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"{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 portrayed Rumi in Netflix's highly successful animated film, KPop Demon Hunters.

The performer, forty, recalls her early years in the southern state, as the eldest daughter of Korean immigrant parents and her journey toward belonging in American society.

In the movie, which tells the story of a girl group who must rescue humanity 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 resonated powerfully.

"Growing up in the US, feeling American but having people treat me like a foreigner, trying to figure out my identity as an Korean-American, as a Korean-American, as a female," she says.

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

"I can honestly say, at various stages in my existence, I hated a lot of myself and I longed to become someone else.

"During childhood, what you see influences your development and I feel like I just didn't see enough people that look like me."

When it launched on Netflix in the summer, KPop Demon Hunters achieved millions of streams in just two weeks, and reached 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 "a dream come true" – but it has also made her a powerful role model for Asian-American children, the kind that was missing when in her youth.

She says many Korean-Americans have told her it's "a breath of fresh air", making them feel pride for the first instance of their mixed background and culture.

"I feel like K-Pop really, truly, has paved the way. K-beauty has had a significant influence on global appreciation for Korea. But I believe the film is the one that tipped it over the edge, of, inspiring travel to Korea, now," Cho says.

But the movie's triumph was not guaranteed and Cho says she felt the team making it were "sometimes facing an uphill battle".

"It seems it kind of sucks to say this, but any time there's an production with Asian leads, it's perceived like it's a risk," she reveals.

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

The film was released amid 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," she states. "Immigrants have made America what it is."

Korean news sources have estimated that up to 150,000 Korean immigrants lacking legal status, including adopted children, are among those who could be deported.

As an grown-up, Cho came to realise that the prejudice she had experienced when she was younger stemmed mainly from a knowledge gap, as people didn't know what it signified to be Korean or Asian.

"But now, in the modern era, when I feel like the world and people ought to be more informed, it's deeply disheartening and sometimes it appears we feel so hopeless," she says.

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's sort of like the season's hit film, because there was a need for positivity and something to unite us all together."

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

Cho says she is aware that AI is already being used to replicate performers' vocals, but aims to "have hope in humanity" that audiences will still pursue art created by humans.

"Certainly, I'm sure they're going to have AI actors and singers. I know they're already here. I know performers' voices are already being altered, 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 multiple songs from its soundtrack appearing in the prestigious charts. It has its own fan art, and viewers globally are demanding a follow-up.

She tells us she would like to confirm the inquiry of if a sequel is planned – but both everyone involved will have to await the platform or the studio, which produced the movie, to give it the green light.

"I'm aware rumors are circulating, I've heard wonderful things," she says. "Only time will tell, and I believe fans everywhere would riot if there wasn't."

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