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"{I hated that I had Asian features, that I lacked blue eyes and fair hair, because those were the beauty standards back then," says Arden Cho, who portrayed the lead character in the streaming platform's highly successful movie, the K-pop themed animation.

The performer, 40, is describing her childhood in Texas, as the firstborn child of parents who emigrated from Korea and her journey toward belonging in American society.

In the movie, which narrates the tale of a female K-Pop trio who must rescue humanity from dark powers, Rumi 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.

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

These elements were 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 someone else.

"During childhood, what you see influences who you become and it seems I lacked exposure to enough people that shared my appearance."

When it debuted on the platform in the summer, the animated feature registered 33 million views in just two weeks, and secured the highest positions of the Netflix charts in dozens of nations. To star in the first Hollywood animated film set in Korea, with Asian protagonists, was for Cho "an aspiration realized" – but it has also made her a powerful role model for young Asian-Americans, the type that she lacked when in her youth.

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

"I feel like K-Pop has genuinely broken barriers. Korean cosmetics has had a significant influence on global appreciation for Korea. But I believe this movie is the one that tipped it over the edge, of, inspiring travel to Korea, currently," Cho says.

But the film's success was uncertain and Cho admits she felt the production crew were "sometimes facing an uphill battle".

"It seems it's unfortunate to mention this, but any time there's an Asian-led project, people feel like it's a risk," she reveals.

So, when she took on the role, she took steps to meet everyone working on the film face-to-face, she adds.

The film was released against the backdrop of heightened enforcement actions in the United States as part of extensive removal policies, which sparked protests in many states.

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

Korean news sources 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 removed.

As an grown-up, Cho came to realise that the racism she had encountered when in her youth stemmed mainly from a knowledge gap, as many were unaware what it signified to be of Asian descent.

"But now, in the modern era, 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 feels very special, she notes, 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 we just needed positivity and a unifying element as one."

The growth of AI is a significant worry for the entertainment sector, creating the potential that in coming years it could be used to make a film like the animation.

Cho says she is conscious that AI is already being used to replicate actors' voices, but wants to "maintain faith in people" that audiences will still seek out art created by humans.

"Sure, I'm sure they're going to have digital performers and vocalists. I'm aware they already exist. I understand performers' voices are already being manipulated, but I hope people have some respect and want and love for something real."

KPop Demon Hunters has also been dominating the global music charts, with multiple songs from its score appearing in the Billboard Hot 100. It has its own fan art, and viewers globally are demanding a sequel.

She tells us she wishes she could answer the question of if a sequel is planned – but both she and fans will have to await the streaming service or the production company, which produced the movie, to give it the green light.

"I'm aware rumors are circulating, I've heard wonderful things," she shares. "Only time will tell, and I think fans everywhere would riot if it didn't happen."

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