🔗 Share this article

This exclusive piece delves into extraordinary interviews and narratives from around the globe.

"{I hated that I looked Asian, that I didn't have blue eyes and fair hair, because those were the beauty standards at the time," says Arden Cho, who voiced the lead character in the streaming platform's highly successful movie, the K-pop themed animation.

The performer, forty, is describing her childhood in the southern state, as the eldest daughter of parents who emigrated from Korea and her struggle for acceptance in American society.

In the film, which tells the story of a girl group who must save the world from evil forces, Rumi has to accept her identity as a hybrid being – and when she first saw the screenplay, 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 identity as an Korean-American, as a Asian-American, as a female," she explains.

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

"I can honestly say, at various stages in my existence, I despised many parts of me and I longed to become a different person.

"As kids, your surroundings shapes who you become and it seems I just didn't see enough people that look like me."

When it debuted on the platform in June, KPop Demon Hunters achieved millions of streams in just 14 days, and secured the top 10 of the streaming rankings in dozens of nations. To star in the first Hollywood animated film with a Korean setting, with Asian protagonists, was for Cho "an aspiration realized" – but it has also made her a inspiring figure for Asian-American children, the kind that was missing when in her youth.

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

"I feel like Korean pop music really, truly, has paved the way. 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, everybody wants to go to Korea, now," Cho says.

But the film's success was not guaranteed and the actress admits she felt the production crew were "sometimes facing an uphill battle".

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

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

The movie was released amid heightened enforcement actions in the United States as part of mass deportation efforts, which triggered demonstrations in many states.

As an Asian-American residing in America "it's deeply saddening," says Cho. "Immigrants have made America what it is."

Korean news sources have suggested that up to 150,000 Korean immigrants lacking legal status, including adopted children, are among those who could be removed.

As an adult, Cho understood that the racism she had experienced 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 the modern era, when it seems the world and people ought to be more informed, it's deeply disheartening and at times it appears there's a sense of despair," she expresses.

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

"Perhaps this explains it's sort of like this movie of the summer, 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 the animation.

The actress says she is conscious that AI is already being used to replicate performers' vocals, but aims to "have hope in humanity" that individuals will still seek out art created by humans.

"Certainly, I'm sure there will be AI actors and vocalists. I'm aware they already exist. I understand performers' voices are already being altered, but I trust the public have appreciation and desire for authentic creations."

The film has also been dominating the international music rankings, with multiple songs from its soundtrack featured on the prestigious charts. It has its own fan art, and viewers around the world are demanding a follow-up.

Cho reveals she wishes she could answer the question of whether that will happen – but both she and fans will have to await the streaming service 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. "Only time will tell, and I believe everyone in the world would riot if there wasn't."

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