Arden Cho,the voice of Rumi in Netflix’s hit animated series KPop Demon Hunters,recently opened up to BBC Global Women about her personal experiences with identity and representation. the article details Cho’s reflections on growing up as a Korean-American in Texas and how the show’s themes of acceptance resonated with her own journey, as well as the series’ surprising impact on global perceptions of Korean culture. Published November 19, the interview also touches on the anxieties surrounding the rise of artificial intelligence in the entertainment industry and the uncertain future of a potential second season.
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“I used to hate that I looked Asian, that I didn’t have blue eyes and blonde hair, because that was the beauty standard at the time,” says Arden Cho, the voice of Rumi, the breakout star of Netflix’s animated sensation, KPop Demon Hunters.
In a conversation with BBC’s Global Women series, Cho, 40, reflects on growing up in Texas as the eldest daughter of South Korean immigrants and the struggle to find acceptance in American society.
The series, which follows a trio of Korean pop singers tasked with saving the world, sees Rumi grapple with accepting her half-human, half-demon identity. Cho says the storyline resonated deeply with her own experiences.
“I was born in America and I feel American, but people treat me as if I’m not, and I’m trying to figure out my identity as an Asian-American, Korean-American, and as a woman,” she explained.
Those elements of her childhood and youth mirrored Rumi’s journey in the show.
“I can honestly say that at different points in my life, I hated a lot of things about myself and wished I was someone else. As kids, we’re affected by what we see around us, and I think I didn’t see enough people who looked like me.”
Image source, Netflix
Launched on Netflix in June, the series quickly garnered 33 million views in just two weeks, landing in the top 10 most-watched shows on the platform in 93 countries.
For Cho, starring in the first Hollywood animated film set in Korea, with a fully Korean cast, felt like a “dream come true” – but also made her a role model for Asian-American children, the kind she longed for growing up.
She says many Korean-Americans have told her it’s a “refreshing moment,” making them feel proud of their dual heritage for the first time.
“I feel like K-pop has already paved the way. And Korean beauty has made a huge impact on increasing the world’s love for Korea. But I feel like this show is what took things to the next level – everyone wants to go to Korea now.”
However, the show’s success wasn’t a given, and Cho admits the team faced “big challenges at times.”
“I hate to say it, but every time there’s a project led by Asian characters, some people feel like it’s a risky project.”
Because of this, Cho made a point of meeting everyone involved when she landed the role.
The release coincided with widespread immigration raids across the United States under the Trump administration’s mass deportation policies, sparking protests in several states.
Cho says the situation is “sad and disappointing” for any Asian-American living in the US. “Immigrants are the ones who made America what it is.”
Korean media estimates that up to 150,000 undocumented Korean immigrants, including adopted children, could be at risk of deportation.
As she grew older, Cho realized the racism she experienced as a child often stemmed from a lack of awareness, with people simply not understanding what it meant to be Korean or Asian.
“But now, in this day and age, when the world and people are supposed to know more, it’s incredibly disappointing. Sometimes you feel hopeless and futile.”
That’s why she feels it’s so personal that the show offers “hope and joy and love to all these different communities.”
“Maybe that’s why it’s being called the show of the summer, because we needed some hope and something to bring us together.”
Image source, Getty Images
The rise of artificial intelligence is a major concern for the film industry, with fears it could be used to create films like KPop Demon Hunters in the future.
Cho acknowledges that AI is already being used to clone actors’ voices, but hopes that “people will still have faith in humanity” and continue to seek out work created by humans.
“Of course, there will be AI actors and singers, and I know they already exist. And I know our voices are being manipulated, but I hope people have some respect and desire and love for what’s real.”
The show has also made waves on global music charts, with seven songs from its soundtrack entering the Billboard Hot 100.
Fan art abounds, and calls for a second season are growing worldwide.
Cho says she wishes she could answer whether that will happen, but she and the public will have to wait for a decision from Netflix or Sony Pictures Entertainment, the show’s producer.
“I know there’s a lot of speculation, and I’ve heard amazing things. We’ll see, and I think the whole world will be angry if it doesn’t happen.”
