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

"{I disliked that I had Asian features, that I lacked light-colored eyes and fair hair, because that's what was beautiful at the time," says Arden Cho, who portrayed Rumi in Netflix's highly successful animated film, KPop Demon Hunters.

Cho, 40, is describing her childhood in the southern state, as the firstborn child of Korean immigrant parents and her struggle for acceptance in American society.

In the film, which narrates the tale of a girl group who must rescue humanity 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, feeling American but having people treat me like a foreigner, trying to figure out my identity as an Asian-American, as a Asian-American, as a woman," she says.

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

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

"As kids, what you see shapes your development and it seems I lacked exposure to enough people that look like me."

When it launched on Netflix in the summer, KPop Demon Hunters achieved 33 million views in just two weeks, and reached the top 10 of the Netflix charts in 93 countries. To star in the pioneering animation with a Korean setting, with Asian protagonists, 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 Korean-Americans have expressed it's "a breath of fresh air", making them proud for the first instance of their mixed background and culture.

"In my view K-Pop really, truly, has paved the way. Korean cosmetics has had such a big impact on global appreciation for Korea. But I believe the film is the one that pushed it further, of, inspiring travel to Korea, currently," she comments.

But the movie's triumph was uncertain and Cho says she felt the team making it were "sometimes facing an uphill battle".

"I feel like it kind of sucks to say this, but any time there's an Asian-led project, people feel like a gamble," she says.

So, when she took on the role, she took steps to meet the entire cast and crew in person, she says.

The movie was launched amid heightened enforcement actions in the US as part of extensive removal policies, which triggered demonstrations in many states.

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

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

As an adult, she understood that the prejudice she had encountered 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 the modern era, when it seems the world and people should know better, it is beyond disappointing and at times it appears we feel so hopeless," she says.

Due to this, it's particularly meaningful, she notes, 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 there was a need for positivity 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 the animation.

The actress says she is aware that AI is already being used to replicate actors' voices, but aims to "have hope in humanity" that individuals will still seek out art created by humans.

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

The film has also been leading the global music charts, with seven tracks from its score featured on the Billboard Hot 100. It has its own fan art, and viewers around the world are demanding a follow-up.

Cho tells us she wishes she could answer the inquiry of whether that will happen – but both she and fans will have to wait for the platform or the production company, which made the film, to give it the green light.

"I'm aware rumors are circulating, the feedback is positive," she shares. "So we shall see, and I think everyone in the world would protest if it didn't happen."

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