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

"{I disliked that I looked Asian, that I lacked light-colored eyes and blonde hair, because that's what was beautiful back then," says Arden Cho, who portrayed the lead character in Netflix's highly successful movie, KPop Demon Hunters.

The performer, forty, recalls her early years 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 female K-Pop trio who must rescue humanity from dark powers, the protagonist has to come to terms with her true nature as a hybrid being – and when she first read the script, this resonated powerfully.

"Being born in America, identifying as American but having people treat me like a foreigner, trying to figure out my identity as an Korean-American, as a Asian-American, as a female," she explains.

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

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

"As kids, your surroundings influences your development and I feel like I lacked exposure to sufficient individuals that look like me."

When it launched on Netflix in the summer, KPop Demon Hunters achieved millions of streams in just 14 days, and reached the top 10 of the Netflix charts in 93 countries. To be part of the pioneering animation with a Korean setting, with Asian protagonists, was for Cho "a dream come true" – but it has also made her a powerful role model for Asian-American children, the type that she lacked when she was young.

Cho notes many Korean-Americans have expressed it's "a breath of fresh air", making them proud for the first time of their mixed background and culture.

"In my view K-Pop really, truly, has paved the way. Korean cosmetics has had a significant influence on Korea being loved. But I feel like this movie is the one that pushed it further, of, everybody wants to go to Korea, currently," she comments.

But the film's success was not guaranteed and the actress admits she felt the production crew were "occasionally struggling against odds".

"It seems it kind of sucks to mention this, but whenever there's an Asian-led project, it's perceived like it's a risk," she reveals.

So, when she accepted the part, she took steps to connect with everyone working on the film face-to-face, she adds.

The movie was released against the backdrop of increased immigration raids in the US as part of extensive removal policies, which sparked protests in many states.

As an person of Asian descent living in the US "it's deeply saddening," she states. "Newcomers have shaped the nation."

Reports have estimated that up to 150,000 individuals from Korea lacking legal status, including those who were adopted, are among those who could be removed.

As an adult, she understood that the racism she had experienced when she was younger stemmed mainly from a knowledge gap, as many were unaware what it meant to be Korean or Asian.

"But now, in the modern era, when it seems the society and people ought to be more informed, it is beyond disappointing and sometimes I feel like there's a sense of despair," she says.

Due to this, it's particularly meaningful, she notes, that KPop Demon Hunters could bring "hope and joy and love to various groups".

"Perhaps this explains it became the season's hit film, because there was a need for positivity and something to unite us all together."

The advancement of artificial intelligence is a major concern for the entertainment sector, raising the possibility that in future it could be used to produce a movie like KPop Demon Hunters.

Cho says she is conscious that AI is already being used to replicate actors' voices, but aims to "have hope in humanity" that audiences will still seek out art created by humans.

"Sure, I believe there will be AI actors and vocalists. I'm aware they already exist. I know performers' voices are already being altered, but I hope people have appreciation and want and love for something real."

KPop Demon Hunters has also been leading the international music rankings, with seven tracks from its soundtrack appearing in the prestigious charts. It has its own fan creations, and audiences globally are calling for a sequel.

Cho tells us she would like to confirm the question of if a sequel is planned – but both everyone involved 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, the feedback is positive," she shares. "Only time will tell, and I think everyone in the world would protest if it didn't happen."

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