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

"{I disliked that I looked Asian, that I didn't have blue eyes and fair hair, because those were the beauty standards 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, 40, is describing her early years in Texas, as the eldest daughter of parents who emigrated from Korea and her journey toward belonging in American society.

In the movie, which narrates the tale of a girl group who must save the world from dark powers, Rumi has to accept her identity as part human, part demon – and when she 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 Asian-American, as a Asian-American, as a woman," she says.

These were all components of her formative years that mirrored the character's path.

"I can honestly say, at various stages in my life, I hated many parts of me and I longed to become a different person.

"During childhood, your surroundings shapes who you become and it seems I just didn't see enough people that look like me."

When it launched on Netflix in the summer, KPop Demon Hunters registered millions of streams in just 14 days, and secured the highest positions of the Netflix charts in 93 countries. To star in the first Hollywood animated film set in Korea, with Korean leads, was for Cho "an aspiration realized" – but it has also established her as a powerful role model for Asian-American children, the type that was missing when she was young.

She says many Korean-Americans have expressed it's "a breath of fresh air", making them feel pride for the first time of their mixed background and culture.

"I feel like Korean pop music has genuinely broken barriers. K-beauty has had a significant influence on global appreciation for Korea. But I believe this movie is the one that pushed it further, of, everybody wants to go to Korea, now," Cho says.

But the film's success was uncertain and Cho admits she felt the team making it were "occasionally struggling against odds".

"I feel like it kind of sucks to mention this, but whenever there's an production with Asian leads, it's perceived like it's a risk," she says.

So, when she took on the role, she took steps to meet the entire cast and crew face-to-face, she adds.

The movie was launched against the backdrop of increased immigration raids in the United States as part of mass deportation efforts, which triggered demonstrations in many states.

As an person of Asian descent living in the US "it's deeply saddening," says Cho. "Immigrants have made America what it is."

Korean news sources have estimated that up to 150,000 individuals from Korea lacking legal status, including those who were adopted, are among those who could be deported.

As an adult, Cho 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 signified to be of Asian descent.

"But now, in this day and age, when it seems the society and individuals ought to be more informed, it is beyond disappointing and at times 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 all these different communities".

"Maybe that's why 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 entertainment sector, creating the potential that in future it could be used to make a film like the animation.

The actress says she is conscious that technology is already being used to replicate actors' voices, but aims to "maintain faith in people" that individuals will still pursue human-made creativity.

"Sure, I'm sure there will be digital performers and singers. I know they're already here. I understand performers' voices are already being altered, but I hope the public have some respect and desire for something real."

KPop Demon Hunters has also been dominating the international music rankings, with multiple songs from its score appearing in the prestigious charts. It has its own fan creations, and audiences around the world are demanding a sequel.

Cho tells us she wishes she could answer the inquiry of whether that will happen – but both everyone involved will have to wait for the streaming service 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 says. "Only time will tell, and I believe everyone in the world would protest if it didn't happen."

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