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"{I disliked that I had Asian features, that I didn't have light-colored eyes and blonde hair, because those were the beauty standards at the time," says Arden Cho, who portrayed the lead character in Netflix's chart-topping animated film, the K-pop themed animation.

The performer, forty, recalls her childhood in Texas, as the firstborn child of Korean immigrant parents and her struggle for acceptance in the United States.

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 true nature as part human, part demon – and when she first read the script, this resonated powerfully.

"Growing up in the US, feeling American but having others view me like I'm not, grappling with my sense of self as an Asian-American, as a Korean-American, as a female," she says.

These elements were components of her formative years that paralleled the character's path.

"Truthfully, at different points in my existence, I hated many parts of me and I longed to become someone else.

"During childhood, your surroundings influences who you become and I feel like I just didn't see enough people that shared my appearance."

When it debuted on the platform in the summer, the animated feature registered millions of streams in just two weeks, and secured the top 10 of the Netflix charts in dozens of nations. To star in the first Hollywood animated film set in Korea, with Asian protagonists, was for Cho "a dream come true" – but it has also established her as a inspiring figure for young Asian-Americans, the kind that was missing when in her youth.

She says 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 cultural roots.

"In my view K-Pop really, truly, has paved the way. Korean cosmetics has had such a big impact on global appreciation for Korea. But I believe the film is the one that tipped it over the edge, of, inspiring travel to Korea, currently," she comments.

But the film's success was uncertain and the actress admits she felt the team making it were "sometimes facing an uphill battle".

"It seems it kind of sucks to say this, but whenever there's an Asian-led project, it's perceived like it's a risk," she says.

So, when she accepted the part, she took steps to meet everyone working on the film face-to-face, she adds.

The movie was released amid increased immigration raids in the United States as part of extensive removal policies, which sparked protests in many states.

As an Asian-American living in the US "it's heartbreaking and disappointing," says Cho. "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 adult, she came to realise that the racism she had encountered when she was younger stemmed mainly from a lack of education, as people didn't know what it meant to be Korean or Asian.

"However today, in the modern era, when I feel like the world and people should know better, it is beyond disappointing and sometimes I feel like we feel so hopeless," she expresses.

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

"Perhaps this explains it's sort of like this movie of the summer, because there was a need for positivity and a unifying element as one."

The growth of AI is a major concern for the entertainment sector, creating the potential that in coming years it could be used to make a film like KPop Demon Hunters.

Cho acknowledges she is aware that technology is already being used to replicate actors' voices, but aims to "maintain faith in people" that individuals will still pursue art created by humans.

"Sure, I'm sure there will be digital performers and vocalists. I know they're already here. I know our voices are already being altered, but I trust people have appreciation and desire for authentic creations."

KPop Demon Hunters has also been dominating the international music rankings, with multiple songs from its soundtrack appearing in the prestigious charts. It has its own fan art, and audiences globally are demanding a sequel.

Cho tells us she would like to confirm the question of if a sequel is planned – but both she and fans will have to await the streaming service or the production company, which produced the movie, to give it the green light.

"I know rumors are circulating, the feedback is positive," she says. "So we shall see, and I think everyone in the world would protest if it didn't happen."

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