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This exclusive piece explores extraordinary interviews and narratives from around the globe.

"{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, recalls her childhood in the southern state, as the eldest daughter of parents who emigrated from Korea and her struggle for acceptance in the United States.

In the film, which narrates the tale of a girl group who must save the world from evil forces, Rumi has to accept her true nature as a hybrid being – and when Cho first saw the screenplay, this resonated powerfully.

"Growing up in the US, identifying as 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 female," she says.

These elements were aspects of her early life that mirrored the character's path.

"I can honestly say, at different points in my existence, I hated a lot of myself and I longed to become someone else.

"During childhood, your surroundings influences your development and it seems I lacked exposure to sufficient individuals that look like me."

When it launched on Netflix in the summer, the animated feature registered 33 million views in just two weeks, and secured the top 10 of the streaming rankings in 93 countries. 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 made her a powerful role model for young Asian-Americans, the kind that she lacked when in her youth.

She notes many Korean-Americans have told her it's "such a refreshing moment", making them proud for the first instance of their dual heritage and cultural roots.

"I feel like Korean pop music has genuinely broken barriers. Korean cosmetics 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, now," she comments.

But the film's success was uncertain and the actress admits she felt the production crew were "occasionally struggling against odds".

"It seems it's unfortunate to mention this, but any time there's an production with Asian leads, people feel like it's a risk," she says.

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

The film was released amid heightened enforcement actions in the United States as part of mass deportation efforts, which sparked protests in many states.

As an Asian-American living in the US "it's heartbreaking and disappointing," she states. "Immigrants have made America what it is."

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

As an adult, Cho came to realise that the prejudice she had encountered when she was younger was largely due to a knowledge gap, as many were unaware what it meant to be Korean or Asian.

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

Due to this, it feels very special, she notes, that KPop Demon Hunters could bring "optimism and happiness to various groups".

"Maybe that's why it's sort of like this movie of the summer, because there was a need for positivity and something to unite us all together."

The advancement of artificial intelligence is a significant worry for the film industry, raising the possibility that in coming years it could be used to produce a film like KPop Demon Hunters.

The actress acknowledges she is conscious that technology is already being used to copy performers' vocals, but wants to "maintain faith in people" that individuals will still seek out human-made creativity.

"Sure, I'm sure there will be digital performers and vocalists. I know they're already here. I understand our voices are already being manipulated, but I hope people have appreciation and desire for something real."

The film has also been leading the international music rankings, with seven tracks from its soundtrack featured on the Billboard Hot 100. It has its own fan creations, and viewers globally are calling for a sequel.

Cho reveals she would like to confirm the inquiry of whether that will happen – but both everyone involved will have to wait for the platform or the studio, which made the film, to give it the green light.

"I'm aware there's lots of murmurs, the feedback is positive," she says. "So we shall see, and I believe everyone in the world would riot if it didn't happen."

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