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

The performer, 40, recalls her childhood in the southern state, as the eldest daughter of Korean immigrant parents and her struggle for acceptance in the United States.

In the movie, which narrates the tale of a female K-Pop trio who must rescue humanity from dark powers, the protagonist has to accept her true nature as part human, part demon – and when Cho first saw the screenplay, this resonated powerfully.

"Being born in America, identifying as American but having others view me like I'm not, grappling with my identity as an Asian-American, as a Asian-American, as a female," she says.

These elements were 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 wanted to be someone else.

"During childhood, your surroundings shapes your development and I feel like I just didn't see sufficient individuals that look like me."

When it debuted on the platform in the summer, KPop Demon Hunters registered millions of streams in just 14 days, and secured the highest positions of the streaming rankings in dozens of nations. To be part of the pioneering animation with a Korean setting, with Asian protagonists, was for her "an aspiration realized" – but it has also made her a inspiring figure for young Asian-Americans, the kind that was missing when in her youth.

Cho says many individuals of Korean descent have expressed it's "such a refreshing moment", making them feel pride for the first time of their dual heritage and culture.

"I feel like Korean pop music really, truly, has paved the way. K-beauty has had a significant influence 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 film's success was not guaranteed and Cho 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, it's perceived like a gamble," she reveals.

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

The film was released amid heightened enforcement actions in the United States as part of mass deportation efforts, which triggered demonstrations in many states.

As an Asian-American residing in America "it's heartbreaking and disappointing," says Cho. "Immigrants have shaped the nation."

Korean news sources have suggested that up to one hundred fifty thousand individuals from Korea without proper documentation, including adopted children, are among those who could be deported.

As an adult, Cho came to realise that the racism she had experienced when in her youth stemmed mainly from a knowledge gap, as people didn't know what it meant to be of Asian descent.

"But now, in this day and age, when I feel like the world and individuals should know better, it's deeply disheartening and sometimes it appears we feel so hopeless," she expresses.

Due to this, it feels very special, she says, that the film could bring "hope and joy and love to all these different communities".

"Maybe that's why it's sort of like the season's hit film, because we just needed 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 make a film like the animation.

Cho says she is conscious that technology is already being used to copy actors' voices, but aims to "have hope in humanity" that audiences will still seek out human-made creativity.

"Certainly, I'm sure there will be digital performers and vocalists. I'm aware they already exist. I know our voices are already being manipulated, but I hope people have some respect and want and love 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 audiences around the world are demanding a follow-up.

She reveals she would like to confirm the inquiry of whether that will happen – but both everyone involved will have to wait for the streaming service or the studio, which produced the movie, to approve the project.

"I'm aware rumors are circulating, the feedback is positive," she says. "Only time will tell, and I think everyone in the world would protest if it didn't happen."

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