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This feature delves into extraordinary interviews and narratives from around the globe.

"{I hated that I looked Asian, that I lacked blue eyes and fair hair, because that's what was beautiful back then," says Arden Cho, who portrayed the lead character in the streaming platform's highly successful movie, KPop Demon Hunters.

The performer, forty, is describing her early years in the southern state, as the eldest daughter of parents who emigrated from Korea and her journey toward belonging in the United States.

In the film, which tells the story of a female K-Pop trio who must save the world from evil forces, the protagonist has to come to terms with her identity as part human, part demon – and when she first read the script, this struck a deep chord.

"Growing up in the US, feeling American but having others view me like I'm not, trying to figure out my sense of self as an Korean-American, as a Asian-American, as a woman," she says.

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

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

"As kids, your surroundings shapes who you become and I feel like I just didn't see sufficient individuals that look like me."

When it debuted on the platform in June, the animated feature registered millions of streams in just 14 days, and reached the highest positions of the Netflix charts in 93 countries. To star in the first Hollywood animated film set in Korea, with Asian protagonists, was for Cho "a dream come true" – but it has also made her a inspiring figure for Asian-American children, the kind that she lacked when she was young.

She notes many Korean-Americans have told her it's "a breath of fresh air", making them feel pride for the first time of their dual heritage and culture.

"In my view K-Pop really, truly, has paved the way. Korean cosmetics has had a significant influence on Korea being loved. But I feel like this movie is the one that tipped it over the edge, of, everybody wants to go to Korea, now," Cho says.

But the movie's triumph was uncertain and Cho admits she felt the production crew were "occasionally struggling against odds".

"It seems it kind of sucks to mention this, but any time there's an Asian-led project, people feel like it's a risk," she reveals.

So, when she accepted the part, she took steps to meet the entire cast and crew 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 sparked protests in numerous regions.

As an Asian-American living in the US "it's deeply saddening," she states. "Immigrants have shaped the nation."

Korean news sources have estimated that up to one hundred fifty thousand individuals from Korea lacking legal status, including those who were adopted, are among those who could be removed.

As an adult, she came to realise that the prejudice she had experienced when in her youth stemmed mainly from a lack of education, as many were unaware what it meant to be of Asian descent.

"But now, in the modern era, when I feel like the world and people should know better, it's deeply disheartening and sometimes it appears we feel so hopeless," she expresses.

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

"Maybe that's why it became this movie of the summer, because there was a need for positivity and something to unite us as one."

The growth of AI is a major concern for the film industry, creating the potential that in future it could be used to make a movie like the animation.

The actress says she is conscious that technology is already being used to copy actors' voices, but aims to "have hope in humanity" that audiences will still pursue human-made creativity.

"Sure, I believe they're going to have digital performers and vocalists. I'm aware they already exist. I know our voices are already being manipulated, but I hope the public have some respect and want and love for something real."

KPop Demon Hunters has also been leading the international music rankings, with multiple songs from its score featured on the Billboard Hot 100. It has its own fan art, and audiences around the world are calling for 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 produced the movie, to give it the green light.

"I know rumors are circulating, the feedback is positive," she shares. "So we shall see, and I think everyone in the world would protest if there wasn't."

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