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"{I hated that I had Asian features, that I didn't have light-colored eyes and fair hair, because that's what was beautiful back then," says Arden Cho, who portrayed Rumi in the streaming platform's chart-topping movie, KPop Demon Hunters.

Cho, 40, recalls her early years in Texas, as the firstborn child of Korean immigrant parents and her journey toward belonging in American society.

In the movie, which narrates the tale of a girl group who must rescue humanity from evil forces, the protagonist has to come to terms with her true nature as a hybrid being – and when Cho first saw the screenplay, this resonated powerfully.

"Being born in America, feeling American but having others view me like a foreigner, grappling with my identity as an Asian-American, as a Asian-American, as a woman," she says.

These were all aspects of her formative years that paralleled the character's path.

"I can honestly say, at different points in my existence, I hated many parts of me and I longed to become someone else.

"During childhood, your surroundings influences your development and it seems I just didn't see sufficient individuals that shared my appearance."

When it launched on Netflix in the summer, the animated feature registered millions of streams in just two weeks, and secured the top 10 of the streaming rankings in 93 countries. To be part of the pioneering animation with a Korean setting, with Korean leads, was for her "an aspiration realized" – but it has also made her a inspiring figure for Asian-American children, the kind that she lacked when in her youth.

Cho notes many individuals of Korean descent have expressed it's "such a refreshing moment", making them proud for the first instance of their mixed background and culture.

"In my view K-Pop really, truly, has paved the way. K-beauty has had a significant influence on Korea being loved. But I believe this movie is the one that pushed it further, of, inspiring travel to Korea, now," Cho says.

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

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

So, when she accepted the part, she made an effort to meet everyone working on the film in person, she says.

The film was released amid heightened enforcement actions in the US as part of mass deportation efforts, which sparked protests in numerous regions.

As an Asian-American residing in America "it's deeply saddening," says Cho. "Immigrants have made America what it is."

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

As an grown-up, she came to realise that the prejudice she had experienced when she was younger was largely due to a knowledge gap, as people didn't know what it meant to be Korean or Asian.

"However today, in this day and age, when I feel like the world and individuals should know better, it is beyond disappointing and at times it appears there's a sense of despair," she says.

Due to this, it's particularly meaningful, she notes, that the film could bring "optimism and happiness to various groups".

"Perhaps this explains it's sort of like the season's hit film, because there was a need for some hope and a unifying element all together."

The growth of AI is a major concern for the film industry, creating the potential that in future it could be used to make a movie like the animation.

Cho says she is conscious that technology is already being used to copy actors' voices, but wants to "have hope in humanity" that individuals will still seek out human-made creativity.

"Certainly, I believe they're going to have AI actors and vocalists. I'm aware they're already here. I know our voices are already being manipulated, but I hope the public have some respect and want and love for authentic creations."

KPop Demon Hunters has also been dominating the international music rankings, with multiple songs from its soundtrack featured on the prestigious charts. It has its own fan creations, and viewers globally are calling for a follow-up.

Cho tells us she wishes she could answer the inquiry of whether that will happen – but both she and fans will have to await the platform or the studio, which made the film, to give it the green light.

"I'm aware rumors are circulating, I've heard wonderful things," she shares. "So we shall see, and I believe everyone in the world would protest if it didn't happen."

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