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"{I hated that I had Asian features, that I lacked light-colored eyes and blonde hair, because that's what was beautiful back then," reveals Arden Cho, who voiced the lead character in the streaming platform's chart-topping movie, KPop Demon Hunters.

The performer, 40, recalls her childhood in Texas, as the firstborn child of parents who emigrated from Korea and her journey toward belonging in American society.

In the film, which tells the story of a girl group who must save the world from dark powers, Rumi has to come to terms with her identity as a hybrid being – and when Cho first read the script, this resonated powerfully.

"Being born in America, identifying as American but having people treat me like I'm not, grappling with my sense of self as an Korean-American, as a Asian-American, as a female," she explains.

These were all components of her early life that mirrored Rumi's journey.

"Truthfully, at different points in my life, I despised a lot of myself and I longed to become someone else.

"During childhood, what you see shapes who you become and it seems I lacked exposure to enough people that shared my appearance."

When it debuted on the platform in June, the animated feature achieved 33 million views in just 14 days, and secured the top 10 of the streaming rankings in dozens of nations. To star in the first Hollywood animated film with a Korean setting, 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 kind that she lacked when in her youth.

She notes many individuals of Korean descent have told her it's "a breath of fresh air", making them feel pride for the first time 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 the film 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 the actress admits she felt the production crew 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 took steps to connect with everyone working on the film face-to-face, she says.

The movie was released amid increased immigration raids in the United States as part of mass deportation efforts, which sparked protests in numerous regions.

As an Asian-American residing in America "it's heartbreaking and disappointing," says Cho. "Immigrants have shaped the nation."

Reports have estimated 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, she understood that the racism she had encountered when she was younger stemmed mainly from a lack of education, as many were unaware what it meant to be of Asian descent.

"But now, in this day and age, when I feel like the world and individuals ought to be more informed, it is beyond disappointing and at times I feel like there's a sense of despair," she says.

Because of this, it feels very special, she notes, that KPop Demon Hunters could bring "optimism and happiness to all these different communities".

"Maybe that's why it's sort of like the season's hit film, 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 future it could be used to make a movie like KPop Demon Hunters.

Cho says she is conscious that technology is already being used to replicate performers' vocals, but wants to "maintain faith in people" that audiences will still pursue art created by humans.

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

KPop Demon Hunters has also been leading the global music charts, with multiple songs from its soundtrack appearing in the Billboard Hot 100. It has its own fan creations, and viewers globally are demanding a sequel.

Cho reveals she would like to confirm the question of if a sequel is planned – but both everyone involved will have to wait for the streaming service or the studio, which produced the movie, to give it the green light.

"I'm aware there's lots of murmurs, the feedback is positive," she says. "Only time will tell, and I think everyone in the world would riot if it didn't happen."

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