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

"{I disliked that I had Asian features, that I didn't have blue eyes and blonde hair, because those were the beauty standards back then," says Arden Cho, who voiced the lead character in the streaming platform's chart-topping animated film, the K-pop themed animation.

Cho, 40, is describing her childhood in Texas, 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 female K-Pop trio who must rescue humanity from dark powers, the protagonist has to accept her identity as part human, part demon – and when she first read the script, this resonated powerfully.

"Being born in America, identifying as American but having people treat me like I'm not, grappling with my sense of self as an Asian-American, as a Asian-American, as a female," she says.

These were all aspects of her early life that paralleled the character's path.

"Truthfully, at different points in my existence, I despised a lot of myself and I longed to become a different person.

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

When it debuted on the platform in June, the animated feature achieved 33 million views in just 14 days, and secured the top 10 of the Netflix charts in 93 countries. To be part of the first Hollywood animated film set in Korea, with Asian protagonists, was for Cho "a dream come true" – but it has also established her as a powerful role model for young Asian-Americans, the kind that was missing when she was young.

Cho says many individuals of Korean descent have told her it's "a breath of fresh air", making them feel pride for the first instance of their dual heritage and cultural roots.

"I feel like Korean pop music has genuinely broken barriers. K-beauty 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," she comments.

But the film's success was uncertain and Cho admits she felt the team making it were "sometimes facing an uphill battle".

"I feel like it's unfortunate to say this, but any time there's an production with Asian leads, people feel like it's a risk," she says.

So, when she accepted the part, she took steps to meet the entire cast and crew in person, she adds.

The film was released amid heightened enforcement actions in the United States 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. "Newcomers have made America what it is."

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 deported.

As an adult, she understood that the racism she had experienced when in her youth was largely due to a knowledge gap, as many were unaware what it signified to be of Asian descent.

"However today, in the modern era, when it seems the society and people ought to be more informed, it is beyond disappointing and at times I feel like we feel so hopeless," she expresses.

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 we just needed positivity and something to unite us all together."

The growth of AI is a significant worry for the entertainment sector, creating the potential that in future it could be used to produce a movie like KPop Demon Hunters.

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

"Sure, I believe they're going to have digital performers and singers. I'm aware they already exist. I understand performers' voices are already being manipulated, but I trust people have appreciation and want and love for authentic creations."

The film has also been leading the global music charts, with multiple songs from its soundtrack featured on the prestigious charts. It has its own fan creations, and audiences globally are calling for a sequel.

Cho reveals she would like to confirm the question of whether that will happen – but both everyone involved will have to await the platform or the production company, which made the film, to give it the green light.

"I know there's lots of murmurs, I've heard wonderful things," she says. "Only time will tell, and I think everyone in the world would protest if there wasn't."

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