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"{I hated that I looked Asian, that I lacked 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 chart-topping animated film, KPop Demon Hunters.

The performer, 40, is describing her childhood in Texas, as the eldest daughter of parents who emigrated from Korea and her struggle for acceptance in American society.

In the film, which narrates the tale of a female K-Pop trio who must save the world from dark powers, the protagonist has to accept her identity as part human, part demon – and when Cho first saw the screenplay, this resonated powerfully.

"Being born in America, identifying as American but having others view me like a foreigner, grappling with my identity as an Asian-American, as a Korean-American, as a woman," she says.

These elements were aspects of her formative years that paralleled the character's path.

"I can honestly say, at different points in my life, 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 lacked exposure to sufficient individuals that shared my appearance."

When it debuted on the platform in June, KPop Demon Hunters registered millions of streams in just two weeks, and reached the top 10 of the streaming rankings in 93 countries. To star in the pioneering animation 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 type that she lacked when she was young.

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

"I feel like Korean pop music has genuinely broken barriers. K-beauty has had such a big impact on Korea being loved. But I believe this movie is the one that tipped it over the edge, of, everybody wants to go to Korea, now," she comments.

But the film's success was not guaranteed and Cho says she felt the team making it were "sometimes facing an uphill battle".

"I feel like it's unfortunate to say this, but any time there's an Asian-led project, people feel like it's a risk," she says.

So, when she took on the role, she took steps to connect with everyone working on the film in person, she adds.

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

As an person of Asian descent living in the US "it's deeply saddening," she states. "Newcomers have made America what it is."

Korean news sources have estimated 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 grown-up, Cho came to realise that the racism she had experienced when she was younger stemmed mainly from a lack of education, as people didn't know what it signified to be of Asian descent.

"But now, in this day and age, when I feel like the world and people ought to be more informed, it is beyond disappointing and sometimes I feel like 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 there was a need for some hope and a unifying element all together."

The growth of AI is a major concern for the film industry, 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 technology is already being used to copy actors' voices, but wants to "have hope in humanity" that individuals will still seek out art created by humans.

"Certainly, I believe they're going to have digital performers and vocalists. 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."

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

Cho reveals she wishes she could answer the inquiry 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'm aware rumors are circulating, I've heard wonderful things," she shares. "So we shall see, and I believe fans everywhere would riot if it didn't happen."

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