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This exclusive piece explores remarkable conversations and stories from around the globe.

"{I hated that I had Asian features, that I didn't have light-colored eyes and fair hair, because those were the beauty standards at the time," says Arden Cho, who portrayed Rumi in Netflix's highly successful movie, the K-pop themed animation.

Cho, 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 girl group who must save the world from evil forces, the protagonist has to accept her identity as part human, part demon – and when she first saw the screenplay, this struck a deep chord.

"Growing up in the US, identifying as 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 components of her formative years that paralleled the character's path.

"Truthfully, at various stages in my life, I despised many parts of me and I wanted to be someone else.

"During childhood, your surroundings shapes who you become and it seems I just didn't see 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 top 10 of the streaming rankings in dozens of nations. To star in the first Hollywood animated film with a Korean setting, with Korean leads, was for Cho "a dream come true" – but it has also made her a inspiring figure for young Asian-Americans, the kind that she lacked when she was young.

Cho says many Korean-Americans have told her it's "a breath of fresh air", making them proud for the first instance 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 this movie is the one that pushed it further, of, everybody wants to go to Korea, now," Cho says.

But the film's success was uncertain and Cho admits she felt the production crew were "sometimes facing an uphill battle".

"I feel like it's unfortunate to say this, but whenever 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 connect with everyone working on the film face-to-face, she says.

The film was launched against the backdrop of increased immigration raids in the United States as part of mass deportation efforts, which triggered demonstrations in numerous regions.

As an person of Asian descent living in the US "it's heartbreaking and disappointing," says Cho. "Newcomers have made America what it is."

Reports have estimated that up to 150,000 Korean immigrants without proper documentation, including adopted children, are among those who could be deported.

As an grown-up, she understood that the prejudice she had experienced when in her youth stemmed mainly from a lack of education, as people didn't know what it meant to be Korean or Asian.

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

Due to this, it feels very special, she says, 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 we just needed positivity and a unifying element as one."

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

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

"Certainly, I believe they're going to have AI actors and vocalists. I know they already exist. I know performers' voices are already being manipulated, but I trust the public have some respect and want and love for something real."

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

Cho reveals she would like to confirm the question of if a sequel is planned – but both everyone involved will have to wait for the streaming service or the studio, which produced the movie, to give it the green light.

"I'm aware rumors are circulating, the feedback is positive," she says. "Only time will tell, and I think everyone in the world would riot if it didn't happen."

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