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"{I hated that I had Asian features, that I didn't have light-colored eyes and fair hair, because those were the beauty standards back then," says Arden Cho, who voiced the lead character in Netflix's chart-topping movie, KPop Demon Hunters.

Cho, 40, is describing her childhood in Texas, as the firstborn child of Korean immigrant parents and her journey toward belonging in American society.

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 identity as a hybrid being – and when Cho first read the script, this struck a deep chord.

"Growing up in the US, identifying as American but having others view me like I'm not, grappling with my identity as an Korean-American, as a Asian-American, as a woman," she explains.

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

"Truthfully, at various stages in my existence, I despised 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 enough people that shared my appearance."

When it debuted on the platform in the summer, the animated feature achieved 33 million views in just 14 days, and reached the highest positions of the Netflix charts in dozens of nations. To be part of the pioneering animation with a Korean setting, with Korean leads, was for her "a dream come true" – but it has also established her as a inspiring figure for young Asian-Americans, the kind that was missing when she was young.

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

"In my view Korean pop music really, truly, has paved the way. K-beauty has had a significant influence on global appreciation for Korea. But I believe the film is the one that pushed it further, of, inspiring travel to Korea, now," she comments.

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

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

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

The movie was launched amid heightened enforcement actions in the US as part of mass deportation efforts, which sparked protests in numerous regions.

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

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

As an adult, Cho understood that the prejudice she had experienced when she was younger stemmed mainly from a lack of education, as people didn't know what it signified to be Korean or Asian.

"But now, in this day and age, when it seems the society and individuals should know better, it is beyond disappointing and at times it appears we feel so hopeless," she expresses.

Due to this, it's particularly meaningful, she says, that the film could bring "optimism and happiness to all these different communities".

"Perhaps this explains it became the season's hit film, because there was a need for positivity and a unifying element as one."

The growth of AI is a major concern for the film industry, creating the potential that in future it could be used to make a film like the animation.

Cho acknowledges she is conscious that technology is already being used to copy performers' vocals, but wants to "maintain faith in people" that individuals will still seek out art created by humans.

"Certainly, I'm sure they're going to have digital performers and singers. I know they're already here. I know our voices are already being manipulated, but I hope people have some respect and desire for authentic creations."

KPop Demon Hunters has also been leading the global music charts, with seven tracks from its score appearing in the prestigious charts. It has its own fan creations, and viewers globally are demanding a follow-up.

She reveals she wishes she could answer the inquiry of whether that will happen – but both everyone involved will have to await the platform or the studio, which produced the movie, to approve the project.

"I'm aware rumors are circulating, the feedback is positive," she says. "So we shall see, and I think fans everywhere would protest if there wasn't."

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