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

"{I hated that I had Asian features, that I didn't have blue eyes and fair hair, because that's what was beautiful at the time," says the actress, who portrayed the lead character in Netflix's chart-topping animated film, the K-pop themed animation.

The performer, 40, is describing her childhood in the southern state, as the firstborn child of parents who emigrated from Korea and her struggle for acceptance in American society.

In the movie, which tells the story of a girl group who must rescue humanity from dark powers, Rumi has to come to terms with her true nature as part human, part demon – and when Cho first saw the screenplay, this resonated powerfully.

"Being born in America, identifying as American but having others view me like a foreigner, trying to figure out my identity as an Korean-American, as a Asian-American, as a woman," she explains.

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

"Truthfully, at various stages in my existence, I hated a lot of myself and I longed to become a different person.

"As kids, what you see influences who you become and it seems I lacked exposure to enough people that look like me."

When it debuted on the platform in the summer, the animated feature achieved millions of streams in just 14 days, and secured the highest positions of the streaming rankings in dozens of nations. To be part of the first Hollywood animated film set in Korea, with Korean leads, was for Cho "an aspiration realized" – but it has also made her a inspiring figure for young Asian-Americans, the type that she lacked when in her youth.

She says many individuals of Korean descent have expressed it's "a breath of fresh air", making them proud for the first instance of their mixed background and culture.

"In my view K-Pop has genuinely broken barriers. K-beauty has had such a big impact on Korea being loved. But I believe this movie is the one that pushed it further, of, inspiring travel to Korea, now," she comments.

But the movie's triumph was not guaranteed and the actress says she felt the team making it were "occasionally struggling against odds".

"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 took on the role, she took steps to meet everyone working on the film in person, she adds.

The movie was launched against the backdrop of increased immigration raids in the United States as part of mass deportation efforts, which sparked protests in numerous regions.

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

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

As an adult, she understood that the prejudice she had experienced when she was younger was largely due to a lack of education, as many were unaware what it meant to be Korean or Asian.

"However today, in this day and age, when I feel like the world and individuals ought to be more informed, it is beyond disappointing and at times it appears there's a sense of despair," she says.

Due to this, it feels very special, she notes, that KPop Demon Hunters could bring "optimism and happiness to all these different communities".

"Maybe that's why it's sort of like the season's hit film, because there was a need for positivity and a unifying element as one."

The growth of AI is a significant worry for the film industry, creating the potential that in coming years it could be used to produce a film like KPop Demon Hunters.

The actress acknowledges she is aware that technology is already being used to copy actors' voices, but wants to "have hope in humanity" that individuals will still seek out human-made creativity.

"Certainly, I'm sure there will be AI actors and singers. I know they're already here. I understand our voices are already being altered, but I trust the public have some respect and want and love for authentic creations."

KPop Demon Hunters has also been dominating the international music rankings, with seven tracks from its score featured on the prestigious charts. 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 if a sequel is planned – but both everyone involved will have to wait for the streaming service or the studio, which produced the movie, to approve the project.

"I'm aware rumors are circulating, I've heard wonderful things," she shares. "Only time will tell, and I think everyone in the world would protest if it didn't happen."

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