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"{I disliked that I had Asian features, that I didn't have light-colored eyes and blonde hair, because that's what was beautiful back then," reveals Arden Cho, who voiced the lead character in the streaming platform's highly successful animated film, the K-pop themed animation.

The performer, 40, recalls her childhood in Texas, as the eldest daughter of parents who emigrated from Korea and her journey toward belonging in the United States.

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 come to terms with her true nature as a hybrid being – and when she first read the script, this resonated powerfully.

"Growing up in the US, identifying as American but having others view me like I'm not, trying to figure out my identity as an Asian-American, as a Asian-American, as a female," she explains.

These were all aspects of her formative years that paralleled Rumi's journey.

"Truthfully, at various stages in my existence, I despised many parts of me and I wanted to be someone else.

"During childhood, what you see influences who you become and it seems I lacked exposure to enough people that look like me."

When it debuted on the platform in June, the animated feature achieved millions of streams in just two weeks, and reached the top 10 of the Netflix charts 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 established her as a inspiring figure for young Asian-Americans, the type that was missing when in her youth.

Cho says many individuals of Korean descent have told her it's "a breath of fresh air", making them feel pride for the first instance of their dual heritage and cultural roots.

"In my view K-Pop has genuinely broken barriers. Korean cosmetics has had a significant influence on Korea being loved. 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 the actress says she felt the team making it were "sometimes facing an uphill battle".

"I feel like 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 accepted the part, she made an effort to connect with everyone working on the film in person, she says.

The movie was launched amid increased immigration raids in the US as part of extensive removal policies, which triggered demonstrations in numerous regions.

As an person of Asian descent living in the US "it's deeply saddening," she states. "Immigrants have made America what it is."

Reports have estimated that up to 150,000 individuals from Korea lacking legal status, including adopted children, are among those who could be deported.

As an adult, Cho understood that the prejudice she had experienced when she was younger was largely due to 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 I feel like the society and individuals ought to be more informed, it's deeply disheartening and at times I feel like there's a sense of despair," she expresses.

Because of this, it feels very special, she says, that KPop Demon Hunters 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 all together."

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

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

"Certainly, I'm sure they're going to have digital performers and singers. I'm aware they're already here. I know our voices are already being altered, but I hope people have appreciation and want and love for authentic creations."

KPop Demon Hunters has also been leading the international music rankings, with multiple songs from its soundtrack featured on the Billboard Hot 100. It has its own fan creations, and viewers around the world are calling for a follow-up.

She reveals she would like to confirm the inquiry of whether that will happen – but both she and fans will have to wait for the platform or the production company, which produced the movie, to approve the project.

"I'm aware rumors are circulating, I've heard wonderful things," she shares. "Only time will tell, and I believe everyone in the world would protest if it didn't happen."

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