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

"{I hated that I looked Asian, that I didn't have light-colored eyes and fair hair, because that's what was beautiful at the time," says Arden Cho, who voiced the lead character in Netflix's chart-topping animated film, KPop Demon Hunters.

The performer, 40, recalls her childhood in Texas, as the eldest daughter of Korean immigrant parents and her journey toward belonging in American society.

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

"Being born in America, feeling American but having people treat me like a foreigner, trying to figure out my identity as an Asian-American, as a Asian-American, as a woman," she says.

These elements were aspects of her early life that mirrored the character's path.

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

"As kids, your surroundings influences who you become and it seems I lacked exposure to enough people that look like me."

When it launched on Netflix in June, the animated feature registered 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 set in Korea, with Asian protagonists, was for Cho "an aspiration realized" – but it has also made her a powerful role model for young Asian-Americans, the type that was missing when she was young.

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

"I feel like Korean pop music really, truly, has paved the way. K-beauty has had a significant influence on global appreciation for Korea. But I believe the film is the one that tipped it over the edge, of, everybody wants to go to Korea, currently," Cho says.

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

"It seems it kind of sucks to say this, but any time there's an Asian-led project, it's perceived like a gamble," she reveals.

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

The movie was released amid increased immigration raids in the US as part of extensive removal policies, which triggered demonstrations in many states.

As an person of Asian descent residing in America "it's heartbreaking and disappointing," she states. "Immigrants have shaped the nation."

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

As an adult, she came to realise that the prejudice she had experienced when in her youth was largely due to a lack of education, as people didn't know what it meant to be of Asian descent.

"But now, in this day and age, when it seems the society and individuals should know better, it is beyond disappointing and sometimes I feel like there's a sense of despair," she expresses.

Because of this, it feels very special, she notes, that the film could bring "optimism and happiness to various groups".

"Perhaps this explains it became the season's hit film, because there was a need for some hope and a unifying element as one."

The growth of AI is a significant worry for the entertainment sector, raising the possibility that in future it could be used to make a movie like KPop Demon Hunters.

Cho acknowledges she is conscious that technology is already being used to replicate performers' vocals, but wants to "have hope in humanity" that individuals will still pursue human-made creativity.

"Sure, I'm sure there will be digital performers and vocalists. I'm aware they're already here. I understand our voices are already being altered, but I trust people have some respect and desire for something real."

The film has also been leading the global music charts, with multiple songs from its soundtrack featured on the Billboard Hot 100. It has its own fan creations, and viewers globally are demanding a sequel.

Cho tells us she would like to confirm the inquiry of if a sequel is planned – but both she and fans will have to wait for the streaming service or the studio, which produced the movie, to give it the green light.

"I'm aware rumors are circulating, the feedback is positive," she shares. "So we shall see, and I think everyone in the world would riot if there wasn't."

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