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"{I hated that I looked Asian, that I didn't have blue eyes and fair hair, because those were the beauty standards back then," reveals Arden Cho, who portrayed Rumi in Netflix's highly successful movie, KPop Demon Hunters.

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

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

"Being born in America, identifying as American but having people treat me like I'm not, trying to figure out my sense of self as an Asian-American, as a Asian-American, as a woman," she explains.

These were all aspects of her formative years that paralleled the character's path.

"Truthfully, at various stages in my life, I hated a lot of myself and I wanted to be someone else.

"As kids, your surroundings shapes who you become and it seems I just didn't see sufficient individuals that look like me."

When it launched on Netflix in June, the animated feature achieved millions of streams in just two weeks, and reached the highest positions of the streaming rankings in dozens of nations. To be part of the pioneering animation set in Korea, with Korean leads, was for her "a dream come true" – but it has also established her as a inspiring figure for young Asian-Americans, the type that she lacked when she was young.

She notes many individuals of Korean descent have told her it's "a breath of fresh air", making them proud for the first time of their mixed background and culture.

"In my view K-Pop has genuinely broken barriers. Korean cosmetics has had a significant influence on Korea being loved. But I believe this movie is the one that pushed it further, of, everybody wants to go to Korea, now," she comments.

But the movie's triumph was uncertain and the actress admits she felt the production crew were "sometimes facing an uphill battle".

"It seems it kind of sucks to say this, but any time there's an Asian-led project, it's perceived like a gamble," she says.

So, when she accepted the part, she took steps to meet everyone working on the film in person, she adds.

The film was launched against the backdrop of increased immigration raids in the US as part of mass deportation efforts, which triggered demonstrations in numerous regions.

As an person of Asian descent living in the US "it's heartbreaking and disappointing," says Cho. "Immigrants have made America what it is."

Korean news sources have estimated that up to one hundred fifty thousand individuals from Korea lacking legal status, including those who were adopted, are among those who could be removed.

As an adult, she understood that the racism she had experienced when in her youth was largely due to a knowledge gap, as people didn't know what it signified to be Korean or Asian.

"However today, in the modern era, when it seems the society and people ought to be more informed, it is beyond disappointing and at times it appears we feel so hopeless," she says.

Because of this, it's particularly meaningful, she notes, 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, raising the possibility that in coming years it could be used to make a film like KPop Demon Hunters.

The actress says she is aware that technology is already being used to replicate performers' vocals, but wants to "have hope in humanity" that individuals will still pursue art created by humans.

"Sure, I believe there will be digital performers and singers. I know they already exist. I understand performers' voices are already being altered, but I hope people have appreciation and want and love for authentic creations."

The film has also been dominating the international music rankings, with multiple songs from its soundtrack appearing in the prestigious charts. It has its own fan art, and audiences globally are calling for a follow-up.

Cho reveals she wishes she could answer the inquiry of whether that will happen – but both she and fans will have to wait for the platform or the studio, which produced the movie, to give it the green light.

"I'm aware there's lots of murmurs, the feedback is positive," she says. "So we shall see, and I think everyone in the world would protest if there wasn't."

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