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"{I disliked that I had Asian features, that I lacked blue eyes and fair hair, because that's what was beautiful at the time," reveals Arden Cho, who portrayed Rumi in the streaming platform's chart-topping animated film, the K-pop themed animation.

Cho, 40, is describing her early years in the southern state, as the eldest daughter of Korean immigrant parents and her struggle for acceptance in American society.

In the film, which tells the story of a female K-Pop trio who must rescue humanity from evil forces, the protagonist has to come to terms with her true nature as part human, part demon – 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 Asian-American, as a Asian-American, as a female," she says.

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

"Truthfully, at different points in my life, I despised many parts of me and I longed to become someone else.

"During childhood, what you see influences who you become and it seems I just didn't see sufficient individuals that look like me."

When it debuted on the platform in the summer, KPop Demon Hunters registered 33 million views in just two weeks, and reached the top 10 of the streaming rankings in 93 countries. To be part of the first Hollywood animated film with a Korean setting, with Korean leads, was for Cho "a dream come true" – but it has also established her as a inspiring figure for young Asian-Americans, the kind that she lacked when she was young.

She says 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 cultural roots.

"In my view K-Pop has genuinely broken barriers. K-beauty has had such a big impact on Korea being loved. But I feel like the film is the one that tipped it over the edge, of, everybody wants to go to Korea, now," Cho says.

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

"I feel like it's unfortunate to say this, but any time there's an production with Asian leads, it's perceived like a gamble," she says.

So, when she accepted the part, she made an effort to meet everyone working on the film in person, she says.

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

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

Reports have suggested that up to one hundred fifty thousand individuals from Korea lacking legal status, including those who were adopted, 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 lack of education, 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.

Due to this, it feels very special, she notes, that KPop Demon Hunters could bring "hope and joy and love to various groups".

"Perhaps this explains it's sort of like the season's hit film, because we just needed positivity and a unifying element all together."

The growth of AI is a major concern for the entertainment sector, raising the possibility that in coming years it could be used to make a film like KPop Demon Hunters.

Cho acknowledges she is conscious that AI is already being used to copy performers' vocals, but aims to "have hope in humanity" that audiences will still pursue art created by humans.

"Certainly, 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 leading the international music rankings, with seven tracks from its soundtrack appearing in the Billboard Hot 100. It has its own fan creations, and audiences around the world are demanding a follow-up.

She reveals she wishes she could answer the inquiry of whether that will happen – but both everyone involved will have to wait for the streaming service or the production company, which produced the movie, to approve the project.

"I'm aware there's lots of murmurs, the feedback is positive," she shares. "Only time will tell, and I think everyone in the world would protest if it didn't happen."

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