Honestly, if you haven't seen the vibrant, neon-soaked world of Kpop Demon Hunters on Netflix yet, you are missing out on one of the most stylish pieces of animation Sony has ever touched. It’s loud. It’s colorful. It’s surprisingly deep for a movie about girls slaying monsters between dance rehearsals. While the whole group HUNTR/X is great, everyone is talking about Zoey.
The character of Zoey is basically the heart of the group, and finding out who is behind that voice—and that singing—is a bit of a rabbit hole. Ji-young Yoo provides the speaking voice, while the singing is handled by the edgy and talented Rei Ami. It’s a dual-threat performance that gives Zoey her specific "maknae" (youngest member) energy.
The Voice Behind the Lyrics: Ji-young Yoo as Zoey
Ji-young Yoo isn't just some random voice actor they found in a booth. She’s been on a massive trajectory lately. You might recognize her from the Amazon series Expats alongside Nicole Kidman, where she played Mercy. That role was heavy. It was tragic. So, seeing her pivot to a high-energy, rapper-slash-demon-slayer like Zoey was a total curveball for fans.
Yoo brings a very specific vulnerability to the Kpop Demon Hunters cast. Zoey isn't just the "cute one." She’s the lyricist. She’s the one who grew up in the States and feels that weird, persistent pressure to please everyone. Yoo has talked in interviews about how much energy it took to record Zoey’s lines. She’d come out of the booth absolutely drained because Zoey is essentially a human lightning bolt.
It’s interesting because Yoo actually started her career under her birth name, SunHee Seo. She appeared in the Netflix movie Moxie back in 2021 before rebranding to Ji-young Yoo. She’s also the voice of Eun-yu in the English dub of Sweet Home. The girl has range.
Why Zoey Matters to the Story
In the movie, Zoey is the youngest member of HUNTR/X. She’s the "maknae," which in K-pop culture usually means you’re the baby of the family. But she’s also the group’s secret weapon. Her weapon of choice? A shinkal knife.
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She’s the most optimistic of the trio, often trying to bridge the gap when Rumi (voiced by Arden Cho) and Mira (voiced by May Hong) are at each other's throats. There's a scene where Rumi refuses to perform a song called "Takedown" because she’s stressed, and Zoey just keeps trying to rewrite the lyrics on the fly to make everyone happy. It’s relatable. It’s that "middle child" energy even though she’s the youngest.
The Secret Ingredient: Rei Ami’s Vocals
While Ji-young Yoo handles the talking, the music is a whole different beast. If you’ve been humming "Golden" or "Takedown" for three days straight, you’re hearing Rei Ami.
Rei Ami is an actual indie-pop and rap artist in the real world. She’s known for her song "Freak," which went viral a few years back. Her voice is slightly raspy, sharp, and perfect for a K-pop rapper. The creators didn't want the singing to sound like "Disney" singing. They wanted it to sound like a real K-pop idol would sound in 2025 or 2026.
By splitting the role between an elite actor like Yoo and a legit recording artist like Rei Ami, the movie achieves a level of "E-E-A-T" (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness) that most animated musicals fail at. It feels authentic. It doesn't feel like a parody of K-pop; it feels like a tribute.
The Character’s Relatability
Zoey is the only member of the group with a different nationality—she’s the Korean-American representation. Small details in the film highlight this, like the Uncle Sam hat on her cup of noodles or her obsession with turtles. She’s also the only one with freckles and bangs, making her design instantly recognizable.
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Fans have already started "shipping" her with characters like Mystery Saja from the rival boy band, creating the "Zoeystery" fandom. It’s wild how fast these characters have taken on a life of their own online.
Behind the Scenes of the Kpop Demon Hunters Cast
The chemistry between the cast members is what makes the movie work. You’ve got:
- Arden Cho (Rumi): The leader and the voice of reason. Cho, known for Teen Wolf, brings a "big sister" vibe that balances Zoey's chaos.
- May Hong (Mira): The "tomboy" dancer. Hong’s performance is blunt and dry, which makes her interactions with the bubbly Zoey hilarious.
- Ken Jeong (Bobby): The manager. He’s essentially the comic relief, but he also acts as the glue for the girls' public personas.
Maggie Kang and Chris Appelhans, the directors, clearly wanted a cast that understood the cultural nuances. They didn't just hire big names for the sake of it; they hired people who could actually represent the Korean diaspora.
The Success of the Film
Since its release on June 20, 2025, the movie has become a juggernaut. It’s currently the most-watched original title in Netflix history. We’re talking over 500 million views. The soundtrack even hit the Billboard Hot 100, which is insane for an animated film.
A lot of that success comes down to the character of Zoey. She is the bridge for Western audiences. Because she grew up in the US and moved to Korea, her struggles with identity and "fitting in" resonate with a global audience. She’s the dork. She’s the one who cries popcorn (literally, in one scene).
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What Most People Get Wrong About Zoey
One major misconception is that Zoey is just the "sidekick." If you look at the plot of Kpop Demon Hunters, she’s actually the one who pushes the group toward the "golden Honmoon"—the state of perfect harmony they need to defeat the demons. Without her optimism, Rumi would have burnt out halfway through the World Tour.
Another thing: people often think Ji-young Yoo is actually singing. She’s a great performer, but she’s been very open about the fact that she’s the "voice" and Rei Ami is the "vibe" for the songs. This transparency is part of why the production is so well-respected.
Moving Forward: What’s Next for the Cast?
With a sequel already planned for 2029 and a short film titled Debut: A KPop Demon Hunters Story on the horizon, we’re going to be seeing a lot more of Zoey. Ji-young Yoo’s star is only rising—she’s recently been nominated for a North Carolina Film Critics Association award for her voice work here.
If you’re looking to dive deeper into the world of Zoey and the Kpop Demon Hunters cast, you should start by following the real-life artists behind the characters.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Listen to Rei Ami's solo discography: If you love Zoey’s rap verses, check out Rei Ami’s album Foil. It gives you a much better sense of the vocal style that inspired the character.
- Watch 'Expats' on Amazon Prime: To see the dramatic range of Ji-young Yoo, this is essential viewing. It’s a complete 180 from her role as Zoey.
- Stream the 'Kpop Demon Hunters' Sing-Along: Netflix released a special version with lyrics on screen. It’s the best way to catch all the "Zoey-isms" in the lyrics that you might have missed the first time around.
- Check out the 'Until Dawn' movie: Ji-young Yoo stars as Megan in this horror adaptation, showing she can do more than just animation and prestige drama.