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This exclusive piece delves into extraordinary interviews and narratives from worldwide.

"{I hated that I looked Asian, that I lacked blue eyes and blonde hair, because those were the beauty standards back then," says Arden Cho, who portrayed Rumi in Netflix's highly successful movie, the K-pop themed animation.

Cho, 40, is describing her childhood in the southern state, as the firstborn child of Korean immigrant parents and her struggle for acceptance in American society.

In the movie, which narrates the tale of a girl group who must save the world from evil forces, the protagonist has to come to terms with her true nature as part human, part demon – and when she first saw the screenplay, this resonated powerfully.

"Growing up in the US, feeling American but having people treat me like I'm not, grappling with my identity as an Asian-American, as a Asian-American, as a woman," she says.

These were all aspects of her early life that paralleled the character's path.

"I can honestly say, at different points in my life, I despised a lot of myself and I wanted to be a different person.

"As kids, what you see influences who you become and it seems I just didn't see enough people that look like me."

When it debuted on the platform in June, KPop Demon Hunters registered 33 million views in just two weeks, and secured the top 10 of the Netflix charts in 93 countries. To be part of the first Hollywood animated film set in Korea, with Asian protagonists, was for her "an aspiration realized" – but it has also established her as a powerful role model for young Asian-Americans, the type that she lacked when she was young.

Cho says many individuals of Korean descent have told her it's "a breath of fresh air", making them proud for the first instance of their mixed background and cultural roots.

"I feel like K-Pop really, truly, has paved the way. Korean cosmetics has had such a big impact on global appreciation for Korea. But I feel like this movie is the one that tipped it over the edge, of, inspiring travel to Korea, now," she comments.

But the film's success was not guaranteed and Cho admits she felt the team making it were "sometimes facing an uphill battle".

"I feel like it's unfortunate to mention this, but whenever there's an production with Asian leads, it's perceived like it's a risk," she reveals.

So, when she accepted the part, she took steps to connect with the entire cast and crew in person, she says.

The movie was released against the backdrop of increased immigration raids in the US as part of mass deportation efforts, which triggered demonstrations in numerous regions.

As an person of Asian descent residing in America "it's deeply saddening," she states. "Immigrants have shaped the nation."

Reports have estimated that up to 150,000 individuals from Korea lacking legal status, including adopted children, are among those who could be removed.

As an adult, she understood that the prejudice she had encountered when she was younger stemmed mainly from a lack of education, as many were unaware what it meant to be Korean or Asian.

"However today, in the modern era, when it seems the world and individuals ought to be more informed, it's deeply disheartening and at times I feel like we feel so hopeless," she expresses.

Due to this, it feels very special, she says, that KPop Demon Hunters could bring "optimism and happiness to various groups".

"Maybe that's why it's sort of like this movie of the summer, because we just needed positivity and a unifying element as one."

The advancement of artificial intelligence is a major concern for the entertainment sector, raising the possibility that in coming years it could be used to make a movie like the animation.

Cho says she is aware that technology is already being used to copy actors' voices, but wants to "have hope in humanity" that audiences will still seek out human-made creativity.

"Sure, I believe there will be AI actors and singers. I know they already exist. I understand our voices are already being altered, but I trust people have some respect and desire for authentic creations."

KPop Demon Hunters has also been leading the global music charts, with seven tracks from its score featured on the prestigious charts. It has its own fan art, and viewers globally are calling for a sequel.

She tells us she wishes she could answer the inquiry of whether that will happen – but both she and fans will have to wait for the streaming service or the studio, which made the film, to give it the green light.

"I know there's lots of murmurs, I've heard wonderful things," she shares. "Only time will tell, and I think fans everywhere would riot if there wasn't."

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