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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 didn't have blue eyes and blonde hair, because that's what was beautiful at the time," says Arden Cho, who portrayed Rumi in Netflix's chart-topping movie, KPop Demon Hunters.

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

In the movie, which narrates the tale of a girl group who must save the world from evil forces, Rumi has to come to terms with her true nature as a hybrid being – and when Cho first read the script, this struck a deep chord.

"Being born in America, 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 woman," she says.

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

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

"As kids, what you see influences your development and it seems I lacked exposure to enough people that shared my appearance."

When it debuted on the platform in June, the animated feature registered 33 million views in just 14 days, and secured the top 10 of the streaming rankings in dozens of nations. To star in the pioneering animation with a Korean setting, with Korean leads, was for Cho "a dream come true" – but it has also established her as a powerful role model for Asian-American children, the type that was missing when in her youth.

She notes many Korean-Americans have expressed it's "such a refreshing moment", making them proud for the first time of their dual heritage and cultural roots.

"In my view K-Pop really, truly, has paved the way. Korean cosmetics has had a significant influence on global appreciation for Korea. But I feel like the film is the one that tipped it over the edge, of, inspiring travel to Korea, now," Cho says.

But the movie's triumph was not guaranteed and the actress admits she felt the team making it were "occasionally struggling against odds".

"I feel like it kind of sucks to mention this, but any time there's an production with Asian leads, people feel like it's a risk," she reveals.

So, when she accepted the part, she took steps to meet everyone working on the film in person, she says.

The movie was launched amid increased immigration raids in the US as part of mass deportation efforts, which triggered demonstrations in numerous regions.

As an Asian-American residing in America "it's deeply saddening," says Cho. "Newcomers have shaped the nation."

Korean news sources 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 grown-up, she came to realise that the racism she had encountered when in her youth stemmed mainly from a knowledge gap, as many were unaware what it meant to be Korean or Asian.

"However today, in the modern era, when I feel like the society and people should know better, it is beyond disappointing and at times it appears there's a sense of despair," 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 became this movie of the summer, because there was a need for positivity and something to unite us all together."

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

Cho says she is aware that AI is already being used to replicate actors' voices, but aims to "have hope in humanity" that audiences will still seek out human-made creativity.

"Certainly, I believe they're going to have digital performers and vocalists. I know they already exist. I know performers' voices are already being altered, but I hope the public have appreciation and want and love for something real."

The film has also been leading the international music rankings, with seven tracks from its soundtrack featured on the prestigious charts. It has its own fan art, and viewers around the world are calling for 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 produced the movie, to give it the green light.

"I know there's lots of murmurs, I've heard wonderful things," she says. "Only time will tell, and I believe fans everywhere would riot if there wasn't."

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