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This exclusive piece explores extraordinary interviews and stories from worldwide.

"{I hated that I looked Asian, that I lacked light-colored eyes and blonde hair, because those were the beauty standards at the time," reveals Arden Cho, who voiced Rumi in Netflix's chart-topping animated film, the K-pop themed animation.

Cho, 40, recalls her early years in Texas, as the firstborn child of Korean immigrant parents and her journey toward belonging in American society.

In the film, which narrates the tale of a female K-Pop trio who must save the world from dark powers, the protagonist has to come to terms with her identity as part human, part demon – and when she first read the script, this struck a deep chord.

"Being born in America, identifying as American but having people treat me like a foreigner, grappling with my identity as an Korean-American, as a Korean-American, as a female," she says.

These elements were components of her early life that mirrored the character's path.

"Truthfully, at different points in my existence, I despised many parts of me and I wanted to be a different person.

"As kids, what you see influences who you become and it seems I just didn't see sufficient individuals that look like me."

When it debuted on the platform in June, KPop Demon Hunters achieved millions of streams in just two weeks, and secured the top 10 of the streaming rankings in 93 countries. To be part of the pioneering animation with a Korean setting, with Korean leads, was for Cho "a dream come true" – but it has also made her a inspiring figure for young Asian-Americans, the type that she lacked when she was young.

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

"In my view Korean pop music has genuinely broken barriers. Korean cosmetics has had such a big impact on global appreciation for Korea. But I feel like the film is the one that pushed it further, of, inspiring travel to Korea, now," Cho says.

But the film's success was uncertain and Cho says she felt the production crew were "occasionally struggling against odds".

"I feel like it kind of sucks to say this, but any time there's an production with Asian leads, people feel 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 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 deeply saddening," she states. "Immigrants have made America what it is."

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

As an grown-up, Cho came to realise that the prejudice she had encountered when she was younger stemmed mainly from a lack of education, as many were unaware what it signified to be of Asian descent.

"But now, in the modern era, when it seems the society and people should know better, it's deeply disheartening and sometimes I feel like we feel so hopeless," she says.

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

"Perhaps this explains it's sort of like this movie of the summer, because there was a need for some hope and something to unite us as one."

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 KPop Demon Hunters.

The actress acknowledges she is conscious that AI is already being used to replicate actors' voices, but wants to "have hope in humanity" that audiences will still pursue human-made creativity.

"Sure, I'm sure there will be AI actors and singers. I know they already exist. I know performers' voices are already being manipulated, but I trust the public 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 score featured on the prestigious charts. It has its own fan creations, and audiences globally are demanding a follow-up.

Cho 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 streaming service or the production company, which produced the movie, to approve the project.

"I know there's lots of murmurs, the feedback is positive," she shares. "So we shall see, and I think fans everywhere would protest if it didn't happen."

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