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This exclusive piece explores extraordinary interviews and narratives from around the globe.

"{I disliked that I looked Asian, that I lacked blue eyes and blonde hair, because that's what was beautiful at the time," reveals Arden Cho, who voiced the lead character in Netflix's highly successful animated film, KPop Demon Hunters.

The performer, forty, recalls her early years in the southern state, as the firstborn child of parents who emigrated from Korea and her journey toward belonging in American society.

In the film, which tells the story of a female K-Pop trio who must save the world from dark powers, the protagonist has to come to terms with her identity as a hybrid being – and when Cho first read the script, this resonated powerfully.

"Being born in America, identifying as American but having others view me like a foreigner, grappling with my identity as an Asian-American, as a Korean-American, as a female," she explains.

These elements were components of her formative years that paralleled Rumi's journey.

"Truthfully, at different points in my life, I despised a lot of myself and I longed to become someone else.

"As kids, what you see influences your development and I feel like I lacked exposure to enough people that look like me."

When it launched on Netflix in the summer, KPop Demon Hunters achieved millions of streams in just two weeks, and reached the top 10 of the streaming rankings in dozens of nations. To be part of the pioneering animation set in Korea, with Korean leads, was for her "an aspiration realized" – but it has also established her as a powerful role model for Asian-American children, the type that was missing when in her youth.

She notes many individuals of Korean descent have told her it's "such a refreshing moment", making them feel pride for the first time of their dual heritage and cultural roots.

"I feel like Korean pop music really, truly, has paved the way. Korean cosmetics has had a significant influence on global appreciation for Korea. But I feel like the film is the one that tipped it over the edge, of, inspiring travel to Korea, currently," she comments.

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

"I feel like it kind of sucks to mention this, but any time there's an production with Asian leads, people feel like a gamble," she says.

So, when she took on the role, she took steps to connect with everyone working on the film face-to-face, she adds.

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

As an person of Asian descent residing in America "it's deeply saddening," says Cho. "Immigrants have shaped the nation."

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

As an grown-up, she understood that the prejudice she had experienced when she was younger was largely due to a knowledge gap, as people didn't know what it meant to be of Asian descent.

"But now, in the modern era, when I feel like the society and individuals ought to be more informed, it's deeply disheartening and at times I feel like we feel so hopeless," she says.

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

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

The growth of AI is a significant worry for the entertainment sector, raising the possibility that in future it could be used to produce a movie like KPop Demon Hunters.

The actress says she is aware that technology is already being used to replicate performers' vocals, but aims to "maintain faith in people" that individuals will still seek out art created by humans.

"Sure, I'm sure there will be AI actors and vocalists. I'm aware they're already here. I understand performers' 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 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 await the platform or the production company, which made the film, to give it the green light.

"I know rumors are circulating, I've heard wonderful things," she says. "Only time will tell, and I think fans everywhere would protest if it didn't happen."

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