🔗 Share this article

This feature explores extraordinary interviews and stories from around the globe.

"{I disliked that I looked Asian, that I lacked light-colored eyes and fair hair, because those were the beauty standards back then," reveals Arden Cho, who voiced Rumi in the streaming platform's highly successful animated film, the K-pop themed animation.

The performer, forty, is describing her early years in Texas, as the firstborn child of Korean immigrant parents 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 true nature as a hybrid being – and when Cho first read the script, this struck a deep chord.

"Being born in America, 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 Korean-American, as a woman," she explains.

These elements were components of her early life that paralleled Rumi's journey.

"I can honestly say, at various stages in my life, I despised many parts of me and I longed to become someone else.

"As kids, what you see influences your development and I feel like I lacked exposure to sufficient individuals that shared my appearance."

When it launched on Netflix in the summer, KPop Demon Hunters registered millions of streams in just 14 days, and secured the top 10 of the Netflix charts in 93 countries. To be part of the first Hollywood animated film with a Korean setting, with Korean leads, was for her "an aspiration realized" – but it has also made her a powerful role model for Asian-American children, the type that she lacked when in her youth.

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

"In my view K-Pop has genuinely broken barriers. K-beauty has had such a big impact on Korea being loved. But I feel like this movie is the one that pushed it further, of, inspiring travel to Korea, now," she comments.

But the film's success was uncertain and the actress admits she felt the production crew were "sometimes facing an uphill battle".

"I feel like it's unfortunate to say this, but whenever there's an production with Asian leads, people feel like it's a risk," she says.

So, when she accepted the part, she made an effort to connect with the entire cast and crew in person, she adds.

The film was released against the backdrop of increased immigration raids in the US as part of extensive removal policies, which sparked protests in numerous regions.

As an Asian-American residing in America "it's heartbreaking and disappointing," she states. "Newcomers have shaped the nation."

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

As an adult, she came to realise that the prejudice she had experienced when she was younger 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 world and individuals ought to be more informed, it's deeply disheartening and sometimes I feel like we feel so hopeless," she expresses.

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

"Maybe that's why it's sort of like the season's hit film, because we just needed some hope 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.

Cho acknowledges she is aware that AI is already being used to copy actors' voices, but aims to "maintain faith in people" that audiences will still seek out art created by humans.

"Certainly, I believe they're going to have digital performers and vocalists. I know they already exist. I understand our voices are already being altered, but I trust the public have some respect and want and love for authentic creations."

KPop Demon Hunters has also been leading the international music rankings, with seven tracks from its score appearing in the prestigious charts. It has its own fan art, and viewers globally are calling for a follow-up.

Cho reveals she would like to confirm the question of whether that will happen – but both she and fans will have to wait for the platform 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. "So we shall see, and I believe fans everywhere would riot if it didn't happen."

• Starting conversations, building connections and combating false narratives through articles, investigations, interviews and extraordinary stories