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"{I disliked that I looked Asian, that I lacked light-colored eyes and fair hair, because those were the beauty standards back then," reveals Arden Cho, who portrayed Rumi 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 firstborn child of Korean immigrant parents and her struggle for acceptance in the United States.

In the film, which narrates the tale of a girl group who must save the world from dark powers, Rumi has to accept her true nature as part human, part demon – and when she first read the script, this struck a deep chord.

"Growing up in the US, feeling American but having others view me like I'm not, trying to figure out my identity as an Korean-American, as a Korean-American, as a female," she says.

These elements were components of her formative years that paralleled the character's path.

"I can honestly say, at different points in my existence, I despised many parts of me and I wanted to be a different person.

"As kids, what you see shapes your development and I feel like I lacked exposure to enough people that shared my appearance."

When it launched on Netflix in June, the animated feature registered millions of streams in just 14 days, and reached the highest positions of the Netflix charts in 93 countries. To star in the pioneering animation set in Korea, with Korean leads, was for her "an aspiration realized" – but it has also made her a powerful role model for Asian-American children, the type that was missing when in her youth.

She says many individuals of Korean descent have expressed it's "such a refreshing moment", making them proud for the first instance of their mixed background and culture.

"I feel like K-Pop really, truly, has paved the way. Korean cosmetics has had a significant influence on global appreciation for Korea. But I feel like this movie 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 Cho admits she felt the production crew were "occasionally struggling against odds".

"I feel like it kind of sucks to say this, but any time there's an Asian-led project, it's perceived like it's a risk," she says.

So, when she took on the role, she made an effort to meet the entire cast and crew in person, she adds.

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

As an Asian-American residing in America "it's heartbreaking and disappointing," she states. "Immigrants have shaped the nation."

Reports have suggested that up to one hundred fifty thousand Korean immigrants without proper documentation, including adopted children, are among those who could be deported.

As an adult, she came to realise that the racism she had experienced when in her youth stemmed mainly from a lack of education, as many were unaware what it meant to be of Asian descent.

"But now, in this day and age, when I feel like the society and people should know better, it's deeply disheartening and at times I feel like we feel so hopeless," she says.

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

"Perhaps this explains it's sort of like this movie of the summer, because there was a need for positivity and something to unite us all together."

The advancement of artificial intelligence is a significant worry for the entertainment sector, raising the possibility that in future it could be used to make a movie like the animation.

The actress acknowledges she is conscious that technology is already being used to copy actors' voices, but aims to "have hope in humanity" that individuals will still pursue art created by humans.

"Certainly, I believe there will be digital performers and singers. I know they're already here. I understand our voices are already being manipulated, but I hope the public have some respect and desire for authentic creations."

KPop Demon Hunters has also been leading the international music rankings, with seven tracks from its soundtrack featured on the Billboard Hot 100. It has its own fan art, and viewers around the world are demanding a sequel.

Cho tells us she would like to confirm the inquiry of if a sequel is planned – but both everyone involved will have to await the platform or the studio, which produced the movie, to give it the green light.

"I know rumors are circulating, the feedback is positive," she says. "So we shall see, and I believe fans everywhere would riot if it didn't happen."

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