This exclusive piece delves into extraordinary interviews and stories from around the globe.
"{I disliked that I looked Asian, that I didn't have light-colored eyes and blonde hair, because that's what was beautiful back then," says Arden Cho, who voiced the lead character in the streaming platform's highly successful animated film, the K-pop themed animation.
Cho, forty, recalls her early years in Texas, as the firstborn child of parents who emigrated from Korea and her journey toward belonging in American society.
In the film, which narrates the tale of a girl group who must rescue humanity from dark powers, Rumi has to come to terms with her true nature as a hybrid being – and when Cho first read the script, this struck a deep chord.
"Being born in America, feeling American but having people treat me like I'm not, trying to figure out my identity as an Korean-American, as a Asian-American, as a woman," she says.
These were all aspects of her formative years that mirrored the character's path.
"I can honestly say, at various stages in my life, I hated a lot of myself and I longed to become someone else.
"As kids, your surroundings influences who you become and I feel like I just didn't see enough people that look like me."
When it launched on Netflix in the summer, the animated feature registered 33 million views in just two weeks, and secured the top 10 of the streaming rankings in 93 countries. To be part of the pioneering animation 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 she lacked when in her youth.
Cho 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 dual heritage and culture.
"I feel like K-Pop really, truly, has paved the way. Korean cosmetics has had such a big impact on global appreciation for Korea. But I believe this movie is the one that tipped it over the edge, of, inspiring travel to Korea, currently," Cho says.
But the movie's triumph was not guaranteed and Cho admits she felt the team making it were "sometimes facing an uphill battle".
"I feel like it's unfortunate to mention this, but whenever there's an production with Asian leads, it's perceived like a gamble," she says.
So, when she took on the role, she made an effort to connect with everyone working on the film in person, she adds.
The film was released against the backdrop of heightened enforcement actions in the US as part of mass deportation efforts, which sparked protests in many states.
As an Asian-American residing in America "it's heartbreaking and disappointing," says Cho. "Newcomers have shaped the nation."
Korean news sources 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 removed.
As an adult, Cho understood that the prejudice she had experienced when she was younger stemmed mainly from a lack of education, as many were unaware what it signified to be of Asian descent.
"However today, in the modern era, when it seems the world and individuals ought to be more informed, it's deeply disheartening and at times it appears there's a sense of despair," she says.
Due to this, it's particularly meaningful, she says, that the film could bring "optimism and happiness to all these different communities".
"Maybe that's why it became the season's hit film, because we just needed some hope and a unifying element all together."
The growth of AI is a significant worry for the entertainment sector, creating the potential that in future it could be used to produce a film like the animation.
The actress acknowledges she is aware that AI is already being used to replicate actors' voices, but wants to "maintain faith in people" that audiences will still seek out art created by humans.
"Certainly, I believe they're going to have digital performers and vocalists. I know they already exist. I know performers' voices are already being altered, but I hope the public have some respect and want and love for something real."
KPop Demon Hunters has also been dominating the global music charts, with multiple songs from its soundtrack featured on the Billboard Hot 100. It has its own fan art, and audiences around the world are demanding a sequel.
She tells us she would like to confirm the inquiry of whether that will happen – but both she and fans will have to await the streaming service or the studio, which produced the movie, to give it the green light.
"I'm aware rumors are circulating, I've heard wonderful things," she says. "Only time will tell, and I believe everyone in the world would riot if it didn't happen."
- Starting conversations, fostering relationships and challenging misinformation through articles, investigations, conversations and extraordinary stories
