TSN KOREA Park Yongjun |  Hollywood actor Ansel Elgort, 32, has faced criticism after attending a cultural event in Seoul wearing a yukata, a traditional Japanese garment.

Elgort attended “CJ NIGHT in Celebration of Frieze Seoul” at the Leeum Museum of Art in Hannam-dong, Yongsan District, Seoul, on Sept. 2.

CJ Group organized the event to celebrate the opening of Frieze Seoul 2026, an international art fair. It marked the third CJ Night held in connection with Frieze Seoul, following events in 2022 and 2024.

Around 400 guests from the domestic and international art communities and various sectors of Korean culture attended the event. Programs showcased Korean food, bakery products, cocktails made with Korean distilled spirits and beauty-related services.

Elgort appeared at the event’s photo wall wearing a yukata. The garment is a casual form of traditional Japanese clothing that is generally considered less formal than a kimono.

The outfit drew attention after reports said organizers had informed guests in advance that the dress code was “cocktail attire.” The term generally refers to semi-formal clothing appropriate for a social event requiring a degree of formality.

After images of Elgort at the event were made public, critics questioned his decision to wear Japanese traditional clothing at an event designed in part to introduce Korean culture and lifestyle to international guests.

Some online users argued that the choice did not adequately reflect the purpose or cultural setting of the event.

Elgort is an American actor known for films including “Divergent,” “The Fault in Our Stars,” “Baby Driver” and “West Side Story.”

Other guests included directors Baz Luhrmann and Park Chan-wook, actors Noah Centineo, Lee Byung-hun, Lee Min-jung and Lee Jung-jae, singer Hwasa and beatboxer Wing performed at the event.

Sept. 4, no separate post featuring his appearance at CJ Night or explanation regarding the outfit controversy could be found on Elgort’s publicly available social media account. He has not issued an official statement regarding either his visit to South Korea or the controversy.