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"{I hated that I had Asian features, that I lacked blue eyes and fair hair, because those were the beauty standards back then," reveals Arden Cho, who voiced the lead character in the streaming platform's chart-topping animated film, KPop Demon Hunters.

Cho, 40, is describing her childhood in the southern state, as the eldest daughter 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 accept her identity as a hybrid being – and when Cho first read the script, this struck a deep chord.

"Growing up in the US, feeling American but having people treat me like I'm not, trying to figure out my identity as an Asian-American, as a Asian-American, as a woman," she explains.

These elements were aspects of her formative years that mirrored Rumi's journey.

"I can honestly say, at different points in my life, I despised many parts of me and I longed to become a different person.

"During childhood, what you see influences your development and I feel like I just didn't see sufficient individuals that shared my appearance."

When it launched on Netflix in June, KPop Demon Hunters registered millions of streams in just 14 days, and secured the highest positions of the Netflix charts in 93 countries. To star in the pioneering animation 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 type that she lacked when in her youth.

Cho 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 culture.

"In my view Korean pop music has genuinely broken barriers. K-beauty has had a significant influence on Korea being loved. But I believe this movie 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 Cho admits she felt the production crew were "occasionally struggling against odds".

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

The film was launched against the backdrop of heightened enforcement actions in the US as part of extensive removal policies, which triggered demonstrations in many states.

As an Asian-American living in the US "it's heartbreaking and disappointing," says Cho. "Newcomers have shaped the nation."

Korean news sources have suggested that up to one hundred fifty thousand individuals from Korea without proper documentation, including those who were adopted, are among those who could be removed.

As an adult, she came to realise that the prejudice she had encountered when she was younger stemmed mainly from a knowledge gap, as people didn't know what it signified to be of Asian descent.

"But now, in the modern era, when it seems the society and individuals should know better, it is beyond disappointing and at times it appears there's a sense of despair," she expresses.

Because of this, it's particularly meaningful, she says, that the film could bring "optimism and happiness to various groups".

"Perhaps this explains it's sort of like the season's hit film, because we just needed positivity and something to unite us all together."

The advancement of artificial intelligence is a major concern for the film industry, creating the potential that in future it could be used to produce a film like the animation.

Cho acknowledges she is aware that technology is already being used to copy actors' voices, but aims to "maintain faith in people" that audiences will still pursue human-made creativity.

"Sure, I believe there will be digital performers and vocalists. I know they're already here. I know our voices are already being altered, but I trust the public have appreciation and want and love for authentic creations."

The film has also been dominating the global music charts, with seven tracks from its soundtrack featured on the prestigious charts. It has its own fan art, and audiences around the world are calling for a follow-up.

Cho tells us she wishes she could answer the question of if a sequel is planned – but both everyone involved will have to await the platform or the production company, which produced the movie, to approve the project.

"I'm aware there's lots of murmurs, I've heard wonderful things," she shares. "Only time will tell, and I think fans everywhere would riot if there wasn't."

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