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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," says Arden Cho, who portrayed the lead character in the streaming platform's chart-topping movie, the K-pop themed animation.

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

In the film, which tells the story of a female K-Pop trio who must rescue humanity from evil forces, Rumi has to accept her true nature as a hybrid being – and when she first saw the screenplay, this struck a deep chord.

"Being born in America, feeling American but having others view me like a foreigner, trying to figure out my identity as an Asian-American, as a Asian-American, as a woman," she says.

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

"Truthfully, at various stages in my existence, I despised many parts of me and I longed to become a different person.

"During childhood, your surroundings shapes your development and I feel like I lacked exposure to sufficient individuals that look like me."

When it debuted on the platform in the summer, the animated feature achieved 33 million views in just two weeks, and reached the top 10 of the Netflix charts in dozens of nations. To be part of the pioneering animation with a Korean setting, with Korean leads, was for her "an aspiration realized" – but it has also established her as a inspiring figure for Asian-American children, the type that was missing when she was young.

Cho notes many individuals of Korean descent have expressed it's "such a refreshing moment", making them proud for the first instance of their mixed background and culture.

"I feel like K-Pop has genuinely broken barriers. K-beauty has had a significant influence on global appreciation for Korea. But I believe this movie is the one that pushed it further, of, everybody wants to go to Korea, currently," she comments.

But the movie's triumph was not guaranteed and Cho admits she felt the production crew were "occasionally struggling against odds".

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

So, when she accepted the part, she made an effort to connect with everyone working on the film face-to-face, she says.

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

As an Asian-American living in the US "it's heartbreaking and disappointing," says Cho. "Newcomers have made America what it is."

Korean news sources have suggested that up to one hundred fifty thousand Korean immigrants without proper documentation, 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 of Asian descent.

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

Due to this, it's particularly meaningful, she notes, that KPop Demon Hunters could bring "optimism and happiness to all these different communities".

"Maybe that's why it became this movie of the summer, because there was a need for some hope and something to unite us as one."

The growth of AI is a major concern for the film industry, creating the potential that in future it could be used to produce a film like KPop Demon Hunters.

The actress says she is aware that AI is already being used to replicate performers' vocals, but aims to "maintain faith in people" that audiences will still seek out human-made creativity.

"Certainly, I believe they're going to have AI actors and singers. I know they already exist. I know performers' voices are already being manipulated, but I hope the public have some respect and desire for authentic creations."

The film has also been dominating the global music charts, with multiple songs from its soundtrack featured on the Billboard Hot 100. It has its own fan art, and viewers globally are calling for a follow-up.

Cho tells us she would like to confirm the inquiry of if a sequel is planned – but both everyone involved will have to wait for the streaming service or the studio, which made the film, to give it the green light.

"I know rumors are circulating, I've heard wonderful things," she shares. "So we shall see, and I think fans everywhere would riot if there wasn't."

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