KPop Demon Hunters has been recognized again after voice actor Arden Cho won the Best Vocal Performance in Animation or Mixed Media award at the North Carolina Film Critics Association (NCFCA) ceremony on January 26, 2026. NCFCA is considered an important ceremony in the United States and is often watched closely during awards season. Its selections help indicate which films and actors have gained traction within the industry.
The award honored her role as Rumi in the animated film. Critics highlighted her ability to express emotion, humor, and cultural detail using only her voice. KPop Demon Hunters marked Arden Cho’s first major voice acting role and introduced her talent to global audiences. The category included several well-known voice actors, including May Hong, Jiyoung Yoo, Jason Bateman, and Ke Huy Quan. Arden was selected as the winner after reviewers described her performance as balanced, warm, and emotionally clear.
During her acceptance speech, Cho thanked the cast, the production team, and the fans who supported the film from the beginning. She stated that the award represents a shared achievement and expressed her intention to continue working in both voice and live action projects.
“This award is not an achievement mine alone. It’s the result of the incredible work by the fellow actors and production team I collaborated with, as well as the fans who supported us until the very end.”
In addition, KPop Demon Hunters won awards for Best Animation and Best Original Track thanks to “Golden” on the same night. The Netflix hit is expected to receive multiple honors at the Oscar Awards on March 15, 2026, with predictions stating that KPop Demon Hunters is likely to take Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song for “Golden.” Not falling short, the massive hit is nominated for Song of the Year, Best Pop/Duo Group Performance, Best Song Written for Visual Media, Best Remixed Recording, and its soundtrack scored a nomination for Best Compilation Soundtrack for Visual Media at the Grammys. The musical ceremony is taking place on February 1, 2026.