Arden Cho Shines as Breakthrough Entertainer After Setbacks

Arden Cho has emerged as a standout performer after overcoming significant challenges in her acting career. Three years ago, she contemplated leaving the industry after her first lead role in the Netflix series “Partner Track” was canceled after just one season. Today, Cho has been recognized as one of The Associated Press’ Breakthrough Entertainers of 2025 for her role as Rumi in the hit animated film “KPop Demon Hunters.” The film has quickly become Netflix’s most-streamed movie, with catchy tracks like “Golden” and “Soda Pop” dominating global music charts. Cho describes this as her “golden moment,” and her success has opened doors to multiple film projects scheduled for next year.

Owen Cooper, also named a Breakthrough Entertainer for 2025, has made a significant impact in a short time. At just 16, he won an Emmy for best supporting actor for his role as a murder suspect in the British Netflix drama “Adolescence.” Reflecting on his journey, Cooper shared that he once spent most of his time playing soccer before discovering his passion for acting. He is set to make his film debut in director Emerald Fennell’s adaptation of “Wuthering Heights” next year.

In broader entertainment news, Time magazine is preparing to announce its Person of the Year for 2025. Among the frontrunners are significant figures such as artificial intelligence, tech leaders Jensen Huang of Nvidia and Sam Altman of OpenAI, as well as Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope, and political figures like former President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The entertainment world is also mourning the loss of British author Sophie Kinsella, who passed away at the age of 55. Kinsella, best known for her humorous novels, authored numerous bestsellers, starting with “The Tennis Party” and later introducing readers to the beloved character Becky Bloomwood in the “Shopaholic” series.

In the realm of opera, composer Jake Heggie is set to premiere his new work, “The Judgment of Paris,” at California’s Festival Napa Valley on July 18, 2024. This opera, inspired by the iconic 1976 wine tasting event that saw California wines outshine French selections, features a blend of myth and humor. Heggie is known for his compelling storytelling, and this one-act, 60-minute piece promises to engage audiences with its unique premise.

The Sundance Film Festival is gearing up for its final edition in Park City, Utah, announcing a lineup of 90 feature films for January 2026. Among the highlights is Charli XCX, who stars in three films, including a mockumentary she produced. The festival continues to showcase diversity, with 40% of this year’s films featuring first-time directors.

Looking ahead to the fashion world, the Met Gala has announced its next co-chairs, including Beyoncé, Venus Williams, Nicole Kidman, and Vogue’s Anna Wintour. The star-studded event will take place in May 2025, with Williams returning to the role seven years after her sister Serena served as co-chair. The upcoming gala will celebrate the spring fashion exhibit “Costume Art,” which examines the relationship between clothing and art history.

As the entertainment landscape continues to evolve, these stories highlight the resilience and creativity of artists navigating both triumphs and tribulations in their careers.