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

Cho, 40, is describing her early years in the southern state, as the eldest daughter of parents who emigrated from Korea and her struggle for acceptance in the United States.

In the movie, which narrates the tale of a female K-Pop trio who must save the world from evil forces, the protagonist has to come to terms with her true nature as part human, part demon – and when she first read the script, this struck a deep chord.

"Being born in America, feeling American but having others view me like a foreigner, trying to figure out my sense of self as an Korean-American, as a Korean-American, as a female," she says.

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

"Truthfully, at various stages in my existence, I despised a lot of myself and I wanted to be a different person.

"During childhood, what you see shapes your development and it seems I lacked exposure to sufficient individuals that look like me."

When it launched on Netflix in the summer, KPop Demon Hunters registered millions of streams in just two weeks, and reached the highest positions of the streaming rankings in dozens of nations. To be part of the first Hollywood animated film set in Korea, with Asian protagonists, was for Cho "an aspiration realized" – but it has also made her a powerful role model for young Asian-Americans, the kind that she lacked when she was young.

She notes many individuals of Korean descent have expressed it's "a breath of fresh air", making them proud for the first time of their mixed background and cultural roots.

"In my view Korean pop music really, truly, has paved the way. 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," she comments.

But the movie's triumph was not guaranteed and Cho says she felt the production crew were "sometimes facing an uphill battle".

"It seems it's unfortunate to mention this, but any time there's an Asian-led project, it's perceived like it's a risk," she says.

So, when she accepted the part, she took steps to meet the entire cast and crew 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 Asian-American living in the US "it's heartbreaking and disappointing," she states. "Newcomers have shaped the nation."

Reports have estimated that up to one hundred fifty thousand Korean immigrants lacking legal status, including adopted children, are among those who could be deported.

As an adult, she came to realise that the prejudice she had experienced when in her youth stemmed mainly from a knowledge gap, as people didn't know what it meant to be Korean or Asian.

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

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

"Perhaps this explains it became the season's hit film, because there was a need for some hope and a unifying element all together."

The advancement of artificial intelligence is a significant worry for the entertainment sector, raising the possibility that in coming years it could be used to produce a film like KPop Demon Hunters.

The actress says she is conscious that AI is already being used to replicate performers' vocals, but wants to "have hope in humanity" that audiences will still pursue human-made creativity.

"Sure, I'm sure there will be digital performers and singers. I know they're already here. I know our voices are already being altered, but I trust people have appreciation and desire for something real."

The film has also been leading the international music rankings, with seven tracks from its score featured on the prestigious charts. It has its own fan creations, and audiences globally are demanding a sequel.

She tells us 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 production company, which made the film, to give it the green light.

"I'm aware there's lots of murmurs, I've heard wonderful things," she says. "So we shall see, and I think everyone in the world would protest if there wasn't."

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