SEOUL – Arden Cho, the voice of Rumi in Netflix’s record-breaking KPop Demon Hunters (2025), is charting a new course in Hollywood, one defined by the evolving conversation around representation and her reinvention as an Asian-American artist.
A Career Reimagined
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Cho’s journey reflects a broader shift in the industry, where actors are increasingly taking control of their narratives.
Born in Texas to Korean immigrant parents, Cho began her acting career with roles in U.S. television series like CSI: NY in 2009 and Pretty Little Liars in 2011. Her breakthrough came with MTV’s supernatural hit Teen Wolf, where she starred from 2013 to 2016. Years later, she headlined Netflix’s legal drama Partner Track (2022), portraying a Korean-American attorney navigating the competitive world of New York corporate law. However, the series was cancelled after just one season.
That cancellation, Cho revealed in a Jan. 30 interview in Seoul, had a profound impact. “I went through many difficult periods over the course of 20 years of filming, and eventually, I was burned out. Partner Track was my first drama as a top-billed lead. Just getting to that point had been an incredibly difficult journey,” she said. “But after Partner Track ended the way it did, I started to feel, for the first time very clearly, how difficult it is for an Asian woman to sustain a leading role in the US.”
Arden Cho, winner of the Best Voice Over Performance for KPop Demon Hunters, at the 2026 Astra Film Awards on Jan 9.
PHOTO: AFP
Finding New Momentum in Animation
Following the cancellation, Cho took a year and a half break from acting. During this time, she was approached with the opportunity to voice Rumi, the fearless protagonist at the center of KPop Demon Hunters. The animated feature quickly became a cultural phenomenon, surpassing 500 million views on Netflix by late 2025.
“At some point, I had lost sight of the mission that made me start this work in the first place. But working on this film, I felt a renewed sense of hope and found myself wanting to take on new challenges once again,” Cho explained. The film’s soundtrack single, “Golden,” even made history on Feb. 1, becoming the first K-pop song to win a Grammy Award.
KPop Demon Hunters surpassed 500 million views by late 2025.
PHOTO: NETFLIX
From Performer to Producer
Cho’s career is now extending beyond acting. Despite initially announcing a retirement from acting, she was drawn back in by the creative vision behind KPop Demon Hunters. “I’ve always loved science fiction and action, and when I heard that the project was being directed by Maggie Kang – a Korean woman – it immediately caught my attention,” she said.
Kang, a Korean Canadian born in Seoul, is in her mid-40s. Cho praised Kang’s clear vision and understanding of the character of Rumi. “Maggie Kang had a very clear vision of what she wanted and a strong understanding of the core of the character,” Cho said, adding that a priority was creating a protagonist who felt both authentic and relatable.
Arden Cho voices Rumi in KPop Demon Hunters.
PHOTO: NETFLIX
Cho is now producing Perfect Girl, a K-pop-themed thriller that represents a departure from the family-friendly tone of KPop Demon Hunters. Starring South Korean-Canadian artist Jeon Somi, the film draws comparisons to Black Swan (2010) and The Substance (2024) with its blend of psychological horror and body-thriller elements. She is collaborating with Zanybros, a South Korean production powerhouse responsible for over 1,000 music videos and commercials for artists including BTS, Exo, Girls’ Generation, and Super Junior. Release details are forthcoming.
“Throughout my life, I hated feeling dismissed and looked down on because I was Asian, and I experienced a lot of bullying. I want to give the next generation the opportunities I never had,” Cho said. “I hope there will be more Asian producers and creators working in the US. If we want to show strong, compelling images of ourselves, in the end, we have to create them ourselves.”
