Ansel Elgort faces backlash for wearing yukata at Seoul cultural event

American actor Ansel Elgort has faced significant backlash in South Korea after wearing a yukata, a traditional Japanese garment, to a high-profile cultural event in Seoul.

Elgort attended the ‘CJ Night in Celebration of Frieze Seoul’ at the Leeum Museum, an event designed to showcase Korean culture and lifestyle. Despite a pre-announced ‘cocktail attire’ dress code, the actor appeared in a yukata paired with sneakers and a large pendant.

Online communities and cultural experts have criticized the choice as insensitive, citing the historical tensions between Korea and Japan. Professor Seo Kyoung-duk of Sungshin Women's University described the act as “extremely rude,” noting that a global star should respect the time and place. While some netizens viewed the choice as a sign of ignorance regarding the difference between Korean and Japanese traditional clothing, others argued that fashion is a matter of personal freedom. Elgort, who has previously expressed interest in Korean culture and is married to a Japanese woman, has not yet issued a public response to the criticism.