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Arden Cho reflects on childhood struggles with identity in new Netflix hit
Arden Cho, the 40-year-old actress behind Rumi in Netflix's KPop Demon Hunters, has revealed her lifelong battle with self-acceptance, rooted in growing up as the daughter of Korean immigrants in Texas. Speaking to the BBC World Service's Global Women series, Cho described how internalized beauty standards-favoring blue eyes and blonde hair-shaped her early years, leaving her resentful of her Asian heritage.
The animated film, which follows a K-pop trio battling supernatural forces, struck a personal chord for Cho. Rumi's struggle to reconcile her dual identity as part-human, part-demon mirrored Cho's own experiences. "Being born in America, feeling American but having people treat me like I'm not-trying to figure out my identity as an Asian-American, as a Korean-American, as a woman," she said. These themes, she explained, were central to her childhood, where a lack of representation left her "hating a lot of myself" and longing to be someone else.
A cultural milestone for Korean representation
KPop Demon Hunters, released in June, became a global phenomenon, amassing 33 million views in its first two weeks and topping Netflix charts in 93 countries. For Cho, starring in Hollywood's first animated film set in Korea-with an all-Korean lead cast-was "a dream come true." But its impact extends beyond personal achievement: the film has emerged as a cultural touchstone, offering Asian-American children the representation Cho herself lacked.
Many Korean-Americans, she noted, have called the film's success "a refreshing moment," fostering pride in their dual heritage for the first time. Cho credited the rise of K-pop and K-beauty for shifting global perceptions of Korea, but argued that KPop Demon Hunters "tipped it over the edge," sparking widespread enthusiasm for Korean culture. "Everybody wants to go to Korea now," she observed.
"As kids, what you see shapes who you become, and I just didn't see enough people that looked like me."
Arden Cho, actress and voice of Rumi in KPop Demon Hunters
Challenges behind the scenes and the weight of representation
Despite its triumph, the film's production wasn't without hurdles. Cho admitted that Asian-led projects often face skepticism in Hollywood, perceived as "a risk." To counter this, she made a point of meeting the team in person, emphasizing the project's significance. "It kind of sucks to say this," she said, "but any time there's an Asian-led project, people feel like it's a risk."
The film's release coincided with a fraught political climate in the U.S., marked by heightened immigration raids under the Trump administration's deportation policies. As an Asian-American, Cho called the situation "heartbreaking and disappointing," underscoring immigrants' foundational role in shaping America. Korean media estimates suggest up to 150,000 undocumented Korean immigrants, including adopted children, could face deportation-a reality that deepened her resolve to use her platform for change.
From self-loathing to hope
Cho reflected on how racism in her youth stemmed from ignorance, as few understood Korean or Asian identities. "Now, in this day and age, when people should know better, it's beyond disappointing," she said. Yet KPop Demon Hunters has become a beacon of hope, uniting diverse communities. "Maybe that's why it's the movie of the summer," she mused. "We just needed something to bring us together."
The future of filmmaking and the threat of AI
The rise of AI in entertainment has raised concerns about its potential to replicate creative work, including voice acting. Cho acknowledged that AI-generated actors and singers already exist, and voices are being manipulated-but she remains hopeful that audiences will continue to value human-made art. "I want to have hope in humanity," she said, urging respect for "something real."
Meanwhile, KPop Demon Hunters has dominated global music charts, with seven tracks from its soundtrack landing on the Billboard Hot 100. Fan art proliferates online, and calls for a sequel grow louder. While Cho teased "lots of murmurs" and "wonderful things" in development, she confirmed that the decision rests with Netflix and Sony Pictures. "Everyone in the world would riot if there wasn't one," she joked.
