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"{I hated that I had Asian features, that I lacked light-colored eyes and fair 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, KPop Demon Hunters.

Cho, forty, 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 a hybrid being – and when Cho first read the script, 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 identity as an Asian-American, as a Korean-American, as a woman," she explains.

These were all aspects of her early life that paralleled the character's path.

"Truthfully, at different points in my life, I hated 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 enough people that shared my appearance."

When it launched on Netflix in the summer, the animated feature achieved millions of streams in just two weeks, and secured the top 10 of the Netflix charts in 93 countries. To star in the pioneering animation set in Korea, with Asian protagonists, was for Cho "a dream come true" – but it has also established her as a powerful role model for Asian-American children, the type that she lacked when in her youth.

Cho notes many individuals of Korean descent have expressed it's "a breath of fresh air", making them feel pride for the first instance of their dual heritage and culture.

"I feel like K-Pop really, truly, has paved the way. Korean cosmetics has had such a big impact on global appreciation for Korea. But I believe the film 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 the actress says she felt the production crew were "sometimes facing an uphill battle".

"It seems it's unfortunate to say this, but whenever there's an Asian-led project, it's perceived like it's a risk," she reveals.

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

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

As an Asian-American residing in America "it's deeply saddening," says Cho. "Newcomers have made America what it is."

Korean news sources have estimated that up to one hundred fifty thousand individuals from Korea without proper documentation, including those who were adopted, are among those who could be deported.

As an adult, she understood that the prejudice she had experienced when she was younger stemmed mainly from a knowledge gap, as many were unaware what it signified to be Korean or Asian.

"However today, in the modern era, when I feel like the world and people should know better, it's deeply disheartening and at times I feel like we feel so hopeless," she expresses.

Because of this, it's particularly meaningful, she notes, that the film could bring "hope and joy and love to all these different communities".

"Perhaps this explains it's sort of like the season's hit film, 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, raising the possibility that in future it could be used to produce a movie like KPop Demon Hunters.

Cho acknowledges she is aware that technology is already being used to copy performers' vocals, but wants to "maintain faith in people" that audiences will still pursue human-made creativity.

"Sure, I believe they're going to have AI actors and vocalists. I'm aware they're already here. I understand our voices are already being altered, but I trust people have some respect and desire for authentic creations."

The film has also been leading the global music charts, with seven tracks from its soundtrack featured on the Billboard Hot 100. It has its own fan art, and audiences around the world are calling for a sequel.

Cho reveals she would like to confirm the inquiry of if a sequel is planned – but both she and fans will have to wait for the platform or the production company, which made the film, to approve the project.

"I know rumors are circulating, I've heard wonderful things," she shares. "So we shall see, and I believe everyone in the world would riot if there wasn't."

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