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This exclusive piece explores extraordinary interviews and narratives from worldwide.

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

Cho, 40, is describing her early years in the southern state, as the eldest daughter of parents who emigrated from Korea and her struggle for acceptance in the United States.

In the movie, which tells the story of a female K-Pop trio who must rescue humanity from dark powers, Rumi has to come to terms with her identity as a hybrid being – and when she first saw the screenplay, 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 Asian-American, as a Korean-American, as a female," she says.

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

"Truthfully, at different points in my life, I despised many parts of me and I longed to become a different person.

"As kids, what you see influences your development and it seems I lacked exposure to sufficient individuals that shared my appearance."

When it debuted on the platform in June, KPop Demon Hunters achieved 33 million views in just two weeks, and secured the highest positions of the streaming rankings in dozens of nations. To star in the pioneering animation with a Korean setting, with Korean leads, was for her "an aspiration realized" – but it has also made her a powerful role model for Asian-American children, the type that she lacked when she was young.

She notes many individuals of Korean descent have told her it's "such a refreshing moment", making them feel pride for the first time of their mixed background and culture.

"In my view Korean pop music has genuinely broken barriers. K-beauty has had such a big impact on Korea being loved. But I believe the film is the one that tipped it over the edge, of, inspiring travel to Korea, currently," she comments.

But the movie's triumph was not guaranteed and Cho admits she felt the production crew were "sometimes facing an uphill battle".

"It seems 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 took on the role, she made an effort to meet everyone working on the film face-to-face, she says.

The film was released against the backdrop of heightened enforcement actions in the US as part of mass deportation efforts, which triggered demonstrations 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 150,000 Korean immigrants without proper documentation, including adopted children, are among those who could be deported.

As an adult, she came to realise that the racism she had encountered when in her youth stemmed mainly from a knowledge gap, as people didn't know what it meant to be Korean or Asian.

"However today, in the modern era, when it seems the society and people should know better, it's deeply disheartening and sometimes I feel like there's a sense of despair," she says.

Due to this, it feels very special, she says, that KPop Demon Hunters could bring "hope and joy and love to various groups".

"Perhaps this explains it became this movie of the summer, because we just needed positivity and something to unite us as one."

The advancement of artificial intelligence is a significant worry for the entertainment sector, creating the potential 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 copy actors' voices, but aims to "maintain faith in people" that individuals will still seek out human-made creativity.

"Certainly, I believe they're going to have digital performers and vocalists. I'm aware they're already here. I understand performers' voices are already being altered, but I hope people have some respect and desire for something real."

The film has also been leading the global music charts, with seven tracks from its score appearing in the prestigious charts. It has its own fan art, and audiences around the world are calling for a sequel.

Cho tells us she would like to confirm the question of if a sequel is planned – but both everyone involved will have to await the streaming service or the studio, which made the film, to approve the project.

"I'm aware rumors are circulating, the feedback is positive," she says. "So we shall see, and I think fans everywhere would riot if it didn't happen."

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