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"{I hated that I had Asian features, that I didn't have light-colored eyes and blonde hair, because those were the beauty standards back then," says Arden Cho, who portrayed Rumi in Netflix's highly successful animated film, KPop Demon Hunters.

Cho, 40, is describing her early years in Texas, as the eldest daughter of parents who emigrated from Korea and her journey toward belonging in the United States.

In the film, which tells the story of a girl group who must save the world from dark powers, Rumi has to come to terms with her identity as part human, part demon – and when Cho first saw the screenplay, this struck a deep chord.

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

These elements were aspects of her early life that paralleled the character's path.

"I can honestly say, at various stages in my life, I despised many parts of me and I wanted to be someone else.

"As kids, your surroundings shapes your development and I feel like I lacked exposure to sufficient individuals that shared my appearance."

When it launched on Netflix in the summer, KPop Demon Hunters achieved 33 million views in just 14 days, and reached the top 10 of the Netflix charts in dozens of nations. To star in the pioneering animation set in Korea, with Korean leads, was for Cho "an aspiration realized" – but it has also made her a inspiring figure for Asian-American children, the type that she lacked when in her youth.

She notes many Korean-Americans have told her it's "such a refreshing moment", making them feel pride for the first instance of their dual heritage and culture.

"In my view Korean pop music has genuinely broken barriers. Korean cosmetics 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," Cho says.

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

"It seems it kind of sucks to say this, but whenever there's an production with Asian leads, it's perceived like a gamble," she reveals.

So, when she accepted the part, she took steps to connect with the entire cast and crew in person, she adds.

The movie was released against the backdrop of increased immigration raids in the US as part of mass deportation efforts, which sparked protests in many states.

As an person of Asian descent residing in America "it's deeply saddening," says Cho. "Newcomers have shaped the nation."

Reports have estimated that up to one hundred fifty thousand Korean immigrants lacking legal status, including those who were adopted, are among those who could be deported.

As an adult, she understood that the prejudice she had encountered when in her youth was largely due to a knowledge gap, as many were unaware what it signified to be of Asian descent.

"However today, in the modern era, when it seems the world and people ought to be more informed, it is beyond disappointing and at times it appears we feel so hopeless," she expresses.

Because of this, it feels very special, she says, that the film could bring "optimism and happiness to various groups".

"Perhaps this explains it became the season's hit film, because we just needed some hope and something to unite us as one."

The growth of AI is a significant worry for the entertainment sector, raising the possibility that in future it could be used to produce a movie like KPop Demon Hunters.

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

"Certainly, I believe there will be AI actors and vocalists. I know they're already here. I understand performers' voices are already being manipulated, but I trust people have some respect and desire for something real."

KPop Demon Hunters has also been leading the international music rankings, with seven tracks from its soundtrack featured on the prestigious charts. It has its own fan creations, and audiences globally are demanding a sequel.

She reveals she wishes she could answer the question of whether that will happen – but both everyone involved will have to wait for the platform or the production company, which produced the movie, to approve the project.

"I know there's lots of murmurs, I've heard wonderful things," she shares. "So we shall see, and I think fans everywhere would protest if it didn't happen."

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