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This exclusive piece delves into extraordinary interviews and narratives from worldwide.

"{I disliked that I had Asian features, that I didn't have blue eyes and blonde hair, because that's what was beautiful at the time," reveals Arden Cho, who portrayed the lead character in the streaming platform's chart-topping movie, KPop Demon Hunters.

The performer, 40, is describing her childhood in Texas, as the firstborn child of parents who emigrated from Korea and her journey toward belonging in the United States.

In the movie, which tells the story of a girl group who must save the world 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, identifying as American but having people treat me like a foreigner, grappling with my identity as an Asian-American, as a Korean-American, as a female," she explains.

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

"I can honestly say, at various stages in my existence, I hated many parts of me and I wanted to be someone else.

"During childhood, your surroundings influences who you become and I feel like I lacked exposure to sufficient individuals that look like me."

When it debuted on the platform in the summer, the animated feature achieved 33 million views in just 14 days, and reached the highest positions of the streaming rankings in dozens of nations. To star in the first Hollywood animated film with a Korean setting, with Korean leads, was for Cho "an aspiration realized" – but it has also made her a inspiring figure for young Asian-Americans, the kind that was missing when in her youth.

Cho says many Korean-Americans have expressed it's "a breath of fresh air", making them proud for the first time of their dual heritage and cultural roots.

"I feel like K-Pop really, truly, has paved the way. Korean cosmetics has had such a big impact on Korea being loved. But I believe the film is the one that pushed it further, of, everybody wants to go to Korea, currently," she comments.

But the film's success was not guaranteed and the actress says she felt the team making it were "occasionally struggling against odds".

"I feel like it kind of sucks to mention this, but whenever there's an production with Asian leads, people feel like it's a risk," she says.

So, when she took on the role, she made an effort to connect with the entire cast and crew face-to-face, she says.

The movie was released amid heightened enforcement actions in the US as part of mass deportation efforts, which sparked protests in many states.

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

Reports have suggested that up to 150,000 Korean immigrants without proper documentation, including those who were adopted, are among those who could be removed.

As an adult, Cho came to realise that the racism she had encountered when she was younger was largely due to a lack of education, as many were unaware what it signified to be of Asian descent.

"However today, in this day and age, when I feel like the society and individuals ought to be more informed, it's deeply disheartening and sometimes I feel like there's a sense of despair," she says.

Due to this, it feels very special, she says, that the film could bring "hope and joy and love to all these different communities".

"Perhaps this explains it's sort of like the season's hit film, because we just needed positivity and something to unite us as one."

The advancement of artificial intelligence is a major concern for the film industry, raising the possibility that in coming years it could be used to make a film like the animation.

The actress says she is aware that AI is already being used to copy performers' vocals, but aims to "maintain faith in people" that audiences will still pursue art created by humans.

"Certainly, I believe 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 something real."

The film has also been leading the global music charts, with multiple songs from its soundtrack featured on the Billboard Hot 100. It has its own fan creations, and viewers around the world are calling for a sequel.

Cho tells us she wishes she could answer the question of if a sequel is planned – but both she and fans will have to wait for the platform or the studio, 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 fans everywhere would protest if it didn't happen."

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