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"{I disliked that I had Asian features, that I didn't have blue eyes and fair hair, because those were the beauty standards back then," says Arden Cho, who portrayed Rumi in the streaming platform's highly successful movie, the K-pop themed animation.

Cho, 40, recalls her early years in Texas, as the eldest daughter of Korean immigrant parents and her struggle for acceptance in American society.

In the movie, which tells the story of a female K-Pop trio who must save the world from evil forces, the protagonist has to accept her identity as part human, part demon – and when Cho first saw the screenplay, this struck a deep chord.

"Growing up in the US, 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 woman," she says.

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

"I can honestly say, at different points in my life, I hated a lot of myself and I longed to become a different person.

"During childhood, your surroundings shapes your development and I feel like I lacked exposure to enough people that look like me."

When it launched on Netflix in June, KPop Demon Hunters achieved 33 million views in just two weeks, and reached the highest positions of the streaming rankings in 93 countries. To be part of the pioneering animation set in Korea, with Korean leads, was for Cho "a dream come true" – but it has also established her as a inspiring figure for young Asian-Americans, the kind that was missing when in her youth.

Cho says many Korean-Americans have told her it's "such a refreshing moment", making them proud for the first time of their dual heritage and cultural roots.

"I feel like K-Pop has genuinely broken barriers. Korean cosmetics has had such a big impact on Korea being loved. But I believe this movie is the one that pushed it further, of, everybody wants to go to Korea, now," she comments.

But the movie's triumph was uncertain and the actress says she felt the production crew were "occasionally struggling against odds".

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

So, when she took on the role, she made an effort to connect with the entire cast and crew in person, she adds.

The film was released against the backdrop of increased immigration raids in the United States as part of mass deportation efforts, which sparked protests in numerous regions.

As an Asian-American residing in America "it's deeply saddening," she states. "Newcomers have shaped the nation."

Reports have estimated 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 adult, she 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 meant to be Korean or Asian.

"However today, in this day and age, when it seems the world and people ought to be more informed, it's deeply disheartening and at times I feel like we feel so hopeless," she expresses.

Due to this, it's particularly meaningful, she notes, that the film could bring "hope and joy and love to various groups".

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

The growth of AI is a major concern for the entertainment sector, raising the possibility that in coming years it could be used to make a movie like the animation.

Cho says she is aware that AI is already being used to replicate performers' vocals, but wants to "maintain faith in people" that individuals will still pursue art created by humans.

"Sure, I'm sure there will be digital performers and singers. I know they already exist. I know our voices are already being altered, but I hope people have some respect and desire for something real."

The film has also been dominating the international music rankings, with multiple songs from its soundtrack featured on the Billboard Hot 100. It has its own fan art, and audiences globally are calling for a follow-up.

Cho reveals she wishes she could answer the inquiry of whether that will happen – but both everyone involved will have to await the streaming service or the production company, which made the film, to approve the project.

"I'm aware 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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