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"{I disliked that I had Asian features, that I didn't have blue eyes and blonde hair, because that's what was beautiful at the time," reveals Arden Cho, who portrayed the lead character in the streaming platform's chart-topping animated film, KPop Demon Hunters.

Cho, 40, recalls her early years in Texas, as the firstborn child of Korean immigrant parents and her journey toward belonging in the United States.

In the movie, which tells the story of a girl group who must rescue humanity from evil forces, Rumi has to come to terms with her identity as part human, part demon – and when she first saw the screenplay, this struck a deep chord.

"Being born in America, identifying as American but having people treat me like a foreigner, trying to figure out my identity as an Asian-American, as a Korean-American, as a woman," she explains.

These were all components of her early life that mirrored the character's path.

"I can honestly say, at different points in my existence, I despised a lot of myself and I longed to become a different person.

"As kids, your surroundings influences who you become and I feel like I lacked exposure to sufficient individuals that look like me."

When it launched on Netflix in the summer, the animated feature achieved 33 million views in just 14 days, and reached the highest positions of the Netflix charts in dozens of nations. To be part of the first Hollywood animated film set in Korea, with Korean leads, was for Cho "an aspiration realized" – but it has also made her a inspiring figure for young Asian-Americans, the type that she lacked when in her youth.

Cho notes many individuals of Korean descent have told her it's "such a refreshing moment", making them feel pride for the first time of their dual heritage and culture.

"In my view Korean pop music really, truly, has paved the way. K-beauty has had such a big impact on Korea being loved. But I believe the film is the one that tipped it over the edge, of, everybody wants to go to Korea, now," she comments.

But the film's success was uncertain and the actress admits she felt the team making it were "occasionally struggling against odds".

"I feel like it's unfortunate to mention this, but whenever there's an Asian-led project, people feel like it's a risk," she reveals.

So, when she took on the role, she made an effort to connect with the entire cast and crew face-to-face, she adds.

The movie was launched amid increased immigration raids in the US as part of extensive removal policies, which triggered demonstrations in numerous regions.

As an Asian-American residing in America "it's deeply saddening," she states. "Newcomers have shaped the nation."

Reports have suggested that up to one hundred fifty thousand individuals from Korea lacking legal status, including adopted children, are among those who could be removed.

As an grown-up, Cho understood that the racism she had encountered when in her youth stemmed mainly from a lack of education, as many were unaware what it signified to be Korean or Asian.

"But now, in this day and age, when it seems the society and individuals should know better, it is beyond disappointing and sometimes it appears there's a sense of despair," she says.

Because of this, it's particularly meaningful, she notes, that KPop Demon Hunters could bring "optimism and happiness to various groups".

"Maybe that's why it became this movie of the summer, because there was a need for positivity and something to unite us all together."

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

Cho says she is aware that technology is already being used to replicate actors' voices, but wants to "have hope in humanity" that individuals will still pursue art created by humans.

"Certainly, I'm sure there will be AI actors and vocalists. I'm aware they're already here. I know our voices are already being manipulated, but I hope the public have appreciation and want and love for authentic creations."

KPop Demon Hunters has also been leading the international music rankings, with multiple songs from its score featured on the Billboard Hot 100. It has its own fan creations, and audiences globally are demanding a sequel.

Cho tells us she wishes she could answer the question of if a sequel is planned – but both she and fans will have to await the platform or the production company, which produced the movie, to approve the project.

"I'm aware rumors are circulating, I've heard wonderful things," she says. "Only time will tell, and I think everyone in the world would protest if there wasn't."

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