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

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.

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.

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)

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

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.

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