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"{I hated that I looked Asian, that I didn't have light-colored eyes and blonde hair, because those were the beauty standards at the time," reveals Arden Cho, who portrayed the lead character in Netflix's highly successful animated film, the K-pop themed animation.

Cho, forty, recalls her childhood in Texas, as the firstborn child of Korean immigrant parents and her journey toward belonging in the United States.

In the movie, which narrates the tale of a girl group who must save the world from dark powers, Rumi has to come to terms with her true nature as a hybrid being – and when Cho first saw the screenplay, this resonated powerfully.

"Growing up in the US, feeling American but having people treat me like a foreigner, trying to figure out my sense of self as an Korean-American, as a Asian-American, as a woman," she explains.

These were all aspects of her early life that mirrored the character's path.

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

"During childhood, your surroundings shapes your development and I feel like I lacked exposure to sufficient individuals that look like me."

When it launched on Netflix in June, the animated feature registered 33 million views in just two weeks, and reached the highest positions of the streaming rankings in 93 countries. To be part of the pioneering animation set in Korea, with Asian protagonists, was for her "a dream come true" – but it has also made her a inspiring figure for Asian-American children, the kind that was missing when in her youth.

She notes many individuals of Korean descent have told her it's "a breath of fresh air", making them proud for the first time of their mixed background and cultural roots.

"I feel like Korean pop music really, truly, has paved the way. K-beauty has had a significant influence on global appreciation for Korea. But I believe this movie is the one that tipped it over the edge, of, everybody wants to go to Korea, currently," Cho says.

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

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

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

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

As an Asian-American living in the US "it's heartbreaking and disappointing," she states. "Newcomers have made America what it is."

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

As an grown-up, she understood that the prejudice she had experienced when she was younger stemmed mainly from a lack of education, as many were unaware what it meant to be Korean or Asian.

"However today, in this day and age, when I feel like the world and individuals should know better, it is beyond disappointing and at times I feel like there's a sense of despair," she expresses.

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

"Perhaps this explains it became the season's hit film, because there was a need for some hope and a unifying element all together."

The growth of AI is a major concern for the film industry, raising the possibility that in coming years it could be used to produce a film like the animation.

The actress acknowledges she is conscious that technology is already being used to replicate actors' voices, but wants to "maintain faith in people" that audiences will still seek out human-made creativity.

"Sure, I believe there will be AI actors and singers. I know they're already here. I understand our voices are already being altered, but I trust the public have some respect and want and love for authentic creations."

The film has also been dominating the international music rankings, with multiple songs from its score featured on the prestigious charts. It has its own fan creations, and audiences globally are calling for a follow-up.

She tells us she would like to confirm the question of if a sequel is planned – but both everyone involved will have to wait for the streaming service or the production company, which made the film, to give it the green light.

"I know there's lots of murmurs, I've heard wonderful things," she says. "Only time will tell, and I think everyone in the world would protest if there wasn't."

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