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This exclusive piece delves into extraordinary interviews and stories from worldwide.

"{I hated that I had Asian features, that I didn't have blue eyes and fair hair, because those were the beauty standards back then," says Arden Cho, who voiced the lead character in the streaming platform's chart-topping movie, KPop Demon Hunters.

The performer, forty, is describing her childhood in the southern state, as the firstborn child of Korean immigrant parents and her journey toward belonging in American society.

In the film, which narrates the tale of a girl group who must rescue humanity from evil forces, Rumi has to accept her true nature as part human, part demon – and when she first saw the screenplay, this resonated powerfully.

"Being born in America, identifying as American but having others view me like I'm not, grappling with my identity as an Asian-American, as a Korean-American, as a woman," she explains.

These were all aspects of her early life that mirrored Rumi's journey.

"I can honestly say, at various stages in my existence, I despised a lot of myself and I wanted to be someone else.

"During childhood, your surroundings shapes your development and I feel like I lacked exposure to sufficient individuals that shared my appearance."

When it launched on Netflix in the summer, the animated feature registered 33 million views in just 14 days, and secured the highest positions of the Netflix charts in dozens of nations. To be part of the pioneering animation set in Korea, with Asian protagonists, was for her "a dream come true" – but it has also made her a inspiring figure for young Asian-Americans, the kind that she lacked when in her youth.

Cho says many individuals of Korean descent 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. K-beauty 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, now," she comments.

But the film's success was not guaranteed and the actress admits she felt the team making it were "sometimes facing an uphill battle".

"It seems it's unfortunate to say this, but whenever there's an production with Asian leads, people feel like a gamble," she reveals.

So, when she accepted the part, she made an effort to connect with everyone working on the film in person, she adds.

The movie was released against the backdrop of increased immigration raids in the US as part of extensive removal policies, which triggered demonstrations in many states.

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

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

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

"But now, in the modern era, when I feel like the society 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 feels very special, she notes, that the film could bring "hope and joy and love to all these different communities".

"Perhaps this explains it's sort of like the season's hit film, because there was a need for positivity and something to unite us all together."

The growth of AI is a major concern for the film industry, creating the potential that in coming years it could be used to make a film like KPop Demon Hunters.

Cho says she is aware that AI is already being used to copy actors' voices, but aims to "have hope in humanity" that individuals will still pursue human-made creativity.

"Certainly, I'm sure they're going to have digital performers and vocalists. I'm aware they're already here. I know performers' voices are already being altered, but I hope the public have appreciation and want and love for something real."

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

Cho tells us she would like to confirm the inquiry of whether that will happen – but both she and fans will have to wait for the platform or the production company, which made the film, to approve the project.

"I'm aware there's lots of murmurs, I've heard wonderful things," she says. "So we shall see, and I believe fans everywhere would protest if it didn't happen."

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