🔗 Share this article

This feature explores remarkable conversations and narratives from worldwide.

"{I hated that I looked Asian, that I didn't have light-colored eyes and blonde hair, because that's what was beautiful at the time," reveals Arden Cho, who portrayed Rumi in Netflix's highly successful movie, KPop Demon Hunters.

The performer, 40, recalls her childhood in the southern state, as the firstborn child of Korean immigrant parents and her struggle for acceptance in American society.

In the movie, which narrates the tale of a girl group who must save the world from dark powers, Rumi has to accept her true nature as a hybrid being – and when she first saw the screenplay, this struck a deep chord.

"Growing up in the US, identifying as American but having people treat me like a foreigner, trying to figure out my identity as an Asian-American, as a Korean-American, as a woman," she explains.

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

"Truthfully, at different points in my life, I hated a lot of myself and I longed to become someone else.

"During childhood, what you see shapes who you become and I feel like I lacked exposure to enough people that look like me."

When it debuted on the platform in June, the animated feature registered millions of streams in just 14 days, and reached the highest positions of the streaming rankings in 93 countries. To be part of the pioneering animation set in Korea, with Asian protagonists, was for her "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.

She says many individuals of Korean descent have expressed it's "such a refreshing moment", making them feel pride for the first instance of their mixed background and cultural roots.

"In my view Korean pop music really, truly, has paved the way. K-beauty has had a significant influence on global appreciation for Korea. But I believe this movie is the one that pushed it further, of, everybody wants to go to Korea, now," she comments.

But the film's success was uncertain and Cho admits 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 Asian-led project, people feel like a gamble," she reveals.

So, when she accepted the part, she took steps to meet the entire cast and crew face-to-face, she adds.

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

As an Asian-American residing in America "it's heartbreaking and disappointing," says Cho. "Immigrants have shaped the nation."

Reports have estimated that up to 150,000 individuals from Korea lacking legal status, including those who were adopted, are among those who could be deported.

As an grown-up, Cho came to realise that the racism she had experienced when in her youth stemmed mainly from a lack of education, as many were unaware what it meant 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 is beyond disappointing and at times it appears there's a sense of despair," she expresses.

Due to this, it feels very special, she notes, that KPop Demon Hunters could bring "optimism and happiness to various groups".

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

The advancement of artificial intelligence is a significant worry for the entertainment sector, raising the possibility that in future it could be used to make a film like the animation.

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

"Sure, I'm sure they're going to have digital performers and vocalists. I know they're already here. I understand our voices are already being altered, but I trust people have appreciation and desire for authentic creations."

KPop Demon Hunters has also been leading the global music charts, with multiple songs from its soundtrack appearing in the Billboard Hot 100. It has its own fan art, and viewers around the world are demanding a follow-up.

She reveals she wishes she could answer the inquiry of if a sequel is planned – but both she and fans will have to wait for the streaming service or the production company, which produced the movie, to give it the green light.

"I'm aware there's lots of murmurs, I've heard wonderful things," she shares. "Only time will tell, and I think everyone in the world would riot if there wasn't."

• Initiating discussions, building connections and challenging misinformation through articles, investigations, interviews and remarkable accounts