A 30-second clip of Leonardo DiCaprio from the 2026 Golden Globes is now one of the internet’s first big memes of the year. The actor, usually private and serious, was caught in a playful, unguarded moment that fans say was all about K-pop.
While broadcast cameras usually cut away during breaks, one camera stayed on DiCaprio. It captured the Oscar winner mid-story, fully immersed, and making funny faces. Some even went as far to say he was “acting gay.”
The footage was taken during a pause in the 83rd Golden Globes ceremony on January 11, 2026. With no audio, viewers were left to rely entirely on DiCaprio’s expressive gestures and exaggerated reactions.
According to lip-reading fans and online sleuths, Leonardo DiCaprio appears to be recounting a humorous encounter. He is seemingly saying something along the lines of:
“I saw you with the K-pop thing. You were like, ‘Who’s that? Is that—oh, K-pop!’”
He then acted out the reaction, pointing and widening his eyes, before laughing at himself and saying it again. His exaggerated gestures made it instantly funny.
On another note, the 2026 Golden Globes was a major night for Korean pop culture as “KPop Demon Hunters” was one of the night’s biggest winners. It took home two awards, including, Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song for “Golden.”
In addition, Lisa appeared as a presenter, while Jennie’s solo track “like JENNIE” played as background music when Jennifer Lopez walked onstage.
Fans strongly believe Leonardo DiCaprio was speaking to his One Battle After Another co-star Chase Infinity, who is widely known for being an outspoken K-pop fan.
The video quickly spread across social media, earning the title of “the first meme of 2026” for several reasons.
First, it showed a side of the “Titanic” actor fans rarely see. Famous for his elusive public image, the actor appeared relaxed, playful, and completely unguarded. Many viewers commented that he had a “totally different vibe” from his usual red-carpet demeanor.
Fans joked that he delivered “an entire acting reel” while sitting at a dinner table. One viral tweet claiming he “made a hundred memes in 30 seconds.”
Adding to the humor, the clip surfaced just hours after host Nikki Glaser poked fun at DiCaprio’s famously private nature in her opening monologue. She joked that his most revealing interview was with Teen Beat magazine back in 1991. The viral moment felt like an unscripted response to that joke.
Lastly, Leonardo DiCaprio was nominated for Best Actor in a Musical or Comedy for One Battle After Another but lost to Timothée Chalamet for Marty Supreme. Still, the film emerged as the night’s biggest winner overall, collecting four awards, including Best Picture in the same category.