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"{I disliked that I looked Asian, that I lacked light-colored eyes and fair hair, because that's what was beautiful back then," reveals Arden Cho, who voiced the lead character in Netflix's highly successful animated film, the K-pop themed animation.

The performer, 40, is describing her childhood in Texas, as the firstborn child of Korean immigrant parents and her journey toward belonging in the United States.

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.

"Being born in America, identifying as American but having people treat me like I'm not, grappling with my sense of self as an Korean-American, as a Korean-American, as a female," she explains.

These elements were aspects of her early life that mirrored the character's path.

"I can honestly say, at different points in my life, I hated a lot of myself and I wanted to be someone else.

"During childhood, your surroundings influences your development and it seems I lacked exposure to sufficient individuals that look like me."

When it launched on Netflix in June, KPop Demon Hunters achieved millions of streams in just two weeks, and reached the highest positions of the streaming rankings in dozens of nations. To star in 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 powerful role model for young Asian-Americans, the kind that she lacked when in her youth.

She notes many Korean-Americans have expressed 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 has genuinely broken barriers. Korean cosmetics has had such a big impact on Korea being loved. But I feel like the film is the one that pushed it further, of, inspiring travel to Korea, now," Cho says.

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

"I feel like it kind of sucks to say 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 meet everyone working on the film face-to-face, she adds.

The movie was released against the backdrop of heightened enforcement actions in the US as part of extensive removal policies, which sparked protests in numerous regions.

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

Reports have estimated that up to one hundred fifty thousand individuals from Korea without proper documentation, including adopted children, are among those who could be removed.

As an adult, she came to realise 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.

"But now, in this day and age, when it seems the society and people should know better, 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 "optimism and happiness 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 major concern for the entertainment sector, creating the potential that in future it could be used to produce a movie like the animation.

The actress acknowledges she is conscious that AI is already being used to replicate performers' vocals, but aims to "maintain faith in people" 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 already exist. I understand performers' voices are already being manipulated, but I trust the public have appreciation and desire for something real."

The film has also been dominating the global music charts, with multiple songs from its score appearing in the prestigious charts. It has its own fan creations, and audiences globally are demanding a sequel.

She reveals she would like to confirm the inquiry of whether that will happen – but both everyone involved will have to wait for the platform or the studio, 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 believe everyone in the world would protest if there wasn't."

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