Arden Cho, the acclaimed voice behind Rumi in Netflix’s “K-Pop Demon Hunters,” shares the profound impact of her voice acting debut, delving into the film’s cultural authenticity, its unprecedented success, and how the character’s struggles mirrored her own experiences with identity and representation in Hollywood.
The animated sensation “K-Pop Demon Hunters” has captivated audiences worldwide, rapidly ascending to become one of Netflix’s most-watched titles. At the heart of its success is Arden Cho, who lends her voice to the complex lead character, Rumi. While singer-songwriter ejae handles Rumi’s powerful vocals, Cho’s performance has resonated deeply with fans, particularly through Rumi’s struggle to reconcile her dual persona as a half-hunter, half-demon.
For Cho, this role has been more than just a career milestone; it’s been a profound personal journey, offering an unexpected sense of healing. The film’s overwhelming reception, including its soundtrack’s historic run on the Billboard Hot 100, underscores its significant cultural impact, further cementing Cho’s status as a pivotal figure in entertainment.
The Path to Rumi: Auditioning for a Dream Role
Despite an extensive acting career spanning over a decade, Cho chose to audition for the role of Rumi, rather than relying on her established reputation. Her initial audition in August 2022 was for Celine, Rumi’s foster mother, a former demon hunter. However, a callback six months later presented the opportunity to read for Rumi, a prospect Cho initially approached with hesitation.
She admitted to feeling a sense of imposter syndrome, questioning if she was “too old for Rumi” or “not K-pop idol enough,” especially knowing many talented actors and singers had auditioned. Yet, the moment she read the script, Cho felt an undeniable connection, thinking, “I have to do this.” She viewed the rigorous audition process as fair and strategic, acknowledging the need for consensus among the director, producers, and Netflix executives.
Bringing Authenticity to the Screen: Cultural Nuances and Challenges
“K-Pop Demon Hunters” distinguishes itself through its commitment to cultural authenticity, infusing the American animation with distinct Korean sensibilities. Cho highlighted that even subtle elements, like character Jinu’s mannerisms and speech patterns, were carefully crafted to carry a distinctly Korean flavor, making the English dialogue feel natural to Korean audiences.
A significant challenge for Cho was recording dialogue in Korean due to her imperfect command of the language. Words like “hon mun” proved particularly difficult to pronounce. The director maintained high standards, demanding perfection to achieve an authentic Korean atmosphere, an effort for which Cho expressed gratitude, especially when Korean audiences recognized and appreciated the meticulous attention to detail. She proudly shared Korean culture with her American colleagues throughout production, frequently taking staff members to enjoy dishes like samgyeopsal, galbi jjim, japchae, fried chicken, and chimaek.
A Healing Journey: Rumi’s Struggles Mirror Cho’s Own
Rumi’s internal conflict, stemming from her hidden half-demon identity, struck a deeply personal chord with Cho. She revealed her profound connection to Rumi’s story, particularly the pressure to hide a significant part of herself. Cho stated that growing up as a Korean American in the United States, she often felt that being Asian was considered a “handicap” or “not a good thing.”
This resonated with the cultural emphasis within the Asian, particularly Korean, community on presenting a perfect image and concealing flaws. Cho reflected on childhood experiences, such as eating lunch in the bathroom after someone called her food “gross,” an act she now views as shame over her culture. She found that voicing Rumi and navigating the character’s journey provided a healing experience for her, allowing her to confront and embrace her identity with newfound confidence.
Arden Cho: A Career of Representation and Advocacy
Before her celebrated role in “K-Pop Demon Hunters,” Cho gained widespread recognition as Kira Yukimura, the half-Korean, half-Japanese kitsune teen in “Teen Wolf.” Her portrayal of Kira, the love interest of Tyler Posey’s Scott McCall, endeared her to many. Cho praised Kira’s character, noting, “she looked so much like me,” possessing a “heart to save her friends and battle endlessly,” yet being “super dorky and really uncomfortable,” according to an interview with The Cut in 2022.
Cho’s departure from “Teen Wolf” ignited discussions about uneven wages in Hollywood, particularly concerning actors of color receiving less than their white counterparts. She publicly addressed this issue, stating in the same The Cut interview, “I could probably think of more than ten Asian American actors I know who were paid significantly less than their counterparts.”
Beyond acting, Cho is a talented musician, having released her first single “I’m Just a Girl” in 2011 and an EP “My True Happy” two years later. She also maintains a vibrant YouTube channel where she shares music covers and content. Her advocacy extends to fighting anti-Asian hatred, having shared her personal experience of being verbally attacked in 2021. She also expressed concern to E! that Asian women are often “seen as a sort of value or trophy” in popular media, vowing to avoid roles that cast her as an “attractive lady no. 1” or an “asexual object.”
Cho consistently insists on proper Asian representation in American media, as she told Vogue Singapore in March 2024. She challenges industry “no-sayers” who believe “girls shouldn’t be leads, that Asian girls aren’t allowed to play intellectual characters, that we should have accents, or that we should just be sexy.”
The Phenomenal Success of “K-Pop Demon Hunters”
Less than three months after its June 20 debut, “K-Pop Demon Hunters” quickly became the most-watched title of all time on Netflix, surpassing even the first season of “Squid Game.” Its soundtrack achieved unprecedented success, making history on the Billboard Hot 100 with four of its songs landing in the top 10. The track “Golden” notably held the No. 1 spot for eight consecutive weeks, a testament to the film’s broad appeal and musical prowess.
The film centers on the K-pop girl group Huntr/x, composed of Rumi (Arden Cho), Mira (May Hong), and Zoey (Ji-young Yoo), whose pop star lives serve as a disguise for their true calling as demon hunters. This blend of K-pop glamour and supernatural action has clearly struck a chord with a diverse audience, from young children to long-time fans of Cho’s work.
May Hong and the Future of Huntr/x
May Hong, who voices Mira, also felt a strong connection to her character, stating, “She is me. I am her.” Mira, the more rebellious member of Huntr/x, acts as a steadfast friend and a source of strength, particularly for those who cannot protect themselves. Hong expressed a desire to explore Mira’s background in potential sequels, delving into the “pain of what she endured with her family and how that informed her value system.”
The success of “K-Pop Demon Hunters” opens avenues for further exploration of its rich narrative and diverse characters. The voice actors’ deep personal investment in their roles, coupled with the film’s cultural resonance, sets a high bar for future animated productions.
What’s Next for Arden Cho?
Following the global triumph of “K-Pop Demon Hunters,” Arden Cho is already engaged in her next significant project: “Perfect Girl.” This Hollywood film, directed by a Korean filmmaker, will explore the intensely competitive world of K-pop trainees and the psychological journeys of young women pursuing their dreams. Cho stars alongside actor-model Adeline Rudolph and singer Jeon Somi in what she describes as “a beautiful story about women’s emotional journeys set against the backdrop of K-pop.” The script for “Perfect Girl” has already garnered multiple awards in the United States, indicating another promising venture for Cho in sharing Korean cultural pride with global audiences.
In her personal life, Cho announced her engagement in April 2025 to a non-showbiz partner. While keeping his identity private, she fondly refers to him as “the calmness of [her] chaos.”
