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"{I hated that I looked Asian, that I didn't have blue eyes and blonde hair, because those were the beauty standards at the time," says Arden Cho, who voiced Rumi in Netflix's highly successful movie, KPop Demon Hunters.

Cho, 40, recalls her early years in Texas, as the firstborn child of parents who emigrated from Korea and her journey toward belonging in American society.

In the movie, 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 she first read the script, this resonated powerfully.

"Growing up in the US, identifying as American but having others view me like a foreigner, trying to figure out my sense of self as an Asian-American, as a Korean-American, as a woman," she says.

These were all aspects of her formative years that paralleled 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.

"During childhood, your surroundings shapes who you become and it seems I lacked exposure to enough people that shared my appearance."

When it debuted on the platform in the summer, the animated feature registered 33 million views in just two weeks, and secured the top 10 of the Netflix charts in 93 countries. To be part of the pioneering animation with a Korean setting, with Korean leads, was for her "an aspiration realized" – 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 individuals of Korean descent have expressed it's "such a refreshing moment", making them proud for the first instance of their mixed background and cultural roots.

"In my view K-Pop has genuinely broken barriers. Korean cosmetics has had such a big impact on global appreciation for Korea. But I believe this movie is the one that tipped it over the edge, of, inspiring travel to Korea, now," Cho says.

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

"I feel like it's unfortunate to mention this, but any time there's an Asian-led project, people feel like it's a risk," she says.

So, when she took on the role, she made an effort to meet the entire cast and crew in person, she adds.

The movie was launched against the backdrop of increased immigration raids in the US as part of extensive removal policies, which sparked protests in many states.

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

Korean news sources have estimated that up to 150,000 Korean immigrants without proper documentation, including those who were adopted, are among those who could be deported.

As an adult, she understood that the racism she had experienced when in her youth stemmed mainly from a lack of education, as many were unaware what it meant to be Korean or Asian.

"But now, in the modern era, when it seems the world and individuals ought to be more informed, it is beyond disappointing and sometimes it appears we feel so hopeless," she expresses.

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

"Perhaps this explains it became 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 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 performers' vocals, but aims to "have hope in humanity" that audiences will still seek out human-made creativity.

"Certainly, I believe there will be AI actors and vocalists. I know they already exist. I know our voices are already being altered, but I hope people have appreciation and desire for authentic creations."

The film has also been dominating the global music charts, with multiple songs from its soundtrack appearing in the Billboard Hot 100. It has its own fan art, and viewers globally are demanding a sequel.

Cho reveals she wishes she could answer the inquiry of whether that will happen – but both everyone involved will have to await the platform or the production company, which produced the movie, to approve the project.

"I'm aware there's lots of murmurs, I've heard wonderful things," she shares. "Only time will tell, and I think everyone in the world would protest if there wasn't."

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