KPop Demon Hunters’ Arden Cho: I was born in America, but wasn’t seen as American

Summary

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The Interview – Arden Cho: “I Was Born in America, But Wasn’t Seen as American”

Podcast: The Interview (BBC World Service)
Episode Date: December 22, 2025
Guest: Arden Cho, Actor and lead voice of “KPop Demon Hunters”
Host: Chichi Zindu

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Episode Overview

This episode features a profoundly personal and insightful conversation with Arden Cho, a Korean American actor and the star of Netflix’s animated hit “KPop Demon Hunters.” Cho shares her journey from a childhood spent grappling with cultural identity and racism, through career setbacks and heartbreak, to becoming a leading voice for Asian American representation in media. The interview explores the impact of her new film, broader issues of race, belonging, and identity in America, and the hopes and pressures facing women and minorities in Hollywood.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. KPop Demon Hunters’ Global Impact and Resonance:

• Cultural Phenomenon:
  • The film has become Netflix’s most-watched release ever, celebrated for its positive representation of Korean and Asian American identity.
    • Notable moment: Arden reflects on the reception from the Asian American community and the healing those conversations have brought (02:59, 14:36).
• Representation and Healing:
  • “It’s been such a refreshing moment in time where for the first time I’m really proud to be Korean. To be Korean American.” (Arden Cho, 02:59)
  • She discusses how sharing and embracing Korean culture—once a source of shame due to bullying—has become a point of pride and connection across generations.

2. Arden Cho’s Personal Journey:

• Roots and Identity:
  • Grew up across Texas, Minnesota, and Illinois; always felt American but “wasn’t seen as American.”
    • “I feel like sometimes I'm like a little Midwest, a little Southern, but yeah, definitely American.” (Arden Cho, 04:20)
• Career Heartbreak and Resilience:
  • After her show “Partner Track” was canceled, she contemplated leaving the industry due to repeated setbacks and feeling unseen as an Asian American woman (06:30).
  • Her return was sparked by the opportunity to work with fellow Korean creatives on “KPop Demon Hunters,” reigniting her sense of purpose and connection.
    • “If a Korean woman is writing the story and telling the story, she's going to tell her story.” (Arden, 07:59)

3. Themes of Identity, Duality, and Finding Belonging:

• Parallels with Rumi (her character):
  • Rumi’s journey of coming to terms with being “part human, part demon” mirrors Arden’s feelings of dual identities—American and Korean.
    • “Her battle is really about her identity and her duality...I knew what that felt like.” (Arden, 09:56)
• Visibility for the Next Generation:
  • Cho is moved to be a role model, giving Asian American kids a screen hero like she never had.
    • “I wanted to do it for little Arden so that I could be a part of a Korean animated movie that I would have wanted to see growing up.” (20:24)

4. Navigating Racism and Changing Perceptions:

• Growing Up with Racism:
  • Arden recounts hiding her Korean lunches due to teasing; she and many others internalized shame about their culture (14:36).
    • “So many of us have done the thing where we throw our lunch away or hide our food from our parents because we don't want to get made fun of...just because it's different.” (Arden, 15:55)
• Societal Progress:
  • Today, she notes, Korean culture is celebrated, with even those who bullied her now seeking out Korean food and music.
  • “Who knew that an entire culture could sort of overnight become so, so cool and loved?” (Arden, 17:57)

5. Women, Aging, and Authenticity in Hollywood:

• Female Empowerment:
  • Cho discusses the rarity and importance of Asian and female leads in Hollywood and how “KPop Demon Hunters” champions multifaceted girl heroes.
    • "Women are so excited for just this moment in my career… I grew up with you and my daughters think I'm cool now." (Arden, 10:34)
    • “KPop Demon Hunters is one of the first movies where you see three female leads that are heroes...they burp. Right? And I feel like quite often, women are very boxed.” (Arden, 19:15)
• On Aging in the Industry:
  • Finding strength and acceptance in her current chapter—breaking stereotypes about age and relevance for women in entertainment.

