🔗 Share this article

This feature explores extraordinary interviews and narratives from worldwide.

"{I hated that I had Asian features, that I lacked light-colored eyes and blonde hair, because that's what was beautiful back then," reveals Arden Cho, who portrayed Rumi in the streaming platform's chart-topping movie, KPop Demon Hunters.

The performer, forty, recalls her early years in the southern state, as the firstborn child of Korean immigrant parents and her struggle for acceptance in the United States.

In the movie, which tells the story of a girl group who must rescue humanity from dark powers, Rumi has to come to terms with her identity as part human, part demon – and when Cho first saw the screenplay, this struck a deep chord.

"Growing up in the US, identifying as American but having others view me like I'm not, grappling with my identity as an Korean-American, as a Korean-American, as a female," she explains.

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

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

"As kids, what you see influences who you become and it seems I lacked exposure to sufficient individuals that shared my appearance."

When it debuted on the platform in June, the animated feature achieved millions of streams in just 14 days, and reached the top 10 of the streaming rankings in 93 countries. 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 established her as a inspiring figure for young Asian-Americans, the kind that was missing when she was young.

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

"In my view K-Pop really, truly, has paved the way. K-beauty has had such a big impact on global appreciation for Korea. But I feel like the film is the one that tipped it over the edge, of, inspiring travel to Korea, now," she comments.

But the movie's triumph was uncertain and Cho says 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 took on the role, she made an effort to connect with the entire cast and crew face-to-face, she says.

The film was launched against the backdrop of increased immigration raids 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 heartbreaking and disappointing," says Cho. "Immigrants have shaped the nation."

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

As an grown-up, Cho came to realise that the racism she had encountered when in her youth stemmed mainly from a knowledge gap, as people didn't know what it signified to be of Asian descent.

"However today, in this day and age, when it seems the world and people ought to be more informed, it is beyond disappointing and at times it appears we feel so hopeless," she says.

Because of this, it's particularly meaningful, she notes, that KPop Demon Hunters could bring "hope and joy and love to various groups".

"Perhaps this explains it became the season's hit film, because we just needed some hope and a unifying element as one."

The growth of AI is a significant worry for the entertainment sector, creating the potential that in coming years it could be used to make a film like the animation.

The actress acknowledges she is aware that AI is already being used to copy actors' voices, but wants to "maintain faith in people" that individuals will still pursue human-made creativity.

"Sure, I'm sure they're going to have digital performers and singers. I'm aware they already exist. I understand our voices are already being altered, but I hope people have some respect and desire for authentic creations."

KPop Demon Hunters has also been leading the international music rankings, with multiple songs from its score appearing in the Billboard Hot 100. It has its own fan art, and viewers globally are demanding a sequel.

Cho reveals she would like to confirm the question of if a sequel is planned – but both everyone involved will have to await the platform or the production company, which produced the movie, to give it the green light.

"I'm aware rumors are circulating, I've heard wonderful things," she shares. "So we shall see, and I think fans everywhere would protest if it didn't happen."

• Starting conversations, building connections and challenging misinformation through features, investigations, conversations and extraordinary stories