It’s awards season, and the poker world has an unexpected reason to tune in. A hit animated Netflix film starring actress and poker player Arden Cho has landed two Academy Award nominations, including a nod for Best Animated Feature.
KPop Demon Hunters, released on Netflix in June 2025, quickly became a fan favorite. The film follows a K-pop girl group led by Rumi — voiced by Cho — who secretly battle demons while navigating superstardom, ultimately clashing with a rival boy band hiding a dark secret of its own. Critics and viewers alike embraced the movie, which currently boasts a 92% critics score and a near-perfect 99% audience rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
Directed by Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans, the animated feature also picked up a second Oscar nomination for Best Original Song. “Golden,” the film’s standout pop anthem, has exploded in popularity, surpassing one billion YouTube views in just six months.
From the Poker Table to the Red Carpet
Cho, a familiar face in both Hollywood and the poker scene, celebrated the Oscar recognition enthusiastically on social media.
“We are going to the OSCARS!!!” she wrote on X, later adding, “What an HONOR!”
Beyond her acting career, Cho has quietly built an impressive poker résumé. She has amassed $436,828 in live tournament earnings and has appeared on major televised cash games such as Hustler Casino Live and The Big Game on Tour. Her tournament results date back to 2013, and she continues to balance the felt with film sets.
Most recently, Cho finished 20th in the $10,000 Super Turbo Bounty at the 2025 World Series of Poker, earning $34,896. In 2024, she posted her biggest career score by finishing runner-up to Daniel Smiljkovic in the $1 million freeroll PokerGO Tour Championship, collecting $200,000.
Balancing Two Competitive Worlds
Speaking previously with PokerNews, Cho opened up about managing both careers and keeping poker enjoyable amid a demanding acting schedule.
“With acting, I put in an insane amount of preparation and work prior to filming, and even while filming, I’m constantly putting in work,” Cho said. “If I want to keep playing tournaments, I should probably do the same for poker — but can you blame me for wanting to keep it fun and exciting?”
In addition to KPop Demon Hunters, Cho’s acting credits include Teen Wolf, Chicago Med, and Hawaii Five-0, underscoring her versatility across genres.
Oscar Night Awaits
The winners will be revealed at the 98th Academy Awards, set for March 15 in Hollywood. Past Best Animated Feature winners include classics such as Shrek, Spirited Away, and WALL·E.
Whether or not KPop Demon Hunters takes home a statue, the film’s success — and Cho’s unique crossover between poker and entertainment — has already made it a standout story of the year.