6. Hollywood, Innovation, and the Human Element:

• On AI in Entertainment:
  • Reflects on the growing presence of AI in movies and music, emphasizing the irreplaceable value of “heart and soul.”
    • “As smart or intelligent or as helpful as AI can be, I feel like it will never have heart and soul the way that we do.” (Arden, 24:41)
  • Shares curiosity and concern about the future, while remaining hopeful that audiences will continue to seek authentic, human-made art.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “I feel like I'm just in this season where I'm really happy just to be here. And I hope to continue making stories that make people feel good, that make people have great conversations, that bring hope and healing, and again, put women in a place where you can be all of it.” (Arden Cho, 19:09)
• On Oscar buzz:
  • “Yeah, never. Definitely never considered that. Never expected that. But I feel like it'd be really meaningful and special for Koreans and Asian Americans in the business.” (Arden, 21:28)
• “It took me, the show being canceled and me sort of taking a hold of my career in a different way, because it's not about what other people think or doing it for someone else. I feel like now, for the first time ever, I'm doing it for me.” (Arden, 19:59)
• On the film’s influence:
  • “This movie... is about so much more than just KPop and demons, but everything. The amount of love and heart that was poured into this movie is so clear.” (Arden, 16:49)

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Significant Segments & Timestamps

• 02:59 – Arden on the pride and healing from seeing Korean culture celebrated
• 04:20 – Her all-American, multi-regional upbringing
• 06:30 – Career heartbreak after “Partner Track” and her break from acting
• 09:56 – Connecting with her character Rumi’s identity journey
• 14:36 – Deep dive on the immigrant experience and racism in American schools
• 17:57 – How Korean culture’s global embrace flips the narrative
• 19:09 – The joy and responsibility of authentic, barrier-breaking stories
• 21:28 – Reaction to Oscar buzz and what it would mean
• 24:41 – Thoughts on AI in entertainment and the enduring value of humanity in art

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Overall Tone and Style

Warm, vulnerable, and spirited—Arden Cho is candid about her struggles and the weight of representation, but also radiates hope and purpose. The conversation, guided with empathy and insight by Zindu, balances the personal with broader cultural commentary, making it both intimate and meaningful for a wide audience.

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Perfect for listeners interested in representation in media, the immigrant experience in America, and the evolution of women’s roles in Hollywood.

Transcript

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[BBC Correspondent Chichi Zindu]

Hello, I'm BBC correspondent Chichi Zindu and this is the interview from the BBC World Service. The best conversations coming out of the BBC people shaping our world from all over the world.

[Arden Cho]

Today we are spending trillions on war and peanuts on peace.

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[Arden Cho]

I don't have army, I don't have missile rockets. I have my body, I have my voice.

[Ray Winstone]

I love singing. And so my goal was always to do better and better at it.

[Arden Cho]

I was still in an induced coma in hospital when the world was defining me.

[BBC Correspondent Chichi Zindu]

For this interview, I met actor Ardun Cho, star of the chart topping animated film K Pop Demon Hunters in Los Angeles. She's the voice of Rumi, a leading character who must come to terms with her own identity as part human, part demon. It's a duality that resonated powerfully with Arden Cho as the daughter of Korean immigrants who struggled for acceptance and faced racism growing up in America. Now Korean culture is increasingly popular worldwide and she's become a leading role model for Asian American children, the kind she says she lacked when she was young.

[Arden Cho]

It's just been really, really interesting, the amount of conversations and letters I've received and kind words from again, other Korean Americans or minorities who are like, this has been such a refreshing moment in time where for the first time I'm really proud to be Korean. To be Korean American. And proud that everybody wants to know about our food and our culture and our clothes and our music. And it's really healing to have these conversations with other Korean Americans who are like, wait, you were made fun of too for your lunch. You know, so many of us have done the thing where we throw our lunch away or hide our food from our parents because we don't want to get made fun of or because someone says it smells just because it's different.

[BBC Correspondent Chichi Zindu]

K Pop Demon Hunters is Netflix's most watched film ever. But despite its success, Ardun Cho warns that Asian led film projects are still seen as a risk. Welcome to the interview from the BBC World Service with Arjun Cho.

[Arden Cho]

I was born and raised in Texas. I went to high school in Minnesota and college in Illinois. So I always tell everyone I'm sort of from everywhere.

[Interviewer]

Feels like, so would you call yourself.

[BBC Correspondent Chichi Zindu]

An all American girl?

[Arden Cho]

Yeah, I feel like sometimes I'm like a little Midwest, a little Southern, but yeah, definitely American.

[Interviewer]

So let's get into K Pop Demon Hunters because that is completely blown up. Were you expecting such a reaction to the film?

