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

"{I hated that I had Asian features, that I lacked light-colored eyes and blonde hair, because that's what was beautiful at the time," reveals Arden Cho, who voiced the lead character in the streaming platform's highly successful animated film, the K-pop themed animation.

The performer, forty, recalls her early years in Texas, as the eldest daughter of Korean immigrant parents 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 dark powers, Rumi has to come to terms with her true nature as a hybrid being – and when she first saw the screenplay, this resonated powerfully.

"Being born in America, feeling American but having people treat me like I'm not, trying to figure out my identity as an Asian-American, as a Asian-American, as a female," she explains.

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

"Truthfully, 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 I feel like I just didn't see sufficient individuals that shared my appearance."

When it launched on Netflix in June, KPop Demon Hunters registered 33 million views in just two weeks, and reached the top 10 of the streaming rankings in dozens of nations. To star in the pioneering animation with a Korean setting, with Korean leads, was for Cho "a dream come true" – but it has also established her as a inspiring figure for young Asian-Americans, the kind that she lacked when in her youth.

She says many individuals of Korean descent have expressed it's "such a refreshing moment", making them feel pride for the first instance of their mixed background and culture.

"In my view K-Pop has genuinely broken barriers. Korean cosmetics has had a significant influence on Korea being loved. But I feel like the film is the one that pushed it further, of, everybody wants to go to Korea, currently," Cho says.

But the film's success was not guaranteed 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, people feel like it's a risk," she reveals.

So, when she took on the role, she made an effort to meet the entire cast and crew face-to-face, she says.

The film was launched against the backdrop of increased immigration raids in the US 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," she states. "Newcomers have shaped the nation."

Reports have suggested that up to 150,000 individuals from Korea lacking legal status, including adopted children, are among those who could be deported.

As an grown-up, she understood that the racism she had experienced when in her youth was largely due to a knowledge gap, as people didn't know what it meant to be of Asian descent.

"However today, in the modern era, when it seems the world and people ought to be more informed, it is beyond disappointing and at times it appears there's a sense of despair," she expresses.

Due to this, it's particularly meaningful, 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 some hope and something to unite us all together."

The growth of AI is a significant worry for the film industry, raising the possibility that in coming years it could be used to produce a movie like the animation.

The actress acknowledges she is aware that technology is already being used to replicate actors' voices, but wants to "maintain faith in people" that audiences will still seek out human-made creativity.

"Certainly, I believe they're going to have digital performers and singers. I'm aware they're already here. I know our voices are already being manipulated, but I trust the public have some respect and desire for authentic creations."

KPop Demon Hunters has also been leading the international music rankings, with multiple songs from its score appearing in the Billboard Hot 100. It has its own fan art, and audiences globally are demanding a follow-up.

Cho reveals she would like to confirm the question 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 give it the green light.

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

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