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"{I disliked that I had Asian features, that I lacked light-colored eyes and fair hair, because those were the beauty standards at the time," says Arden Cho, who portrayed the lead character in Netflix's chart-topping animated film, KPop Demon Hunters.

The performer, 40, recalls her childhood in Texas, as the eldest daughter of parents who emigrated from Korea and her journey toward belonging in American society.

In the film, which tells the story of a girl group who must rescue humanity from evil forces, Rumi has to accept her identity as a hybrid being – and when Cho first saw the screenplay, this struck a deep chord.

"Growing up in the US, identifying as American but having people treat me like I'm not, grappling with my identity as an Korean-American, as a Korean-American, as a female," she explains.

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

"I can honestly say, at different points in my existence, I hated many parts of me and I wanted to be a different person.

"During childhood, your surroundings influences who you become and I feel like I just didn't see sufficient individuals that shared my appearance."

When it debuted on the platform in June, the animated feature achieved 33 million views in just 14 days, and reached the highest positions of the Netflix charts in dozens of nations. To star in the pioneering animation set in Korea, with Asian protagonists, was for Cho "a dream come true" – but it has also established her as a powerful role model for Asian-American children, the type that she lacked when she was young.

Cho notes many Korean-Americans have expressed it's "a breath of fresh air", making them proud for the first instance of their mixed background and culture.

"In my view K-Pop really, truly, has paved the way. Korean cosmetics has had a significant influence on Korea being loved. But I feel like this movie is the one that pushed it further, of, inspiring travel to Korea, now," she comments.

But the film's success was not guaranteed and Cho admits she felt the team making it were "occasionally struggling against odds".

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

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

The movie was launched against the backdrop of increased immigration raids 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 shaped the nation."

Reports have suggested that up to one hundred fifty thousand Korean immigrants without proper documentation, including adopted children, are among those who could be removed.

As an grown-up, she came to realise that the prejudice she had experienced when in her youth stemmed mainly from a lack of education, as many were unaware what it signified to be of Asian descent.

"But now, in this day and age, when it seems the world and individuals should know better, it is beyond disappointing and sometimes it appears there's a sense of despair," she says.

Due to this, it's particularly meaningful, she says, that KPop Demon Hunters could bring "hope and joy and love to various groups".

"Maybe that's why it became the season's hit film, because we just needed some hope and something to unite us as one."

The growth of AI is a significant worry for the film industry, creating the potential that in future it could be used to produce a movie like KPop Demon Hunters.

Cho says she is conscious that technology is already being used to copy actors' voices, but wants to "have hope in humanity" that individuals will still seek out art created by humans.

"Sure, I believe there will be digital performers and singers. I know they're already here. I know our voices are already being altered, but I hope the public have appreciation and desire for authentic creations."

The film has also been dominating the international music rankings, with seven tracks from its soundtrack featured on the prestigious charts. It has its own fan art, and viewers around the world are calling for a sequel.

Cho reveals she would like to confirm 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 made the film, to approve the project.

"I'm aware rumors are circulating, the feedback is positive," she shares. "So we shall see, and I believe fans everywhere would protest if there wasn't."

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