[Arden Cho]

I mean, this kind of reaction I don't think anyone could have predicted, but I was quite confident that it would do well and that it would be loved. I knew there was an audience for it. I mean, it was like the type of movie I dreamed of having when I was a little girl. And I just, I'm such a big fan of animations and I felt like the story was good. And once I started seeing the art and the animation and the voices all coming together, and then when I watched the screener with the music, I was like, oh. I mean, it's like slam dunk.

[Interviewer]

Because you play Rumi who has, if you want to describe it, a tumultuous time. She's discovering herself, coming to terms with herself. What attracted you to that character?

[Arden Cho]

You know, initially I just was so excited by the entire concept of the movie. Right. You hear or you read K Pop Demon Hunters and how could I not be excited? I've grown up loving K Pop Demon Hunting is, you know, a bit supernatural and Fun. And I feel like I've always loved that type of world. And knowing it was an animation, knowing that it was set in Korea, and then getting into the story of three female leads who are all strong, funny, fierce, beautiful, but also vulnerable and real and flawed. I feel like there was a part of me that was, if I could just even touch a project like this, just to say that I got to be in the first Hollywood animated film with Korea as a backdrop with Korean leads. So then, you know, to get the callback for Rumi was the dream come true.

[Interviewer]

But it almost never happened because you'd quit.

[Arden Cho]

Quit. I had. I had. You know, it's so interesting because I had a show called Partner Track, and it was like my baby. My first show as a one on Netflix, you know, my first time being a lead of a series. And I think I had given so much of myself, and that show felt like it was just the beginning. It felt like season one was just laying the groundwork, and there was so much more to be told. But to have such a abrupt, quick ending felt like just immense heartbreak. And I hit a point in my career where I just thought, you know what? I think that's it for me. I didn't think I could take it anymore. The disappointment, the failure, the feeling of almost like hopelessness, you know, trying to be a woman, trying to fight to be seen, fight to be heard. And as an Asian American woman, it was hard. And with Partner Trek, there was a moment that I thought, oh, this is my chance. You know, it's me on the poster. This is my chance to hopefully show young Asian American women that we can be the main character, that we can be the lead of our stories. And again, when it was canceled, I thought I failed, or it's just never going to happen in my lifetime or my career. Or that. Yeah, again, that. That was it. And I had taken about over a year traveling, doing things I'd always kind of wanted to try. And again, no auditions, nothing. And my agent, who sort of refused to quit or refused to leave Jennifer would send me some emails here and there of, hey, what about this? And usually it would be like, no, I'm okay. I'm done. Done. But then she would send me certain things when it was a Korean writer or a Korean director or an Asian writer. And I have such a. Such a soft spot for wanting to work with people who I feel like might relate with me and, like, understand that journey. And so I remember with K Pop Demon Hunters, the first thing I saw was Maggie Kang's name and her last name is Kang. My mom is a Kangxi. So Kangxi means she's a king. So I'm a king, even though my name is Arden Cho. But my mom's side of the family were all kings. And so when I saw that, I was like, oh my God, she's Korean. And everyone I know who's a Kang is very strong and very hardworking. And, you know, that made me really excited. And so I feel like from then I just knew if a Korean woman is writing the story and telling the story, she's going to tell her story. Because I feel like it kind of sucks to say this, but anytime there's an Asian led project, people feel like it's a risk or that it's a chance. I know that the creatives behind this project too, were sometimes facing an uphill battle, and as often we all are. But sometimes the result or the fruit is even more beautiful from it.

[Interviewer]

And it definitely has paid off. So do you now consider the work that you've done on the film almost.

[BBC Correspondent Chichi Zindu]

Like a calling card for girls like.

[Interviewer]

Yourself growing up in America, Young American Asian girls, to say there are barriers, but you can push through them?

[Arden Cho]

Oh, definitely. I mean, when I read the script and when I sort of broke down Rumi, I was like, yes, her battle is really about her identity and her duality and her being part demon, part human. And though I'm not part even part human, for some odd reason, it just felt so comfortable and natural because I knew what that felt like, right? 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. Like, there's just so many obstacles, which again, I feel like for so long it wasn't talked about. And then now I'm hitting the era of age. Age is also a big thing. And I think one of the most exciting things I've been realizing is how many women are so excited for just this moment in my career. But also being like, I grew up with you and my daughters think I'm cool now because I knew you before they knew you and we've found something to bond together. And I'm like, wait, my career has bonded your family? Like, that is such a great honor. And also I'm like, huh, I guess you're right. Even I didn't think that I could have this kind of moment in my career at this point or this age. You know, for so many years, I thought it was too late or that I missed it. And in a weird way, I'm like, I feel like now this is just the beginning.

