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

"{I disliked that I had Asian features, that I didn't have light-colored eyes and fair hair, because that's what was beautiful back then," reveals Arden Cho, who portrayed Rumi in Netflix's chart-topping animated film, the K-pop themed animation.

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

In the film, which narrates the tale of a female K-Pop trio who must rescue humanity from evil forces, Rumi 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 people treat me like I'm not, trying to figure out my sense of self as an Asian-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 different points in my life, I hated a lot of myself and I longed to become someone else.

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

When it launched on Netflix in June, KPop Demon Hunters registered millions of streams in just two weeks, and reached the highest positions of the streaming rankings in 93 countries. To be part of the pioneering animation with a Korean setting, with Asian protagonists, was for Cho "a dream come true" – but it has also made her a powerful role model for Asian-American children, the type that was missing when she was young.

Cho notes many Korean-Americans have told her it's "such a refreshing moment", making them proud for the first time of their dual heritage and culture.

"I feel like K-Pop has genuinely broken barriers. K-beauty has had such a big impact on Korea being loved. But I believe the film is the one that pushed it further, of, inspiring travel to Korea, now," Cho says.

But the film's success was not guaranteed and Cho says she felt the team making it were "occasionally struggling against odds".

"I feel like it kind of sucks to mention this, but whenever there's an Asian-led project, people feel like a gamble," she says.

So, when she took on the role, she made an effort to connect with everyone working on the film in person, she says.

The movie was released against the backdrop of heightened enforcement actions in the United States as part of mass deportation efforts, which sparked protests in many states.

As an person of Asian descent living in the US "it's deeply saddening," says Cho. "Newcomers have shaped the nation."

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

As an adult, Cho understood that the racism she had experienced when in her youth stemmed mainly from a lack of education, as people didn't know what it meant to be of Asian descent.

"However today, in the modern era, when it seems the world and individuals should know better, it is beyond disappointing and sometimes I feel like there's a sense of despair," she expresses.

Due to this, it's particularly meaningful, she says, that KPop Demon Hunters could bring "optimism and happiness to all these different communities".

"Perhaps this explains it became the season's hit film, because we just needed some hope and something to unite us as one."

The advancement of artificial intelligence is a major concern for the entertainment sector, raising the possibility that in coming years it could be used to produce a film like the animation.

Cho acknowledges she is aware that AI is already being used to replicate performers' vocals, but aims to "have hope in humanity" that audiences will still seek out 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 manipulated, but I hope people have some respect and desire for authentic creations."

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

Cho tells us 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 studio, which produced the movie, to approve the project.

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

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