Actor Arden Cho won Best Voice Acting at the 53rd Annie Awards, often called the “Animation Oscars.”
The win follows her Best Vocal Performance in the Animation/Mixed Media category at last month’s North Carolina Film Critics Association (NCFCA) Awards, marking a second major honor in just a month.
"KPop Demon Hunters", the global hit Netflix animated feature led by Arden Cho, was the biggest winner of the night at the ceremony held on the 22nd (KST) at UCLA’s Royce Hall in Los Angeles. Including Cho’s award, the film swept 10 categories, taking Best Feature, Direction, Visual Effects, Character Design, Music, and Production Design, spotlighting both its craft and mainstream appeal.
“I’m so happy to receive this award at the Annie Awards,” Cho said in her acceptance speech. “It was an honor to voice Rumi, a character who stands tall in the face of crisis. I hope everyone can find the courage to overcome fear like Rumi.” She added, “It’s even more meaningful that this film can share Korean culture and the energy of K-pop with audiences around the world.”
The Annie Awards, presented annually by ASIFA-Hollywood (the Hollywood branch of the International Animated Film Association), honor excellence across theatrical features and shorts, independent animation, TV and streaming projects, and student films. Established by ASIFA in 1972 and launched the following year, the Annies are widely regarded as the “Animation Oscars.”
Since its June release last year, "KPop Demon Hunters" has surged in global popularity, setting all-time viewership records on Netflix and racking up wins at the Critics Choice and Golden Globes, plus a Grammy Award for its OST. With its 10-trophy sweep at the Annies, the film has reinforced its worldwide impact and heightened awards-season buzz ahead of the 98th Academy Awards in March.
(SBS Entertainment News | Kim Ji-hye)