'I hated that I looked Asian, that I didn't have blue eyes and blonde hair, because that's what was beautiful at the time,' says Arden Cho, the actress who voiced Rumi, star of Netflix's chart-topping animated film, KPop Demon Hunters. Speaking to the BBC World Service for the Global Women series, Cho, 40, describes her childhood as the eldest daughter of Korean immigrant parents in Texas and her struggle for acceptance in American society. In the film, which tells the story of a female K-Pop trio who must save the world from evil forces, Rumi grapples with her identity as part human, part demon—a theme that profoundly resonated with Cho. Being born in America, feeling American but having people treat me like I'm not, trying to figure out my identity as an Asian-American, as a Korean-American, as a woman,” she notes. The actress shares her past resentment towards her own appearance, emphasizing the impact of limited representation in media during her youth. With KPop Demon Hunters achieving significant commercial success, earning 33 million views in its first two weeks on Netflix and topping charts in 93 countries, Cho believes the film has helped reshape perceptions of Korean culture. The release comes amid critical discussions on Asian representation and the need for better education to combat racism. Cho finds solace in the film's ability to bring hope and unity, making her a role model for Asian-American children—a representation she longed for in her own upbringing. As discussions about potential sequels arise, Cho expresses her hopes for the future of animated films featuring diverse casts and the enduring power of human artistry in an era increasingly influenced by AI.