada

An affectionate gift for his parents, a joke about his Korean name and an introduction to “Paul” brought out the actor’s personal side on Knowing Bros.

Ahn Hyo-seop’s parents had been driving the same car for years, so he decided it was time for a replacement. The actor shared the gesture during the October 24 broadcast of JTBC’s Knowing Bros, explaining that he recently bought a new vehicle for his parents, who live in Canada. Rather than introducing the purchase as a major announcement, he brought it up while answering a question about how he looks after his family, turning a playful studio conversation into a glimpse of his relationship with his parents.

Appearing alongside Hong Hwa-yeon, Chang Ryul and Jung Yu-jin, Ahn found himself discussing everything from the meaning of his Korean name to the English name he used in Canada. Although the car purchase became the standout revelation, the exchange unfolded through the cast’s familiar teasing, with a joke about his name eventually leading Kang Ho-dong to ask what the actor had actually done to show his parents his appreciation.

A Joke About His Name Became a Question About Family

The conversation began when Ahn explained that his name carries a connection to filial devotion, a concept that places importance on respecting, caring for and showing gratitude to one’s parents. That explanation gave the Knowing Bros cast an immediate opening for wordplay, and they jokingly interpreted “Hyo-seop” as a reminder that he should never leave his parents disappointed. The remark kept the conversation light, but it also set up a more personal question about how the meaning of his name translates into his everyday life.

Kang Ho-dong followed up by asking what Ahn had done for his parents, prompting the actor to explain that they currently live in Canada and that their longtime car had grown old. He had recently bought them a replacement, offering a practical example of the care the cast had been joking about moments earlier. His account stayed focused on the reason for the purchase, with no mention of the car’s brand or price in the supplied report.

The appeal of the story lies in that everyday detail: his parents had something they had used for a long time, and he was able to replace it for them. While the Korean headline described the purchase as a “filial flex,” Ahn’s explanation centered on their needs rather than the expense, giving viewers a family anecdote grounded in a familiar experience of wanting to make life more comfortable for one’s parents.

The Canadian Connection Behind “Paul”

The discussion of his parents also opened the door to Ahn’s own connection with Canada, where he said he moved when he was young. During the exchange, he revealed that his English name is Paul, introducing another personal detail for viewers who primarily know him through his Korean name and screen roles. The conversation moved naturally from where his parents live today to the name associated with his childhood abroad.

Seo Jang-hoon responded that “Paul” suited Ahn’s appearance, bringing the discussion back to the cast’s playful observations. Alongside the earlier joke about “Hyo-seop,” the moment gave the episode two different introductions to the same actor: one through the meaning of his Korean name and another through the English name he shared from his life in Canada.

A Personal Story Between Screen Roles

With Ahn appearing alongside three fellow actors, the episode offered an opportunity for conversation beyond their performances, and his family story provided one of those moments. Buying his parents a replacement car was a concrete gesture he could describe without revealing much about their private lives, while the conversation about Canada helped explain the family connection behind it.

What began as a joke about living up to his name ultimately produced a straightforward answer: when his parents’ car became old, he bought them another one. Paired with the introduction of “Paul,” the exchange gave viewers a more personal picture of Ahn through the places, names and family relationships that sit outside his acting career.

Editor’s Note: Viewers who know Ahn Hyo-seop through Korean dramas may also recognize his voice from Netflix’s animated film KPop Demon Hunters. Netflix identifies him as the English-speaking voice of Jinu, the leader of the fictional boy band Saja Boys, while Andrew Choi provides the character’s singing voice.