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"{I disliked that I had Asian features, that I didn't have blue eyes and fair hair, because those were the beauty standards at the time," says Arden Cho, who portrayed the lead character in the streaming platform's chart-topping animated film, KPop Demon Hunters.

Cho, forty, recalls her early years in the southern state, as the eldest daughter of Korean immigrant parents and her struggle for acceptance in American society.

In the film, which narrates the tale of a girl group who must rescue humanity from dark powers, the protagonist has to come to terms with her true nature as part human, part demon – and when Cho first saw the screenplay, this struck a deep chord.

"Growing up in the US, identifying as American but having people treat me like I'm not, trying to figure out my identity as an Korean-American, as a Korean-American, as a woman," she says.

These elements were components of her early life that paralleled Rumi's journey.

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

"As kids, your surroundings influences who you become and I feel like I just didn't see enough people that shared my appearance."

When it debuted on the platform in the summer, KPop Demon Hunters achieved 33 million views in just 14 days, and secured the top 10 of the streaming rankings in dozens of nations. To star in the first Hollywood animated film with a Korean setting, with Asian protagonists, was for her "a dream come true" – but it has also established her as a powerful role model for Asian-American children, the kind that was missing when she was young.

Cho notes many Korean-Americans have told her it's "such a refreshing moment", making them feel pride for the first instance of their mixed background and cultural roots.

"In my view K-Pop really, truly, has paved the way. K-beauty has had such a big impact on Korea being loved. But I feel like the film 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 Cho admits she felt the production crew were "sometimes facing an uphill battle".

"I feel like it's unfortunate to say this, but any time there's an Asian-led project, it's perceived like a gamble," she reveals.

So, when she took on the role, she made an effort to connect with everyone working on the film face-to-face, she says.

The movie was launched against the backdrop of heightened enforcement actions in the United States as part of extensive removal policies, which sparked protests in many states.

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

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

As an adult, Cho understood that the prejudice she had experienced when she was younger was largely due to 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 society and people should know better, it is beyond disappointing and sometimes it appears there's a sense of despair," she says.

Due to this, it's particularly meaningful, she says, that the film could bring "optimism and happiness to various groups".

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

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

Cho acknowledges she is aware that technology is already being used to copy actors' voices, but aims to "maintain faith in people" that individuals will still pursue art created by humans.

"Sure, I believe there will be AI actors and singers. I know they're already here. I understand performers' voices are already being altered, but I hope people have some respect and desire for authentic creations."

KPop Demon Hunters has also been leading the global music charts, with multiple songs from its soundtrack featured on the Billboard Hot 100. It has its own fan art, and audiences globally are calling for a sequel.

Cho reveals she would like to confirm the inquiry of if a sequel is planned – but both everyone involved will have to await the platform or the production company, which produced the movie, to give it the green light.

"I'm aware there's lots of murmurs, I've heard wonderful things," she says. "So we shall see, and I believe fans everywhere would riot if it didn't happen."

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