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"{I disliked that I had Asian features, that I lacked light-colored eyes and blonde hair, because that's what was beautiful back then," says Arden Cho, who portrayed the lead character in Netflix's chart-topping movie, KPop Demon Hunters.

Cho, 40, is describing her early years in Texas, as the firstborn child of parents who emigrated from Korea and her struggle for acceptance in the United States.

In the film, which tells the story of a female K-Pop trio who must save the world from dark powers, Rumi has to come to terms with her identity as a hybrid being – and when she first saw the screenplay, this resonated powerfully.

"Growing up in the US, feeling American but having others view me like a foreigner, grappling with my sense of self as an Korean-American, as a Korean-American, as a female," she says.

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

"Truthfully, at various stages in my existence, I despised many parts of me and I wanted to be someone else.

"During childhood, what you see influences your development and it seems I just didn't see enough people that look like me."

When it debuted on the platform in June, KPop Demon Hunters registered millions of streams in just 14 days, and reached the highest positions of the streaming rankings in 93 countries. To star in the pioneering animation set in Korea, with Asian protagonists, was for her "a dream come true" – but it has also established her as a powerful role model for young Asian-Americans, the type that was missing when in her youth.

Cho notes 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 really, truly, has paved the way. K-beauty has had a significant influence on Korea being loved. But I believe the film is the one that tipped it over the edge, of, inspiring travel to Korea, currently," she comments.

But the film's success was not guaranteed and the actress admits she felt the team making it were "occasionally struggling against odds".

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

So, when she took on the role, she made an effort to meet everyone working on the film in person, she adds.

The movie was launched against the backdrop of heightened enforcement actions in the US as part of extensive removal policies, which triggered demonstrations in numerous regions.

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

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

As an grown-up, Cho understood that the prejudice she had experienced when in her youth was largely due to a knowledge gap, as many were unaware what it signified to be Korean or Asian.

"But now, in this day and age, when I feel like the society and people ought to be more informed, it is beyond disappointing and at times I feel like we feel so hopeless," she expresses.

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

"Perhaps this explains it became the season's hit film, 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.

Cho acknowledges she is conscious that technology is already being used to replicate performers' vocals, but aims to "have hope in humanity" that individuals will still pursue art created by humans.

"Sure, I'm sure they're going to have AI actors and vocalists. I know they're already here. I know performers' voices are already being manipulated, but I hope the public have some respect and desire for authentic creations."

KPop Demon Hunters has also been dominating the international music rankings, with seven tracks from its soundtrack appearing in the Billboard Hot 100. It has its own fan art, and audiences around the world are calling for a follow-up.

She tells us she would like to confirm the inquiry of if a sequel is planned – but both everyone involved will have to wait for the platform or the studio, which produced the movie, to give it the green light.

"I'm aware rumors are circulating, the feedback is positive," she shares. "So we shall see, and I think everyone in the world would protest if there wasn't."

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