🔗 Share this article

This feature explores remarkable conversations and narratives from around the globe.

"{I disliked that I looked Asian, that I didn't have blue eyes and fair hair, because that's what was beautiful at the time," reveals Arden Cho, who voiced the lead character in Netflix's highly successful movie, the K-pop themed animation.

Cho, forty, recalls her early years in Texas, as the eldest daughter of parents who emigrated from Korea and her struggle for acceptance in American society.

In the movie, which narrates the tale of a girl group who must save the world from dark powers, Rumi has to come to terms with her true nature as part human, part demon – and when she first read the script, this resonated powerfully.

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

These elements were aspects of her early life that mirrored the character's path.

"I can honestly say, 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 your development and I feel like I lacked exposure to sufficient individuals that look like me."

When it debuted on the platform in June, KPop Demon Hunters achieved 33 million views in just two weeks, and secured the highest positions of the Netflix charts in dozens of nations. To star in the first Hollywood animated film with a Korean setting, with Korean leads, was for her "a dream come true" – but it has also established her as a inspiring figure for Asian-American children, the type that she lacked when in her youth.

Cho says many individuals of Korean descent have told her it's "a breath of fresh air", making them proud for the first time of their mixed background and culture.

"I feel like Korean pop music really, truly, has paved the way. Korean cosmetics has had a significant influence on global appreciation for Korea. But I feel like the film is the one that pushed it further, of, everybody wants to go to Korea, currently," Cho says.

But the film's success was uncertain and the actress admits she felt the production crew were "occasionally struggling against odds".

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

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

The movie was released against the backdrop of increased immigration raids in the United States as part of mass deportation efforts, which triggered demonstrations in many states.

As an Asian-American residing in America "it's deeply saddening," says Cho. "Newcomers have shaped the nation."

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

As an grown-up, Cho came to realise that the prejudice she had experienced when she was younger stemmed mainly from a knowledge gap, as people didn't know what it meant to be of Asian descent.

"But now, in this day and age, when it seems the society and individuals ought to be more informed, it's deeply disheartening and at times it appears there's a sense of despair," she says.

Due to this, it's particularly meaningful, she says, that the film could bring "hope and joy and love to various groups".

"Perhaps this explains it's sort of like the season's hit film, because we just needed some hope and something to unite us all together."

The advancement of artificial intelligence is a significant worry for the entertainment sector, creating the potential that in coming years it could be used to make a movie like KPop Demon Hunters.

Cho says she is aware that technology is already being used to copy performers' vocals, but wants to "maintain faith in people" that individuals will still seek out art created by humans.

"Certainly, I'm sure there will be digital performers and singers. I'm aware they're already here. I understand our voices are already being manipulated, but I trust the public have appreciation and desire for authentic creations."

KPop Demon Hunters has also been dominating the international music rankings, with multiple songs from its score appearing in the prestigious charts. It has its own fan art, and viewers globally are calling for a sequel.

She tells us she wishes she could answer the inquiry of if a sequel is planned – but both she and fans will have to wait for the platform or the production company, which produced the movie, to approve the project.

"I'm aware rumors are circulating, the feedback is positive," she says. "Only time will tell, and I believe everyone in the world would protest if there wasn't."

• Starting conversations, fostering relationships and challenging misinformation through articles, in-depth reports, conversations and remarkable accounts