[BBC Correspondent Chichi Zindu]

You're listening to the interview from the BBC World Service. People shaping our world from all over the world.

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[BBC Correspondent Chichi Zindu]

For this episode of the interview, I'm speaking to Korean American actor Arden Cho. This interview is taking place in a beautiful home in Los Angeles. It sits on top of a hill so we can look down across the sprawling city. We're a bit hidden away up in.

[Interviewer]

The trees, but it is so picturesque here.

[BBC Correspondent Chichi Zindu]

When Arden Cho walked in, it was such a warm, friendly hello. She hugged everyone in the room. There was nothing fussy about her. She was just all smiles. She was just an everyday girl who happened to be in one of the.

[Interviewer]

Most popular films of the year and in Netflix's history.

[BBC Correspondent Chichi Zindu]

Okay, let's return to my conversation with Arden Cho.

[Interviewer]

So I want to touch on something that you said about race in America, because it's a conversation that has re erupted largely down to what's been going on with the immigration ICE agents. That's immigration agents being Asian American living in the United States. Whilst that's going on around you, how does that make you feel?

[Arden Cho]

I mean, it's heartbreaking and disappointing. Immigrants have made America what it is I feel like I grew up experiencing so much racism. But I felt like as an adult, I found a lot of peace knowing that a lot of it was because people were uneducated in what it meant to be Korean or Asian. They just didn't know. And if kids don't see someone who looks like me, they don't know kids. In my mind, it's like, oh, they didn't know better, right? And now, of course, if, like, teachers or adults were bullies to me, and I experienced that, you know, now I know as an adult, like, they're hurting people. I mean, they're hurt, they're broken themselves. And so I don't let that, like, affect me as much. But now, in this day and age when I feel like the world and people should know better, it is beyond disappointing to say. Sometimes I feel like we feel so hopeless. But it does feel very special that a movie like K Pop Demon Hunters can bring so much hope and joy and love to all these different communities, saying, yeah, this is what it's about. And I'm like, I don't know, maybe that's why it's sort of like this movie of the summer of the years, because we just needed some hope and something to unite us all together and say, I don't know, maybe we're just. We've all lost our way a bit. I guess I'm just a believer that life isn't meant to be lived alone or with the people just like you. I feel like communities and different cultures and people from all around the world is what makes life colorful and beautiful and worth living. Right. It's so boring otherwise. And, you know, and I can't believe I grew up so ashamed and embarrassed of my Korean culture, mainly because of bullies who just didn't know they didn't know any better. And now those are the kids saying, oh, where do I find that food? Where do I listen to that music? Now? It's just been really, really interesting. The amount of conversations and letters I've received and kind words from, again, other Korean Americans or minorities who are like, this has been such a refreshing moment in time where for the first time, I'm really proud to be Korean, to be Korean American, and proud that everybody wants to know about our food and our culture and our clothes and our music. And there's so much history woven into the movie. It's about so much more than just K Pop and demons, but everything. The amount of love and heart that was poured into this movie is so clear. You know, the artists the animators, our directors, producers, everyone that touched this project is, like, honorary Korean. And I feel like it's really healing to have these conversations with other Korean Americans who are like, wait, you were made fun of too, for your lunch? You know, so many of us have done the thing where we throw our lunch away or hide our food from our parents because we don't want to get made fun of or because someone says it smells just because it's different. I mean, most of it doesn't even smell. Sure, kimchi smells a little, but it smells awesome. And if you don't like it, you don't like it. But it's okay. You don't have to make fun of it, you know? But now, like, all my nieces and nephews and all my friends, kids, they are so cool. They're like. They're just cool to be Korean, right? I mean, who knew. Who knew that an entire culture could sort of overnight become so, so cool and loved? And again, we can't take all credit for it. I feel like K Pop really, truly has paved the way. K Beauty has been such a big impact on Korea being loved. But I feel like this movie sort of is the one that tipped it over the edge of everybody wants to go to Korea now.

