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

"{I hated that I looked Asian, that I lacked light-colored eyes and blonde hair, because those were the beauty standards back then," says Arden Cho, who portrayed Rumi in Netflix's highly successful movie, KPop Demon Hunters.

The performer, 40, recalls her early years in Texas, as the firstborn child of Korean immigrant parents 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, Rumi has to come to terms with her identity as a hybrid being – and when she first read the script, this struck a deep chord.

"Growing up in the US, feeling American but having people treat me like a foreigner, grappling with my sense of self as an Korean-American, as a Asian-American, as a female," she explains.

These elements were components of her early life that mirrored Rumi's journey.

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

"As kids, your surroundings shapes your development and it seems I lacked exposure to enough people that look like me."

When it debuted on the platform in the summer, KPop Demon Hunters registered millions of streams in just 14 days, and secured the top 10 of the streaming rankings in dozens of nations. To star in the pioneering animation set in Korea, with Asian protagonists, was for Cho "an aspiration realized" – but it has also made her a inspiring figure for Asian-American children, the kind that was missing when she was young.

She says many Korean-Americans have expressed it's "such a refreshing moment", making them feel pride for the first time of their mixed background and cultural roots.

"I feel like Korean pop music really, truly, has paved the way. Korean cosmetics has had a significant influence on Korea being loved. But I believe the film is the one that pushed it further, of, inspiring travel to Korea, currently," Cho says.

But the movie's triumph was not guaranteed and Cho admits she felt the production crew were "occasionally struggling against odds".

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

So, when she accepted the part, she took steps to meet the entire cast and crew in person, she adds.

The film was released amid increased immigration raids in the US as part of mass deportation efforts, which sparked protests in numerous regions.

As an person of Asian descent residing in America "it's heartbreaking and disappointing," says Cho. "Newcomers have shaped the nation."

Reports have estimated that up to 150,000 Korean immigrants lacking legal status, including those who were adopted, are among those who could be deported.

As an adult, Cho came to realise that the racism she had encountered when she was younger stemmed mainly from a knowledge gap, as many were unaware what it meant to be of Asian descent.

"However today, in this day and age, when it seems the society and individuals ought to be more informed, it's deeply disheartening and sometimes I feel like there's a sense of despair," she expresses.

Because of 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 the season's hit film, because we just needed positivity and a unifying element all together."

The advancement of artificial intelligence is a significant worry for the film industry, raising the possibility that in coming years it could be used to make a movie like the animation.

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

"Sure, I'm sure they're going to have digital performers and vocalists. I'm aware they're already here. I know our voices are already being manipulated, but I hope people have appreciation and desire for authentic creations."

KPop Demon Hunters has also been leading the global music charts, with multiple songs from its soundtrack featured on the Billboard Hot 100. It has its own fan creations, and audiences around the world are calling for a follow-up.

She tells us she wishes she could answer the inquiry of if a sequel is planned – but both she and fans will have to await the platform or the studio, which produced the movie, to approve the project.

"I know rumors are circulating, I've heard wonderful things," she shares. "Only time will tell, and I believe fans everywhere would protest if it didn't happen."

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