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"{I disliked that I had Asian features, that I lacked blue eyes and blonde hair, because those were the beauty standards back then," says Arden Cho, who portrayed Rumi in the streaming platform's chart-topping animated film, KPop Demon Hunters.

Cho, 40, is describing her early years in the southern state, as the eldest daughter of parents who emigrated from Korea and her struggle for acceptance in American society.

In the movie, which narrates the tale of a girl group who must rescue humanity from evil forces, the protagonist has to come to terms with her true nature as part human, part demon – and when she first read the script, this resonated powerfully.

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

These were all aspects of her formative years that mirrored Rumi's journey.

"Truthfully, at different points in my existence, I despised a lot of myself and I longed to become a different person.

"As kids, what you see 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 the summer, the animated feature achieved millions of streams in just 14 days, and secured the top 10 of the Netflix charts in 93 countries. To star in the first Hollywood animated film with a Korean setting, with Asian protagonists, was for Cho "a dream come true" – but it has also made her a powerful role model for Asian-American children, the type that she lacked when she was young.

Cho notes many individuals of Korean descent have told her it's "a breath of fresh air", making them feel pride for the first instance of their dual heritage and culture.

"I feel like Korean pop music has genuinely broken barriers. 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 film's success was uncertain and Cho says she felt the production crew 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 made an effort to meet everyone working on the film in person, she says.

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

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

Korean news sources have suggested that up to 150,000 Korean immigrants without proper documentation, including adopted children, are among those who could be removed.

As an grown-up, Cho came to realise 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 Korean or Asian.

"But now, in this day and age, when it seems the society and people should know better, it is beyond disappointing and at times it appears there's a sense of despair," she says.

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

"Maybe that's why it became this movie of the summer, because we just needed positivity and something to unite us as one."

The advancement of artificial intelligence is a significant worry for the entertainment sector, creating the potential that in coming years it could be used to make a movie like KPop Demon Hunters.

The actress says she is conscious that technology is already being used to copy performers' vocals, but aims to "have hope in humanity" that audiences will still pursue art created by humans.

"Sure, I'm sure they're going to have AI actors and vocalists. I'm aware they already exist. I know performers' voices are already being altered, but I trust the public have some respect and desire for authentic creations."

The film has also been dominating the global music charts, with multiple songs from its soundtrack appearing in the prestigious charts. It has its own fan art, and viewers globally are demanding a sequel.

She reveals she wishes she could answer the question of if a sequel is planned – but both she and fans will have to await the platform or the studio, which made the film, to give it the green light.

"I know rumors are circulating, the feedback is positive," she says. "Only time will tell, and I believe everyone in the world would riot if there wasn't."

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