🔗 Share this article

This feature delves into remarkable conversations and stories from worldwide.

"{I hated that I had Asian features, that I didn't have blue eyes and fair hair, because that's what was beautiful at the time," reveals Arden Cho, who portrayed Rumi in the streaming platform's highly successful movie, KPop Demon Hunters.

The performer, 40, is describing her early years in the southern state, as the firstborn child of parents who emigrated from Korea and her struggle for acceptance 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 come to terms with her true nature as a hybrid being – and when she first read the script, this struck a deep chord.

"Being born in America, identifying as American but having others view me like a foreigner, trying to figure out my sense of self as an Korean-American, as a Korean-American, as a woman," she explains.

These elements were aspects of her early life that mirrored 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.

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

When it launched on Netflix in the summer, KPop Demon Hunters registered millions of streams in just two weeks, and secured the top 10 of the Netflix charts in dozens of nations. To star in the first Hollywood animated film with a Korean setting, 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.

Cho notes many Korean-Americans have told her it's "such a refreshing moment", making them feel pride for the first instance of their dual heritage and cultural roots.

"I feel like K-Pop really, truly, has paved the way. K-beauty 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, now," Cho says.

But the movie's triumph was not guaranteed and the actress admits she felt the production crew were "occasionally struggling against odds".

"I feel like it's unfortunate to mention this, but whenever there's an Asian-led project, it's perceived like it's a risk," she says.

So, when she took on the role, she took steps to meet the entire cast and crew 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 living in the US "it's deeply saddening," says Cho. "Immigrants have made America what it is."

Reports have suggested 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, Cho understood that the racism she had encountered when she was younger was largely due to a lack of education, as many were unaware what it meant to be Korean or Asian.

"However today, in the modern era, when it seems the world and individuals should know better, it is beyond disappointing and at times I feel like we feel so hopeless," she expresses.

Due to this, it's particularly meaningful, she notes, that KPop Demon Hunters could bring "optimism and happiness to various groups".

"Perhaps this explains it became the season's hit film, because we just needed positivity and a unifying element all together."

The growth of AI is a significant worry for the film industry, creating the potential that in future it could be used to produce a film like KPop Demon Hunters.

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

"Sure, I believe there will be digital performers and vocalists. I know they're already here. I understand performers' voices are already being altered, but I hope people have some respect and desire for something real."

KPop Demon Hunters has also been dominating the global music charts, with multiple songs from its soundtrack featured on the prestigious charts. It has its own fan art, and viewers globally are calling for a sequel.

Cho tells us she would like to confirm the inquiry of whether that will happen – but both everyone involved will have to await the streaming service or the studio, which made the film, to approve the project.

"I know there's lots of murmurs, the feedback is positive," she shares. "So we shall see, and I believe fans everywhere would riot if it didn't happen."

• Initiating discussions, fostering relationships and challenging misinformation through articles, in-depth reports, interviews and remarkable accounts