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"{I disliked that I looked Asian, that I didn't have blue eyes and blonde hair, because that's what was beautiful at the time," says Arden Cho, who portrayed Rumi in the streaming platform's chart-topping animated film, KPop Demon Hunters.

Cho, forty, recalls her early years in Texas, as the eldest daughter of parents who emigrated from Korea and her struggle for acceptance in American society.

In the film, which narrates the tale of a girl group who must rescue humanity from dark powers, 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, feeling American but having people treat me like a foreigner, trying to figure out my identity as an Asian-American, as a Asian-American, as a woman," she explains.

These elements were components of her formative years that mirrored Rumi's journey.

"I can honestly say, at various stages in my life, I hated a lot of myself and I wanted to be a different person.

"During childhood, your surroundings shapes your development and it seems I just didn't see sufficient individuals that shared my appearance."

When it debuted on the platform in the summer, KPop Demon Hunters registered 33 million views in just two weeks, and secured the top 10 of the Netflix charts in dozens of nations. To be part of the first Hollywood animated film set in Korea, with Korean leads, was for her "an aspiration realized" – but it has also made her a inspiring figure for young Asian-Americans, the kind that she lacked when in her youth.

Cho notes many Korean-Americans have told her it's "such a refreshing moment", making them proud for the first instance of their mixed background 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 tipped it over the edge, of, inspiring travel to Korea, currently," Cho says.

But the movie's triumph was not guaranteed and the actress admits she felt the team making it were "occasionally struggling against odds".

"It seems it kind of sucks to mention this, but any time there's an production with Asian leads, people feel like a gamble," she says.

So, when she took on the role, she took steps to connect with the entire cast and crew face-to-face, she says.

The film was released amid increased immigration raids in the United States as part of extensive removal policies, which triggered demonstrations in many states.

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

Reports have suggested that up to one hundred fifty thousand individuals from Korea lacking legal status, including adopted children, are among those who could be removed.

As an adult, she came to realise that the racism she had experienced when in her youth stemmed mainly from a knowledge gap, as many were unaware what it meant to be of Asian descent.

"But now, in the modern era, when it seems the society and people ought to be more informed, 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 "optimism and happiness to various groups".

"Maybe that's why it's sort of like this movie of the summer, because we just needed some hope and something to unite us as one."

The advancement of artificial intelligence is a major concern for the film industry, creating the potential that in future it could be used to produce a film like KPop Demon Hunters.

The actress acknowledges 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 human-made creativity.

"Certainly, I'm sure there will be digital performers and singers. I know they're already here. I know our voices are already being altered, but I hope people have appreciation and desire for authentic creations."

The film has also been leading the global music charts, with seven tracks from its soundtrack featured on the prestigious charts. It has its own fan art, and viewers around the world are demanding a sequel.

Cho tells us she wishes she could answer the question of if a sequel is planned – but both everyone involved will have to wait for the platform or the production company, which made the film, to approve the project.

"I know there's lots of murmurs, I've heard wonderful things," she says. "Only time will tell, and I think everyone in the world would protest if there wasn't."

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