Arden Cho on Her Role as Rumi in KPop Demon Hunters – Insights from Interviews and Behind-the-Scenes

As a longtime fan of animation and K-pop culture, I've followed Arden Cho's career from her breakout in Teen Wolf to her voice work in Netflix's smash hit KPop: Demon Hunters. Released in 2025, the film has captivated audiences with its blend of high-energy music, supernatural battles, and themes of identity and friendship. At the center is Rumi, voiced by Cho, a K-pop idol with a hidden demonic heritage. Drawing from Wikipedia entries and recent YouTube interviews, let's explore Cho's thoughts on bringing Rumi to life, her audition process, and how the role resonates with real-world struggles. If you're searching for Arden Cho Rumi role insights, KPop Demon Hunters interviews 2025, or behind-the-scenes details, this deep dive pulls from reliable sources to give you the full picture.

Rumi's Character: A Leader with Hidden Demons

In KPop: Demon Hunters, Rumi is the charismatic leader of the girl group Huntr/x (also stylized as HUNTR/X), juggling global stardom with secret demon-hunting duties. She's confident, ambitious, and hardworking, always motivating her bandmates Mira and Zoey while hiding a deep secret: her partial demon heritage, which manifests as marks on her body and causes her to lose her voice due to shame. This internal conflict drives much of the plot, as Rumi grapples with self-acceptance, especially after her heritage is exposed during the Idol Awards.

Cho's performance has been praised for its emotional depth. Critic Jeff Ewing from Collider noted that she delivers a "complex and emotional vocal performance," highlighting Rumi's distinct personality within the group's dynamic. The character's arc parallels real-life experiences like coming out or dealing with cultural pressures, emphasizing the power of community. As Cho herself put it in interviews, "without Mira and Zoey, she wouldn't have made it," underscoring how friendship helps overcome personal demons.

For a visual sense of Rumi in action, here's a key screenshot from the film showing her in performance mode, purple braid flowing as she belts out "Golden." Image sourced from official Netflix promotional materials: . This captures her poised exterior masking inner turmoil.

Arden Cho's Audition Journey and Personal Connection to Rumi

Cho didn't initially set out to play Rumi. In a candid interview with The Times of India, she revealed auditioning first for Celine, the group's mentor, but co-director Maggie Kang encouraged her to try for the lead. "I was overjoyed beyond words," Cho shared, noting how the role became a path to self-discovery as a Korean-American actress. She connected deeply with Rumi's struggles, drawing from her own experiences in Hollywood.

In a Collider YouTube interview titled "Arden Cho Put 20 Years of Acting Baggage Into Rumi," Cho discussed channeling two decades of industry challenges into the character. She explained how Rumi's fear of rejection mirrors the pressures faced by Asian-American performers: "It's very new for Korean culture to even talk about therapy. With this movie, we’re breaking generational trauma without telling people we are." Cho aimed to be "genuine and authentic" in voicing Rumi, collaborating with singing voice actress EJAE to create a layered performance.

Another YouTube clip from Variety features Cho alongside co-stars May Hong and Ji-young Yoo, where she hopes the film's success "excites people in our business," proving animation can spotlight diverse stories. She also touched on Rumi's romance with Jinu, describing their emotional ballad as a moment of shared vulnerability.

Check out this screenshot of Rumi confronting her heritage, a pivotal scene that Cho infused with raw emotion. From film stills referenced in fandom wikis: .

The Impact of Rumi: Fan Reactions and Sequel Hopes

Rumi has inspired fan art, cosplay, and covers of songs like "Golden," with Cho noting in an IPM Newsroom interview how she's seen "artists on social media drawing Rumi in their own style." Her University of Illinois roots even came up in discussions, where she credited her college days for building resilience that informed the role.

In Hollywood Reporter chats on YouTube, Cho and her co-stars expressed excitement for a sequel, teasing more exploration of Rumi's post-trauma growth. "Who would have thought that animation would be the thing to put us on the map?" she mused in Variety.

For one more visual, here's a screenshot of the Huntr/x trio in battle gear, with Rumi front and center – a testament to Cho's powerful portrayal. .

Final Thoughts on Arden Cho's Transformative Performance

Having tracked K-pop and animation trends for years, I can say Cho's work as Rumi stands out for its authenticity and heart. The role not only showcases her vocal talents but also amplifies messages of self-acceptance. For more, watch her full interviews on YouTube channels like Collider and Variety, or check Wikipedia for plot details. As the film continues to break records, Rumi's story – and Cho's insights – remind us of the healing power of storytelling.