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"{I disliked that I looked Asian, that I lacked light-colored eyes and fair hair, because that's what was beautiful back then," says Arden Cho, who voiced the lead character in Netflix's chart-topping animated film, the K-pop themed animation.

The performer, forty, is describing her childhood in Texas, as the firstborn child of parents who emigrated from Korea and her struggle for acceptance in American society.

In the film, which narrates the tale of a female K-Pop trio who must rescue humanity from dark powers, Rumi has to come to terms with her identity as a hybrid being – 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 sense of self as an Asian-American, as a Korean-American, as a woman," she says.

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

"Truthfully, at various stages in my existence, I hated a lot of myself and I longed to become a different person.

"As kids, your surroundings shapes your development and I feel like I lacked exposure to enough people that look like me."

When it launched on Netflix in June, KPop Demon Hunters registered millions of streams in just 14 days, and secured the highest positions of the streaming rankings in 93 countries. To be part of the pioneering animation 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 she lacked when in her youth.

Cho notes many Korean-Americans have told her it's "a breath of fresh air", making them feel pride for the first instance of their dual heritage and cultural roots.

"I feel like K-Pop really, truly, has paved the way. Korean cosmetics has had a significant influence on global appreciation for Korea. But I feel like the film is the one that pushed it further, of, inspiring travel to Korea, now," she comments.

But the film's success was uncertain and the actress says she felt the production crew 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 a gamble," she reveals.

So, when she accepted the part, she took steps to meet everyone working on the film in person, she says.

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

As an person of Asian descent residing in America "it's heartbreaking and disappointing," says Cho. "Immigrants 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 deported.

As an adult, she understood that the prejudice she had encountered when in her youth was largely due to a lack of education, as many were unaware what it signified to be Korean or Asian.

"However today, in the modern era, when I feel like the society and people ought to be more informed, it's deeply disheartening and sometimes it appears there's a sense of despair," she expresses.

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

"Perhaps this explains it became the season's hit film, because we just needed positivity and something to unite us as one."

The growth of AI is a significant worry for the film industry, raising the possibility that in coming years it could be used to make a movie like KPop Demon Hunters.

The actress says she is conscious that technology is already being used to replicate actors' voices, but wants to "maintain faith in people" that audiences will still pursue human-made creativity.

"Certainly, I believe there will be AI actors and singers. I know they're already here. I know our voices are already being manipulated, but I trust the public have some respect and want and love for something real."

KPop Demon Hunters has also been dominating the international music rankings, with multiple songs from its score featured on the prestigious charts. It has its own fan creations, and audiences globally are demanding a follow-up.

Cho tells us she wishes she could answer the question of if a sequel is planned – but both she and fans will have to wait for the platform or the studio, which made the film, to approve the project.

"I'm aware rumors are circulating, I've heard wonderful things," she shares. "Only time will tell, and I believe everyone in the world would riot if it didn't happen."

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