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"{I hated that I had Asian features, that I lacked blue eyes and blonde hair, because that's what was beautiful back then," reveals Arden Cho, who portrayed Rumi in the streaming platform's chart-topping animated film, the K-pop themed animation.

The performer, forty, is describing her early years in Texas, as the firstborn child of Korean immigrant parents and her journey toward belonging in the United States.

In the film, which tells the story of a girl group who must save the world from dark powers, the protagonist has to come to terms with her true nature as a hybrid being – and when she first saw the screenplay, this struck a deep chord.

"Growing up in the US, feeling American but having others view me like I'm not, grappling with my identity as an Korean-American, as a Korean-American, as a female," she explains.

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

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

"During childhood, what you see shapes your development and it seems I just didn't see enough people that look like me."

When it launched on Netflix in June, the animated feature registered 33 million views in just 14 days, and reached the highest positions of the Netflix charts in 93 countries. To be part of the first Hollywood animated film set in Korea, with Asian protagonists, was for Cho "a dream come true" – but it has also made her a inspiring figure for young Asian-Americans, the kind that was missing 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 instance of their mixed background and cultural roots.

"I feel like K-Pop really, truly, has paved the way. K-beauty has had a significant influence on Korea being loved. But I feel like this movie is the one that pushed it further, of, inspiring travel to Korea, now," Cho says.

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

"It seems it kind of sucks to mention 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 the entire cast and crew face-to-face, she adds.

The film was launched amid increased immigration raids in the US as part of mass deportation efforts, which sparked protests in numerous regions.

As an Asian-American residing in America "it's heartbreaking and disappointing," says Cho. "Newcomers have made America what it is."

Reports have estimated that up to 150,000 individuals from Korea lacking legal status, including adopted children, are among those who could be removed.

As an adult, Cho came to realise that the prejudice she had encountered when she was younger stemmed mainly from a knowledge gap, as many were unaware what it meant to be of Asian descent.

"However today, in this day and age, when I feel like the society and people should know better, it is beyond disappointing and at times I feel like there's a sense of despair," she says.

Due to this, it feels very special, she notes, that the film could bring "hope and joy and love to all these different communities".

"Maybe that's why it's sort of like the season's hit film, because we just needed positivity and something to unite us all together."

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

Cho 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 human-made creativity.

"Sure, I believe they're going to have digital performers and singers. I know they already exist. I know our voices are already being altered, but I hope the public have some respect and desire for something real."

The film has also been dominating the international music rankings, with seven tracks from its soundtrack featured on the Billboard Hot 100. It has its own fan art, and audiences around the world are calling for a sequel.

Cho tells us she wishes she could answer the inquiry of if a sequel is planned – but both everyone involved will have to wait for the platform or the studio, which produced the movie, to approve the project.

"I'm aware rumors are circulating, the feedback is positive," she shares. "So we shall see, and I think fans everywhere would protest if there wasn't."

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