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This feature delves into extraordinary interviews and narratives from around the globe.

"{I disliked that I looked Asian, that I lacked light-colored eyes and fair hair, because those were the beauty standards at the time," says Arden Cho, who voiced the lead character in Netflix's highly successful movie, KPop Demon Hunters.

The performer, forty, is describing her childhood in the southern state, as the eldest daughter of Korean immigrant parents and her journey toward belonging in American society.

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

"Growing up in the US, feeling American but having people treat me like a foreigner, trying to figure out my sense of self as an Asian-American, as a Korean-American, as a female," she says.

These elements were aspects of her formative years that mirrored the character's path.

"I can honestly say, at various stages in my existence, I despised a lot of myself and I longed to become someone else.

"As kids, what you see influences your development and I feel like I just didn't see enough people that shared my appearance."

When it launched on Netflix in the summer, KPop Demon Hunters registered millions of streams in just two weeks, and secured the highest positions of the Netflix charts in dozens of nations. To be part of the pioneering animation set in Korea, with Asian protagonists, was for Cho "a dream come true" – but it has also made her a inspiring figure for young Asian-Americans, the type that she lacked when she was young.

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

"I feel like K-Pop really, truly, has paved the way. K-beauty has had a significant influence on Korea being loved. But I believe the film is the one that tipped it over the edge, of, inspiring travel to Korea, currently," Cho says.

But the movie's triumph was not guaranteed and Cho says she felt the team making it were "sometimes facing an uphill battle".

"It seems it kind of sucks to say this, but any time 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 face-to-face, she adds.

The film was launched amid 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," says Cho. "Immigrants have made America what it is."

Reports have suggested that up to one hundred fifty thousand individuals from Korea 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 in her youth stemmed mainly from a lack of education, as many were unaware what it signified to be Korean or Asian.

"But now, in this day and age, when it seems the world and people should know better, it is beyond disappointing and sometimes I feel like there's a sense of despair," she says.

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

"Maybe that's why it's sort of like the season's hit film, because there was a need for positivity and a unifying element all together."

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

Cho acknowledges she is conscious that AI is already being used to replicate actors' voices, but wants to "have hope in humanity" that individuals will still pursue art created by humans.

"Sure, I believe there will be AI actors and singers. I'm aware they're already here. I understand performers' voices are already being manipulated, but I trust people have some respect and want and love for something real."

The film has also been dominating the international music rankings, with multiple songs from its soundtrack featured on the Billboard Hot 100. It has its own fan art, and viewers around the world are demanding a follow-up.

Cho tells us she would like to confirm the inquiry 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 approve the project.

"I'm aware there's lots of murmurs, the feedback is positive," she shares. "So we shall see, and I think fans everywhere would riot if it didn't happen."

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