Animated Film KPop Demon Hunters Actress Reveals The Ways Her Personal Path Mirrored Main Character's Experience

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"{I hated that I had Asian features, that I lacked blue eyes and blonde hair, because those were the beauty standards back then," says Arden Cho, who voiced the lead character in Netflix's highly successful movie, KPop Demon Hunters.

The performer, 40, recalls her childhood in the southern state, as the firstborn child of Korean immigrant parents and her journey toward belonging in the United States.

In the film, which narrates the tale of a girl group who must save the world from evil forces, Rumi has to accept her identity as a hybrid being – and when she first read the script, this resonated powerfully.

"Growing up in the US, identifying as American but having others view me like a foreigner, grappling with my sense of self as an Asian-American, as a Asian-American, as a female," she explains.

These were all aspects of her early life that mirrored the character's path.

"I can honestly say, at various stages in my life, I despised many parts of me and I wanted to be someone else.

"As kids, your surroundings shapes who you become and it seems I lacked exposure to enough people that shared my appearance."

When it launched on Netflix in June, the animated feature achieved millions of streams in just two weeks, and reached the highest positions of the Netflix charts in dozens of nations. To be part of the first Hollywood animated film set in Korea, with Korean leads, was for Cho "a dream come true" – but it has also made her a inspiring figure for young Asian-Americans, the type that was missing when she was young.

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

"In my view K-Pop really, truly, has paved the way. Korean cosmetics has had a significant influence on global appreciation for Korea. But I believe this movie is the one that pushed it further, of, inspiring travel to Korea, now," she comments.

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

"I feel like it's unfortunate to mention this, but whenever there's an Asian-led project, people feel like a gamble," she reveals.

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

The movie was launched amid increased immigration raids in the US as part of extensive removal policies, which triggered demonstrations in numerous regions.

As an person of Asian descent residing in America "it's heartbreaking and disappointing," she states. "Newcomers have shaped the nation."

Reports have estimated that up to 150,000 individuals from Korea without proper documentation, including those who were adopted, are among those who could be removed.

As an adult, she came to realise that the racism she had experienced when she was younger was largely due to 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 world and people ought to be more informed, it is beyond disappointing and at times I feel like there's a sense of despair," she says.

Because of this, it's particularly meaningful, she says, that KPop Demon Hunters could bring "hope and joy and love to all these different communities".

"Perhaps this explains it's sort of like the season's hit film, because there was a need for positivity and a unifying element 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 copy performers' vocals, but aims to "maintain faith in people" that individuals will still seek out art created by humans.

"Certainly, I believe they're going to have AI actors and vocalists. I know they already exist. I know our voices are already being altered, but I hope the public have appreciation and desire for something real."

KPop Demon Hunters has also been dominating the global music charts, with multiple songs from its soundtrack appearing in the prestigious charts. It has its own fan creations, and audiences around the world are demanding a sequel.

She reveals she would like to confirm the inquiry of if a sequel is planned – but both she and fans will have to wait for the platform or the studio, which produced the movie, to give it the green light.

"I know rumors are circulating, the feedback is positive," she shares. "Only time will tell, and I think everyone in the world would riot if it didn't happen."

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