The cast of ‘KPop Demon Hunters’ on why their film is the perfect entryway into K-pop

Rendy Jones: What led to your roles? Did you audition for the characters you were cast as?
Arden Cho: I actually didn't. I actually auditioned for the mom character. 

Ji-young Yoo: Oh, really? Whoa.

May Hong: Celine?

AC: Yes, years ago. And then, I think because of the pandemic, it was slightly paused. Then it came back later as Rumi. And I was like, “Ooh. I would love to be Rumi.” But I didn't know if I was right for it. I mean, now I'm like, “Oh, yeah, I'm Rumi.”

MH: I haven't thought about this but I did read for everyone, all three of us. 

JY: I think I read for all three as well, now that I think back on it. 

AC: I didn’t know you [points to Hong had to read for hers [points to Yoo].

MH: It was really hard to do Zoey.

JY: Oh, really? 

MH: I mean, because I have such a lower register. 

JY: It felt like it was hard for me to do Mira. 

AC: Wow, this is so funny. We never talked about this.

MH: I know.

JY: I mean, I was auditioning for this for like a year and a half. Oh, it's a long journey. 

RJ: How did you guys find that camaraderie in the recording sessions? Finding the comedy and also the emotional resonance in your performances?
MH: We were not together. 

AC: Yeah. We, we all recorded separately.

RJ: Really? Those press pictures. They lied!
AC: I know. So we did some press sessions together. We did record the trailer together. Like bits of the audio for the trailer I think they used is true. Sound bites from when we were together. But yeah, all of our actual sessions were separate, but we had some amazing direction from (directors) Maggie [Kang] and Chris [Appelhans] to really bring out all the characters. They were some great readers for us.

MH: Yeah. They were so good. They really just channeled every character so well. So it felt like they were in the room with me.

RJ: What was it like working with Chris and Maggie as directors, and having to match the animation's frenetic energy?
JY:  They create a really lovely, warm, welcoming vibe when you're recording with them. So it's pretty easy to start letting your guard down and getting really goofy and going really crazy. They really encourage you to go as far as you can think of. And then they'll reel you back in. And I love that kind of work because it means you can just really go crazy and then the directors will be like, “Okay, like now let's take it a step back.” So I think it was a perfect work situation. It was really great.

MH: I don't know how it is for others. This is my first voiceover job, but they didn't ever really stare at me when I was doing anything. 

JY: Oh yeah. 

MH: Like that made me feel comfortable. I didn't feel watched.

JY: It’s like half the time their eyes were closed. Because they were listening so hard. 

MH: Yeah, I loved that they were closing their eyes and listening 'cause they would just kind of play what it looks like in their minds and just hear, and then I would see Chris or Maggie mark, “that's the one.” But with their eyes closed. And that was cool to see.

RJ: If you were to hang out with any of the Huntrix members as a ride or die, who would it be?
AC: Zoey. Sorry. Zoey's my bias. She's just so cute.

JY: I think I can't hang with Zoey for that long.

AC: Woooow. Way to hate on—I’m just kidding.

JY: Truly, I would get tired. She has so much energy that sometimes I watch and—maybe it's because I did the voice—I'm exhausted watching her. I think I would probably hang out with Mira. 

AC: I could see that.

MH: Sort of the same. Kind of weird to say I would hang out with myself. 

AC: Damn, no one wants to hang out with Rumi.

JY: Yeah. But I love Zoey to be very clear. I love her. I just am not extroverted enough to hang with Zoey. 

RJ: If you were to be slaying demons while jamming out, which songs or artists would be on your playlist?
JY: “Squabble Up” by Kendrick Lamar.

AC: I'm just gonna have to throw a “Take Down” in there. Because, that's a Huntrix single. 

RJ: What does it feel like to portray this love and tribute to Korean culture in this badass and beautiful project?
AC: It's such an honor. I feel so lucky to be able to be just a part of a project like this and that a movie like this is happening. It's going out into the world in just a few days here, and I can't wait. I've already got all these groups to watch the movie. It’s like my nieces, my friends’ kids, all these couples. We have all these little mini screening parties and I’m so excited. I feel like it's super exciting for Korean Americans.

JY: I heard a great phrase when I was young that the more specific a story is, the more universal it is. And I think this is a wonderful example of it. People are people no matter where they come from. And so I think because we're telling such a strong story that has such a sense of place and a perspective, I think that's what's attractive to audience members, no matter where they're from, no matter if they've listened to K-Pop before. So I think it's a perfect way to enter the world if you haven't been there before. And a perfect way to celebrate it if you're already a fan.