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"{I disliked that I looked Asian, that I lacked light-colored eyes and blonde hair, because that's what was beautiful back then," says Arden Cho, who voiced Rumi in the streaming platform's chart-topping movie, the K-pop themed animation.

The performer, forty, recalls her childhood in the southern state, 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 Cho first saw the screenplay, this resonated powerfully.

"Being born in America, identifying as American but having others view me like a foreigner, trying to figure out my identity as an Korean-American, as a Korean-American, as a female," she says.

These were all aspects of her formative years that mirrored the character's path.

"Truthfully, at different points in my existence, I hated many parts of me and I wanted to be someone else.

"As kids, your surroundings influences who you become and it seems I lacked exposure to enough people that look like me."

When it debuted on the platform in the summer, the animated feature registered millions of streams in just 14 days, and reached the top 10 of the Netflix charts in dozens of nations. To star in the first Hollywood animated film set in Korea, with Korean leads, was for her "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 in her youth.

Cho notes many individuals of Korean descent have expressed it's "such a refreshing moment", making them proud for the first time of their mixed background and culture.

"In my view 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 this movie is the one that tipped it over the edge, of, inspiring travel to Korea, currently," she comments.

But the film's success was uncertain and Cho says she felt the team making it were "occasionally struggling against odds".

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

So, when she accepted the part, she took steps to connect with everyone working on the film face-to-face, she adds.

The movie was launched amid increased immigration raids in the US as part of mass deportation efforts, which triggered demonstrations in many states.

As an person of Asian descent residing in America "it's heartbreaking and disappointing," says Cho. "Newcomers have made America what it is."

Korean news sources have estimated that up to 150,000 Korean immigrants without proper documentation, including those who were adopted, are among those who could be deported.

As an grown-up, she understood that the racism she had encountered when she was younger was largely due to a knowledge gap, as people didn't know what it signified to be of Asian descent.

"But now, in the modern era, 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 expresses.

Due to this, it's particularly meaningful, she notes, that the film could bring "optimism and happiness to all these different communities".

"Maybe that's why it became the season's hit film, because there was a need for positivity and something to unite us all together."

The advancement of artificial intelligence is a significant worry for the film industry, creating the potential that in future it could be used to make a film like the animation.

Cho acknowledges she is aware that technology is already being used to copy performers' vocals, but aims to "maintain faith in people" that audiences will still pursue human-made creativity.

"Sure, I believe there will be AI actors and singers. I'm aware they're already here. I know performers' voices are already being manipulated, but I trust the public have appreciation and desire for authentic creations."

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 audiences globally are demanding a sequel.

She 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 streaming service or the production company, which made the film, to approve the project.

"I'm aware rumors are circulating, the feedback is positive," she shares. "Only time will tell, and I think fans everywhere would riot if it didn't happen."

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