Every now and then, a performance lands and detonates into a cultural movement. Arden Cho’s turn as Rumi in KPop Demon Hunters feels like one of those moments. The animated Netflix hit has been everywhere: a Billboard-charting soundtrack, viral clips, and even special screenings that sold out in minutes. Cho’s delivery is sharp and playful, the kind of performance that makes a character linger long after the credits roll.
But Rumi isn’t the first time Cho has been the center of a story. Before she was slicing demons in half, she was slicing through corporate ceilings in Partner Track, Netflix’s stylish, underrated legal drama. The series dropped in 2022, ran for just one season, and then quietly faded from conversation — which is a shame, because Cho’s work in it is one of the best cases for why she should be headlining projects like KPop Demon Hunters in the first place.
Inside Arden Cho’s Leading Role in Netflix’s Partner Track
Partner Track trades demon hordes for conference rooms, but the stakes feel just as high. Cho’s Ingrid Yun is a first-generation Korean American lawyer determined to make partner at Parsons Valentine & Hunt, an elite Manhattan law firm with a culture as toxic as it is prestigious. Cho plays her as whip-smart and fierce, a woman who believes she can outmaneuver the system even as it slowly wears her down. Seeing Ingrid navigate a male-dominated workplace is both inspiring and frustrating because it feels authentic. For many women, especially women of color, Ingrid’s small compromises and the microaggressions she faces are all too familiar. Her parents, played by Esther Moon and Jo Sung, still believe in working hard and trusting the system, while Ingrid tries to figure out how to stay true to herself. Cho captures this conflict in the smallest shifts — a glance, a sigh, a pause that says more than words.
Some of Cho’s best work pops up in Partner Track Season 1 Episode 4, “Due Diligence.” Ingrid faces pressure from all sides — a massive deal threatens to implode, and a boyfriend is pushing faster than she’s ready to go. Coupled with that, a rival associate is also circling like a shark. Director Kevin Berlandi resists the temptation to give Ingrid a dramatic speech. Instead, he keeps the camera close and lets Cho do the heavy lifting in silence: a pause that lingers too long, a smile that strains at the edges, a flicker of guilt when ambition wins out over principle. Ingrid’s friends are a bright spot in the stressful world of Partner Track. Tyler, played by Bradley Gibson, stands up to racism and awkward moments with humor and honesty. Rachel, played by Alexandra Turshen, is both funny and thoughtful as she grapples with the decision of whether to stay in her job or pursue something more fulfilling. Together, they help Ingrid relax and remind viewers she’s more than just her job.
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Arden Cho Is a Badass Whether Fighting Demons or Bias
Part of the Cho effect is that she never plays “strong” as just tough. Her characters are fierce, yes, but there are always cracks where you can see the vulnerability peeking through. In KPop Demon Hunters, Rumi is strong and determined, but the weight of responsibility still shows on her. Ingrid Yun carries that same contradiction. She can stride into a boardroom and win the day with one sharp line, then go home and stare at her ceiling, wondering if she’s just sold a piece of herself she can’t get back. That’s why it’s no wonder Partner Track hits harder than a typical legal drama. It’s not about case-of-the-week victories. It’s about the toll ambition takes — the moments when winning feels almost as devastating as losing. Cho and showrunner Georgia Lee make sure Ingrid never becomes a martyr or a one-dimensional careerist. She’s a woman figuring it out in real time, which keeps every choice she makes relatable.
Even the much-discussed love triangle benefits from that same thoughtful approach. Jeff Murphy, played by Dominic Sherwood, is a competitive new arrival from London and Ingrid’s ex. He’s both a challenge and a temptation. Nick Laren, played by Rob Heaps, is steady and offers a calm life, but Ingrid isn’t sure if that’s what she really wants. Cho portrays the tension in both relationships, making it clear that the real question is about who Ingrid wants to be. Watching Partner Track after KPop Demon Hunters is like watching Cho shift genres without breaking stride. One moment she’s leading a high-octane animated adventure, the next she’s carrying a drama that thrives on subtlety. Whether she’s performing on stage or in a courtroom, she brings both strength and vulnerability to her characters, making them all interesting to watch.
Want to see a different side of Cho? Partner Track is streaming exclusively on Netflix.
