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

"{I disliked that I looked Asian, that I lacked blue eyes and fair hair, because that's what was beautiful at the time," reveals Arden Cho, who portrayed the lead character in Netflix's highly successful animated film, KPop Demon Hunters.

Cho, 40, is describing her early years in Texas, 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 female K-Pop trio who must rescue humanity from dark powers, Rumi has to accept her true nature as a hybrid being – and when she first read the script, this resonated powerfully.

"Being born in America, feeling American but having others view me like I'm not, grappling with my sense of self as an Korean-American, as a Korean-American, as a woman," she says.

These were all aspects of her formative years that paralleled Rumi's journey.

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

"During childhood, what you see shapes who you become and I feel like I lacked exposure to enough people that shared my appearance."

When it launched on Netflix in the summer, the animated feature registered 33 million views in just 14 days, and reached the top 10 of the streaming rankings in 93 countries. To star in the pioneering animation with a Korean setting, with Korean leads, was for Cho "an aspiration realized" – but it has also made her a inspiring figure for young Asian-Americans, the type that was missing when in her youth.

Cho notes many individuals of Korean descent have told her it's "such a refreshing moment", making them proud for the first instance of their dual heritage and cultural roots.

"In my view Korean pop music has genuinely broken barriers. Korean cosmetics has had such a big impact on Korea being loved. But I feel like this movie is the one that tipped it over the edge, of, everybody wants to go to Korea, currently," Cho says.

But the movie's triumph was uncertain and the actress 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 production with Asian leads, it's perceived like a gamble," she reveals.

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

The movie was launched against the backdrop of increased immigration raids in the US as part of extensive removal policies, which sparked protests in numerous regions.

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

Reports have suggested that up to 150,000 individuals from Korea lacking legal status, including adopted children, are among those who could be deported.

As an grown-up, Cho came to realise that the racism she had experienced when she was younger stemmed mainly from a knowledge gap, as people didn't know what it signified to be of Asian descent.

"But now, in the modern era, when I feel like the society and people ought to be more informed, it's deeply disheartening and sometimes I feel like we feel so hopeless," she expresses.

Due to this, it feels very special, she notes, that KPop Demon Hunters could bring "hope and joy and love to all these different communities".

"Perhaps this explains it's sort of like the season's hit film, because there was a need for some hope and something to unite us as one."

The advancement of artificial intelligence is a significant worry for the film industry, creating the potential that in coming years it could be used to produce a film like the animation.

Cho acknowledges she is aware that technology is already being used to replicate performers' vocals, but aims to "have hope in humanity" that individuals will still seek out human-made creativity.

"Sure, I'm sure they're going to have digital performers and singers. I know they're already here. I know our voices are already being altered, but I trust the public have appreciation and want and love for authentic creations."

KPop Demon Hunters has also been dominating the international music rankings, with seven tracks from its score appearing in the prestigious charts. It has its own fan creations, and audiences around the world are calling for a follow-up.

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 streaming service or the studio, which produced the movie, to give it the green light.

"I'm aware there's lots of murmurs, the feedback is positive," she shares. "Only time will tell, and I believe everyone in the world would riot if it didn't happen."

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