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"{I hated that I looked Asian, that I lacked blue eyes and blonde hair, because that's what was beautiful back then," reveals Arden Cho, who voiced Rumi in Netflix's chart-topping movie, the K-pop themed animation.

Cho, 40, recalls her childhood in the southern state, as the firstborn child of Korean immigrant parents and her struggle for acceptance 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 she first saw the screenplay, this struck a deep chord.

"Being born in America, feeling American but having others view me like a foreigner, trying to figure out my sense of self as an Korean-American, as a Asian-American, as a female," she explains.

These elements were components of her early life that paralleled the character's path.

"Truthfully, at various stages in my life, I despised many parts of me and I wanted to be a different person.

"As kids, what you see influences who you become and I feel like 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 two weeks, and secured the highest positions of the Netflix charts in 93 countries. To star in 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 Asian-American children, the type that was missing when she was young.

She says many individuals of Korean descent have expressed it's "such a refreshing moment", making them proud for the first time of their dual heritage and culture.

"I feel like Korean pop music has genuinely broken barriers. Korean cosmetics has had such a big impact on global appreciation for Korea. But I feel like this movie is the one that tipped it over the edge, of, inspiring travel to Korea, currently," she comments.

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's unfortunate to mention this, but any time there's an Asian-led project, people feel like it's a risk," she reveals.

So, when she took on the role, she took steps to meet everyone working on the film in person, she adds.

The film was launched amid increased immigration raids in the US as part of extensive removal policies, which triggered demonstrations in many states.

As an Asian-American living in the US "it's heartbreaking and disappointing," says Cho. "Immigrants have shaped the nation."

Reports have suggested that up to one hundred fifty thousand individuals from Korea without proper documentation, including adopted children, are among those who could be deported.

As an grown-up, she understood that the racism she had experienced when in her youth stemmed mainly from a knowledge gap, as many were unaware what it signified to be of Asian descent.

"But now, in this day and age, when it seems the world and people ought to be more informed, it's deeply disheartening and sometimes I feel like there's a sense of despair," she expresses.

Because of this, it's particularly meaningful, she says, 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 we just needed positivity 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 KPop Demon Hunters.

Cho says she is conscious that technology is already being used to replicate actors' voices, but aims to "maintain faith in people" that individuals will still pursue art created by humans.

"Sure, I believe there will be AI actors and singers. I know they're already here. I understand our voices are already being altered, but I trust people have appreciation and want and love for authentic creations."

The film 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 viewers around the world are calling for a follow-up.

She 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 approve the project.

"I'm aware there's lots of murmurs, the feedback is positive," she says. "Only time will tell, and I believe fans everywhere would protest if it didn't happen."

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