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"{I hated that I looked Asian, that I lacked blue eyes and blonde hair, because that's what was beautiful at the time," says Arden Cho, who portrayed Rumi in Netflix's highly successful animated film, the K-pop themed animation.

The performer, 40, recalls her childhood in Texas, as the firstborn child of parents who emigrated from Korea and her struggle for acceptance in American society.

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 true nature as part human, part demon – and when Cho first saw the screenplay, this resonated powerfully.

"Growing up in the US, identifying as American but having others view me like a foreigner, trying to figure out my sense of self as an Korean-American, as a Korean-American, as a woman," she explains.

These elements were aspects of her formative years that mirrored the character's path.

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

"As kids, what you see shapes who you become and I feel like I lacked exposure to sufficient individuals that look like me."

When it debuted on the platform in June, KPop Demon Hunters achieved millions of streams in just 14 days, and secured the top 10 of the streaming rankings in dozens of nations. To be part of the first Hollywood animated film with a Korean setting, with Asian protagonists, was for Cho "a dream come true" – but it has also made her a inspiring figure for Asian-American children, the kind that was missing when she was young.

Cho notes many Korean-Americans have told her it's "such a refreshing moment", making them proud for the first instance of their dual heritage and culture.

"I feel like K-Pop really, truly, has paved the way. Korean cosmetics has had a significant influence on Korea being loved. But I believe the film is the one that pushed it further, of, everybody wants to go to Korea, currently," Cho says.

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

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

So, when she took on the role, she made an effort to connect with everyone working on the film face-to-face, she says.

The film was launched against the backdrop of increased immigration raids in the United States as part of mass deportation efforts, which sparked protests in many states.

As an Asian-American residing in America "it's heartbreaking and disappointing," she states. "Newcomers have made America what it is."

Reports have estimated that up to 150,000 Korean immigrants without proper documentation, including those who were adopted, are among those who could be deported.

As an adult, Cho came to realise that the prejudice she had experienced when in her youth was largely due to a knowledge gap, as many were unaware what it meant to be of Asian descent.

"However today, in this day and age, when I feel like the society and individuals ought to be more informed, it's deeply disheartening and sometimes I feel like we feel so hopeless," she says.

Because of this, it feels very special, she says, that the film could bring "optimism and happiness to all these different communities".

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

The growth of AI is a major concern for the entertainment sector, creating the potential that in coming years it could be used to produce a movie like KPop Demon Hunters.

The actress says she is aware that AI is already being used to replicate actors' voices, but aims to "maintain faith in people" that individuals will still pursue human-made creativity.

"Certainly, I believe there will be AI actors and vocalists. I know they already exist. I know our voices are already being manipulated, but I hope the public have some respect and want and love for something real."

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

Cho reveals she would like to confirm the question 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, the feedback is positive," she shares. "So we shall see, and I think everyone in the world would protest if there wasn't."

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