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This feature delves into extraordinary interviews and narratives from around the globe.

"{I hated that I looked Asian, that I lacked light-colored eyes and fair hair, because that's what was beautiful back then," says Arden Cho, who voiced Rumi in Netflix's chart-topping animated film, the K-pop themed animation.

The performer, 40, is describing her early years 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 girl group who must save the world from evil forces, the protagonist has to come to terms with her identity as part human, part demon – and when Cho first read the script, this struck a deep chord.

"Growing up in the US, feeling American but having people treat me like a foreigner, grappling with my sense of self as an Korean-American, as a Korean-American, as a woman," she explains.

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

"I can honestly say, at various stages in my existence, I despised a lot of myself and I longed to become someone else.

"During childhood, your surroundings shapes your development and it seems I lacked exposure to enough people that shared my appearance."

When it launched on Netflix in June, KPop Demon Hunters achieved 33 million views in just 14 days, and secured the highest positions of the Netflix charts in dozens of nations. To be part of the pioneering animation with a Korean setting, with Korean leads, was for her "an aspiration realized" – but it has also established her as a powerful role model for Asian-American children, the kind that she lacked when she was young.

Cho notes many Korean-Americans have told her it's "such a refreshing moment", making them feel pride for the first instance of their mixed background and culture.

"I feel like Korean pop music has genuinely broken barriers. K-beauty has had such a big impact on global appreciation for Korea. But I believe the film is the one that tipped it over the edge, of, inspiring travel to Korea, now," she comments.

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

"I feel like it's unfortunate to say this, but any time there's an production with Asian leads, it's perceived like it's a risk," she reveals.

So, when she accepted the part, she took steps to connect with everyone working on the film face-to-face, she adds.

The movie was released 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 Asian-American residing in America "it's deeply saddening," she states. "Newcomers have made America what it is."

Korean news sources have suggested that up to 150,000 Korean immigrants lacking legal status, including those who were adopted, are among those who could be removed.

As an adult, Cho came to realise that the prejudice she had encountered when she was younger was largely due to a lack of education, as many were unaware what it meant to be of Asian descent.

"But now, in the modern era, when I feel like the society and individuals should know better, it is beyond disappointing and at times it appears we feel so hopeless," she expresses.

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

"Maybe that's why it became this movie of the summer, because there was a need for positivity and something to unite us all together."

The growth of AI is a major concern for the film industry, raising the possibility that in coming years it could be used to make a film like KPop Demon Hunters.

Cho says she is conscious that technology is already being used to replicate performers' vocals, but wants to "maintain faith in people" that individuals will still pursue human-made creativity.

"Certainly, I'm sure there will be AI actors and vocalists. I'm aware they're already here. I know performers' voices are already being altered, but I trust people have appreciation and want and love for authentic creations."

KPop Demon Hunters has also been dominating the global music charts, with seven tracks from its soundtrack featured on the Billboard Hot 100. It has its own fan creations, and viewers around the world are demanding a follow-up.

Cho tells us she would like to confirm the question of whether that will happen – but both she and fans 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, the feedback is positive," she says. "Only time will tell, and I think fans everywhere would riot if it didn't happen."

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