Arden Cho recently discussed the language and culture challenges she faced while voicing Rumi in KPop Demon Hunters. The animated film mixes Korean themes with international appeal, requiring Cho to deliver performances grounded in authenticity. Her experience reflects the rising demand for cultural accuracy in global storytelling.
Delivering lines in Korean posed a significant challenge for Cho. Although conversational in the language, she struggled with complex terms such as “honmun.” Every word had to sound natural, especially for Korean audiences. Despite the difficulty, she said hearing viewers acknowledge her effort made it worthwhile.
The film’s English script was also adapted to mirror Korean conversational rhythm. Cho explained that tone and pacing had to reflect Korean speech patterns, even in English. She and the production team worked closely to preserve cultural nuances in every scene.
One unexpected difficulty involved voicing a scene where her character eats kimbap. The director asked her to create a comedic yet believable chewing sound. Cho admitted she had never done anything like it and practiced extensively to get it right. She said small moments like that showed how culture can shape storytelling detail.
To secure the role, Cho auditioned alongside many other actors. She said animation was a new and intimidating format for her. However, she told herself that doing her best was the only way to avoid future regrets. That mindset carried her through the process.
Romantic scenes with the character Jinu tested her ability to express emotion while acting alone in a booth. She found emotional depth more difficult to express than comedic timing. However, she also discovered a new appreciation for voice work’s subtlety and complexity.
During production, Cho introduced the team to Korean food, including dishes like samgyeopsal and japchae. Many crew members were hesitant at first but quickly became fans. Cho said sharing food helped bridge language and culture differences on set.
Her next project, Perfect Girl, explores the emotional lives of K-pop trainees. The film is directed by a Korean filmmaker and was written to reflect women’s voices and pressures. Cho described it as a story rooted in identity and cultural experience.
In closing, Arden Cho’s role in KPop Demon Hunters highlights how language and culture shape performance. Her ability to navigate both worlds shows the growing importance of cultural fluency in global entertainment. As her career expands, so does her influence in connecting diverse audiences.
