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This exclusive piece explores extraordinary interviews and stories from around the globe.

"{I disliked that I looked Asian, that I lacked light-colored 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 highly successful movie, KPop Demon Hunters.

Cho, forty, is describing her childhood in Texas, as the eldest daughter of parents who emigrated from Korea and her journey toward belonging in American society.

In the film, which tells the story of a female K-Pop trio who must save the world from evil forces, Rumi has to accept her true nature as a hybrid being – and when she first saw the screenplay, this resonated powerfully.

"Being born in America, feeling American but having others view me like I'm not, grappling with my sense of self as an Asian-American, as a Asian-American, as a female," she explains.

These elements were aspects of her early life that paralleled Rumi's journey.

"Truthfully, at different points in my existence, I despised many parts of me and I longed to become a different person.

"During childhood, what you see influences who you become and it seems I just didn't see enough people that look like me."

When it launched on Netflix in June, KPop Demon Hunters achieved 33 million views in just 14 days, and secured the top 10 of the Netflix charts in dozens of nations. To star in the pioneering animation set in Korea, with Asian protagonists, was for her "an aspiration realized" – but it has also established her as a powerful role model for Asian-American children, the kind that she lacked when she was young.

She notes many individuals of Korean descent have expressed it's "such a refreshing moment", making them feel pride for the first instance of their dual heritage and cultural roots.

"I feel like Korean pop music really, truly, has paved the way. K-beauty has had a significant influence on Korea being loved. But I feel like the film is the one that pushed it further, of, everybody wants to go to Korea, currently," she comments.

But the movie's triumph was not guaranteed and Cho admits she felt the team making it were "occasionally struggling against odds".

"I feel like it kind of sucks to say this, but whenever there's an production with Asian leads, it's perceived like a gamble," she reveals.

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

The movie was released amid increased immigration raids in the US as part of mass deportation efforts, which triggered demonstrations in numerous regions.

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

Korean news sources have suggested that up to one hundred fifty thousand Korean immigrants without proper documentation, including adopted children, are among those who could be deported.

As an adult, she came to realise that the prejudice she had encountered 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 this day and age, when it seems the society and individuals ought to be more informed, it's deeply disheartening and at times I feel like there's a sense of despair," she expresses.

Due to this, it feels very special, she says, that the film could bring "optimism and happiness to various groups".

"Perhaps this explains it became this movie of the summer, because there was a need for some hope and something to unite us as one."

The advancement of artificial intelligence is a major concern for the entertainment sector, creating the potential that in future it could be used to make a film like KPop Demon Hunters.

The actress says she is aware that AI is already being used to replicate performers' vocals, but wants to "have hope in humanity" that audiences will still seek out human-made creativity.

"Certainly, I'm sure there will be AI actors and singers. I'm aware they already exist. I understand our voices are already being altered, but I hope people have appreciation and want and love for something real."

KPop Demon Hunters has also been leading the global music charts, with seven tracks from its score featured on the prestigious charts. It has its own fan art, and viewers globally are demanding a follow-up.

Cho reveals she would like to confirm 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 made the film, to approve the project.

"I know rumors are circulating, the feedback is positive," she says. "So we shall see, and I believe everyone in the world would riot if it didn't happen."

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