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This exclusive piece explores extraordinary interviews and narratives from worldwide.

"{I disliked that I looked Asian, that I didn't have blue eyes and blonde hair, because that's what was beautiful at the time," reveals Arden Cho, who portrayed Rumi in the streaming platform's highly successful animated film, KPop Demon Hunters.

The performer, 40, is describing her childhood in Texas, as the eldest daughter of parents who emigrated from Korea and her struggle for acceptance in American society.

In the film, which tells the story of a girl group who must save the world from evil forces, Rumi has to accept her identity as part human, part demon – and when Cho 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, grappling with my sense of self as an Korean-American, as a Asian-American, as a woman," she explains.

These elements were aspects of her formative years that mirrored the character's path.

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

"As kids, your surroundings shapes your development and it seems I just didn't see sufficient individuals that look like me."

When it launched on Netflix in June, KPop Demon Hunters achieved 33 million views in just two weeks, and secured the highest positions of the Netflix charts in dozens of nations. To star in the pioneering animation set in Korea, with Korean leads, was for Cho "a dream come true" – but it has also made her a powerful role model for Asian-American children, the type that was missing when in her youth.

Cho says 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 Korean pop music has genuinely broken barriers. K-beauty has had such a big impact on global appreciation for Korea. But I believe the film is the one that pushed it further, of, inspiring travel to Korea, currently," she comments.

But the movie's triumph was uncertain and the actress admits she felt the team making it were "occasionally struggling against odds".

"It seems it kind of sucks to mention this, but any time there's an production with Asian leads, it's perceived like it's a risk," she says.

So, when she accepted the part, she took steps to connect with everyone working on the film in person, 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 many states.

As an person of Asian descent living in the US "it's heartbreaking and disappointing," says Cho. "Immigrants have made America what it is."

Reports have suggested that up to one hundred fifty thousand Korean immigrants lacking legal status, including those who were adopted, are among those who could be deported.

As an grown-up, Cho came to realise that the racism she had experienced when in her youth was largely due to a lack of education, as many were unaware what it meant to be Korean or Asian.

"However today, in the modern era, when it seems the world and individuals should know better, it's deeply disheartening and at times I feel like there's a sense of despair," she says.

Due to this, it feels very special, she says, that KPop Demon Hunters could bring "hope and joy and love to various groups".

"Maybe that's why it's sort of like the season's hit film, because there was a need for some hope and something to unite us all together."

The growth of AI is a significant worry for the entertainment sector, creating the potential that in coming years it could be used to make a film like the animation.

The actress says she is aware that AI is already being used to replicate actors' voices, but aims to "have hope in humanity" that individuals will still pursue human-made creativity.

"Certainly, I believe there will be digital performers and singers. I know they're already here. I know performers' voices are already being manipulated, but I hope the public have some respect and desire for something real."

The film has also been leading the international music rankings, with seven tracks from its score featured on the Billboard Hot 100. It has its own fan creations, and viewers around the world are calling for a follow-up.

Cho tells us she wishes she could answer the inquiry 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 there's lots of murmurs, the feedback is positive," she says. "Only time will tell, and I think fans everywhere would riot if it didn't happen."

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