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This feature delves into extraordinary interviews and stories from around the globe.

"{I hated that I had Asian features, that I didn't have blue eyes and fair hair, because those were the beauty standards at the time," says Arden Cho, who portrayed Rumi in Netflix's chart-topping movie, KPop Demon Hunters.

The performer, forty, recalls her childhood in the southern state, as the eldest daughter of Korean immigrant parents and her struggle for acceptance in the United States.

In the film, which narrates the tale of a female K-Pop trio who must save the world from evil forces, the protagonist has to accept 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 people treat me like I'm not, grappling with my identity as an Asian-American, as a Asian-American, as a woman," she explains.

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

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

"During childhood, what you see influences your development and it seems I just didn't see enough people that shared my appearance."

When it debuted on the platform in the summer, the animated feature achieved millions of streams in just 14 days, and secured the top 10 of the Netflix charts in 93 countries. To star in the first Hollywood animated film with a Korean setting, with Asian protagonists, was for her "a dream come true" – but it has also established her as a inspiring figure for Asian-American children, the kind that was missing when she was young.

She says many Korean-Americans have told her it's "a breath of fresh air", making them feel pride for the first time of their dual heritage and cultural roots.

"In my view Korean pop music really, truly, has paved the way. K-beauty has had such a big impact on global appreciation for Korea. 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 mention this, but any time there's an production with Asian leads, it's perceived like it's a risk," she says.

So, when she accepted the part, she made an effort to meet the entire cast and crew face-to-face, she says.

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

As an Asian-American living in the US "it's deeply saddening," says Cho. "Newcomers have made America what it is."

Korean news sources have estimated that up to 150,000 individuals from Korea lacking legal status, including those who were adopted, are among those who could be removed.

As an adult, Cho understood that the racism she had experienced when she was younger stemmed mainly from a lack of education, as many were unaware what it signified to be Korean or Asian.

"But now, in this day and age, when it seems the society and people ought to be more informed, it is beyond disappointing and at times I feel like we feel so hopeless," she says.

Due to this, it feels very special, she says, that the film could bring "hope and joy and love to various groups".

"Maybe that's why it became this movie of the summer, because we just needed some hope and a unifying element as one."

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

Cho acknowledges she is aware that AI is already being used to replicate performers' vocals, but wants to "maintain faith in people" that audiences will still pursue art created by humans.

"Certainly, I'm sure there will be digital performers and vocalists. I know they're already here. I know our voices are already being altered, but I trust people have appreciation and desire for authentic creations."

KPop Demon Hunters has also been leading the global music charts, with multiple songs from its score featured on the prestigious charts. It has its own fan creations, and audiences around the world are calling for a sequel.

She reveals she would like to confirm the question of if a sequel is planned – but both she and fans will have to await the streaming service or the studio, which produced the movie, to approve the project.

"I know rumors are circulating, the feedback is positive," she shares. "Only time will tell, and I think fans everywhere would protest if it didn't happen."

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