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This feature delves into extraordinary interviews and narratives from worldwide.

"{I disliked that I had Asian features, that I didn't have light-colored 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 chart-topping animated film, the K-pop themed animation.

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

In the movie, which narrates the tale of a female K-Pop trio who must rescue humanity from evil forces, Rumi has to accept her identity as a hybrid being – and when Cho first read the script, 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 Korean-American, as a Korean-American, as a woman," she says.

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

"I can honestly say, at different points in my life, I hated many parts of me and I longed to become someone else.

"As kids, your surroundings influences your development and I feel like I just didn't see sufficient individuals that look like me."

When it debuted on the platform in June, KPop Demon Hunters registered millions of streams in just two weeks, and secured the top 10 of the streaming rankings in 93 countries. To be part of the first Hollywood animated film with a Korean setting, with Korean leads, was for her "a dream come true" – but it has also made her a inspiring figure for young Asian-Americans, the kind that was missing when in her youth.

She says many individuals of Korean descent have told her it's "a breath of fresh air", making them feel pride for the first time of their mixed background and culture.

"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 pushed it further, 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 team making it were "sometimes facing an uphill battle".

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

So, when she accepted the part, she took steps to meet the entire cast and crew in person, she says.

The film was launched against the backdrop of increased immigration raids in the United States as part of mass deportation efforts, which triggered demonstrations in numerous regions.

As an person of Asian descent living in the US "it's heartbreaking and disappointing," says Cho. "Immigrants have shaped the nation."

Reports have suggested that up to one hundred fifty thousand Korean immigrants without proper documentation, including those who were adopted, are among those who could be deported.

As an adult, Cho understood that the prejudice she had encountered when in her youth stemmed mainly from a lack of education, as people didn't know what it meant to be Korean or Asian.

"But now, in the modern era, when it seems the society and individuals ought to be more informed, it's deeply disheartening and at times I feel like there's a sense of despair," she expresses.

Due to this, it's particularly meaningful, she says, that the film could bring "optimism and happiness to various groups".

"Perhaps this explains it became this movie of the summer, because we just needed positivity and a unifying element as one."

The advancement of artificial intelligence is a significant worry for the film industry, creating the potential that in coming years it could be used to produce a film like the animation.

Cho says she is conscious that technology is already being used to copy actors' voices, but wants to "have hope in humanity" that individuals will still pursue art created by humans.

"Certainly, I believe there will be digital performers and vocalists. I'm aware they're already here. I understand our voices are already being altered, but I hope people have appreciation and desire for something real."

The film has also been dominating the international music rankings, with multiple songs from its soundtrack featured on the Billboard Hot 100. It has its own fan creations, and viewers globally are calling for a follow-up.

She reveals she wishes she could answer the question of if a sequel is planned – but both everyone involved will have to await the streaming service or the production company, which produced the movie, to approve the project.

"I know there's lots of murmurs, I've heard wonderful things," she shares. "Only time will tell, and I think everyone in the world would protest if it didn't happen."

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