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"{I disliked that I looked Asian, 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 chart-topping animated film, the K-pop themed animation.

The performer, forty, recalls her early years in the southern state, as the eldest daughter of Korean immigrant parents and her struggle for acceptance in American society.

In the film, which tells the story of a female K-Pop trio who must rescue humanity from dark powers, Rumi has to accept her identity as a hybrid being – and when she first read the script, this struck a deep chord.

"Growing up in the US, identifying as American but having people treat me like I'm not, trying to figure out my sense of self as an Asian-American, as a Korean-American, as a female," she explains.

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

"Truthfully, at different points in my existence, I hated a lot of myself and I wanted to be a different person.

"As kids, what you see shapes who you become and it seems I lacked exposure to enough people that shared my appearance."

When it launched on Netflix in June, KPop Demon Hunters achieved millions of streams in just two weeks, and secured the top 10 of the streaming rankings in dozens of nations. To be part of the pioneering animation with a Korean setting, with Korean leads, was for her "an aspiration realized" – but it has also established her as a powerful role model for Asian-American children, the kind that she lacked when in her youth.

She notes many individuals of Korean descent have expressed it's "such a refreshing moment", making them proud for the first instance of their dual heritage and cultural roots.

"In my view Korean pop music really, truly, has paved the way. 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, currently," Cho says.

But the film's success was not guaranteed and Cho says she felt the production crew were "sometimes facing an uphill battle".

"I feel like it kind of sucks to say this, but any time there's an Asian-led project, it's perceived like it's a risk," she reveals.

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

The movie was released against the backdrop of heightened enforcement actions in the US as part of extensive removal policies, which sparked protests in numerous regions.

As an person of Asian descent living in the US "it's deeply saddening," says Cho. "Immigrants have shaped the nation."

Korean news sources have suggested that up to 150,000 Korean immigrants lacking legal status, including those who were adopted, are among those who could be removed.

As an adult, she understood that the prejudice she had experienced when she was younger was largely due to a knowledge gap, as people didn't know what it signified to be of Asian descent.

"But now, in this day and age, when I feel like the society and people ought to be more informed, it is beyond disappointing and sometimes I feel like there's a sense of despair," she says.

Because of this, it's particularly meaningful, she says, that the film could bring "optimism and happiness to various groups".

"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 all together."

The growth of AI is a major concern for the entertainment sector, creating the potential that in future it could be used to make a film like KPop Demon Hunters.

The actress acknowledges she is aware that AI is already being used to copy performers' vocals, but aims to "have hope in humanity" that individuals will still seek out human-made creativity.

"Certainly, I'm sure they're going to have digital performers and vocalists. I'm aware they're already here. I understand our voices are already being manipulated, but I trust people have some respect and want and love for authentic creations."

KPop Demon Hunters has also been leading the international music rankings, with seven tracks from its soundtrack appearing in the Billboard Hot 100. It has its own fan creations, and viewers around the world are demanding a sequel.

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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