[Interviewer]

It's been such a huge success, an absolutely huge success.

[Arden Cho]

So I feel like I'm just in this season where I'm really happy just to be here. And I hope to continue making stories that make people feel good, that make people have great conversations, that bring hope and healing, and again, put women in a place where you can be all of it. Right? K Pop Demon Hunters is one of the first movies where you see three female leads that are heroes. But they're strong, they're fierce, they're beautiful, they're funny, they're silly, they burp. Right? And I feel like quite often, women are very boxed. You know, if you're strong, then you're not that pretty. If you're pretty, then you have to be like this damsel in distressed, you know? And so I think it's. It's time for us to really be. Be assertive and be putting ourselves out there, saying, I can tell my story. I can be the main character. I think for so long, I never thought I could be the main character. Even though I was the lead on Partner Track, I don't even think I ever really understood that. And I feel like it took me, the show being canceled and me sort of taking a hold of my career in a different way, because it's not about what other people think or doing it for someone else. I feel like now, for the first time ever, I'm doing it for me. And even this movie, you know, I did it because I wanted to do it for little Arden so that I could be a part of a Korean animated movie that I would have wanted to see growing up, so that every little girl I know or my future kids can watch it and feel like they're cool just by existing. And. And it was just. It was for me, like I needed it. And how cool is it that it ended up being for everyone?

[Interviewer]

So you quit. Quit the industry. You took time out, you'd had enough, and then you do K Pop Demon Hunters because it's a project that you wanted to be part of, and now there's Oscar buzz.

[Arden Cho]

Yes. How do you feel about that? I mean, hey, that's incredible. Yeah, never. Definitely never considered that. Never expected that. But I feel like it'd be really meaningful and special for Koreans and Asian Americans in the business.

[BBC Correspondent Chichi Zindu]

So I want to talk about Hollywood a little bit more.

[Interviewer]

MeToo was huge nearly 10 years ago now, which in itself is shocking. But the new concern for a lot of people in the industry is AI. And some people would argue that K Pop Demon Hunters is a prime example of how AI could be used to. Whether it's for the animation or the voicing, how it could be used to effectively change the industry. So from your perspective, is it something that you're concerned about? Are you excited that AI could be introduced to make things more realistic or less realistic or, I don't know, more fantastical?

[Arden Cho]

I guess when it comes to things like AI in acting and music, I want to have hope in humanity that they would still seek out art that has humans behind it. Sure. I'm sure they're going to have AI actors and singers. I know they already exist. I know our voices are already being manipulated, but I hope people have some respect and want and love for something real. And, I mean, if that's. That's the way it goes, that's the way it goes. We can't. We can't control that. But I feel like I'm someone that looks for music that I know is written with heart, recorded with soul. And I hope that for movies, the same. Because even though, yes, in animation, people feel like it's so close to that. There are hundreds and hundreds of people who worked on every single frame to make it what it is. But that's also movies, Right. Hundreds of people work on a movie to make it happen. It's unfortunate that sometimes you only see the directors and the actors and the producers and the writers, but there are so many people on a crew behind the scenes that work tirelessly to do what we do. And if people want to take that away or diminish those jobs or.

[BBC Correspondent Chichi Zindu]

It.

[Arden Cho]

Would make me very mad to say it in the most PC way. And sure, okay, someone could AI all of this, but I wouldn't be real and it wouldn't be the same. And I feel like as smart or intelligent or as helpful as AI can be, I feel like it will never have heart and soul the way that we do. And I know that music and art, at least for me, the reason I do it and the reason I love it is because of how it makes me feel and that I don't think can be replicated. So I hope, I hope people people know. But it is funny, I did see some rumors that people thought our Hunt Trick singers were AI at one point because it was so good. But guess what? Our girls are real and they can sing. And so, you know, in a way, I guess it's a really nice compliment to be compared to AI. But you know, with all things in the future and things moving so fast, I mean, I can barely keep up. So who knows? I'm gonna be hopeful though.

[BBC Correspondent Chichi Zindu]

Thank you for listening to the interview from the BBC World Service. You'll find more in depth conversations on the interview wherever you get your BBC podcasts, including episodes with Anika Wells, the Minister in Charge of Australia, a social media band for under 16s, Google boss Sundar Pichai, and Hollywood great Sir Anthony Hopkins. Until next time, Bye for now.

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