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"{I hated that I had Asian features, that I didn't have light-colored eyes and blonde hair, because those were the beauty standards back then," reveals Arden Cho, who voiced Rumi in Netflix's chart-topping movie, the K-pop themed animation.

The performer, forty, recalls her early years in Texas, as the eldest daughter of parents who emigrated from Korea and her journey toward belonging in the United States.

In the film, which tells the story of a girl group who must save the world from evil forces, the protagonist has to come to terms with her true nature as part human, part demon – and when she first saw the screenplay, this struck a deep chord.

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

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

"I can honestly say, at various stages in my life, I despised many parts of me and I longed to become a different person.

"As kids, what you see shapes who you become and I feel like I lacked exposure to sufficient individuals that shared my appearance."

When it launched on Netflix in the summer, KPop Demon Hunters achieved 33 million views in just two weeks, and reached the highest positions of the Netflix charts in dozens of nations. To be part of the pioneering animation with a Korean setting, with Asian protagonists, was for Cho "an aspiration realized" – but it has also made her a inspiring figure for young Asian-Americans, the type that was missing when she was young.

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 mixed background and culture.

"I feel like K-Pop really, truly, has paved the way. K-beauty has had such a big impact on Korea being loved. But I believe this movie is the one that tipped it over the edge, of, inspiring travel to Korea, currently," Cho says.

But the movie's triumph was uncertain and the actress admits she felt the production crew were "sometimes facing an uphill battle".

"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 took on the role, she made an effort to connect with everyone working on the film in person, she says.

The film was launched against the backdrop of increased immigration raids in the United States as part of extensive removal policies, which triggered demonstrations in numerous regions.

As an person of Asian descent residing in America "it's deeply saddening," 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 deported.

As an adult, she understood that the racism she had encountered when in her youth stemmed mainly from a knowledge gap, as many were unaware what it signified to be of Asian descent.

"However today, in the modern era, when I feel like the world and individuals ought to be more informed, it is beyond disappointing and sometimes I feel like there's a sense of despair," she expresses.

Due to 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 became this movie of the summer, because there was a need for positivity and a unifying element all together."

The advancement of artificial intelligence is a major concern for the entertainment sector, creating the potential that in coming years it could be used to make a film like the animation.

The actress acknowledges she is aware that technology is already being used to copy actors' voices, but aims to "have hope in humanity" that audiences will still pursue human-made creativity.

"Certainly, I believe they're going to have digital performers and singers. I'm aware they already exist. I understand performers' voices are already being manipulated, but I hope the public have appreciation and desire for authentic creations."

The film has also been leading the global music charts, with seven tracks from its soundtrack featured on the prestigious charts. It has its own fan art, and viewers around the world are calling for a follow-up.

Cho tells us she would like to confirm the question of whether that will happen – but both she and fans will have to wait for the platform or the studio, which made the film, to give it the green light.

"I'm aware rumors are circulating, the feedback is positive," she shares. "Only time will tell, and I think fans everywhere would protest if there wasn't."

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