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

"{I hated that I looked Asian, that I lacked light-colored eyes and blonde hair, because those were the beauty standards back then," says the actress, who portrayed the lead character in Netflix's chart-topping animated film, the K-pop themed animation.

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

In the film, which narrates the tale of a female K-Pop trio who must save the world 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 struck a deep chord.

"Growing up in the US, identifying as American but having others view me like a foreigner, trying to figure out my identity as an Asian-American, as a Korean-American, as a woman," she says.

These were all aspects of her formative years that mirrored the character's path.

"I can honestly say, at various stages in my existence, I despised many parts of me and I wanted to be a different person.

"As kids, what you see shapes your development and I feel like I just didn't see sufficient individuals that look like me."

When it debuted on the platform in the summer, KPop Demon Hunters registered millions of streams in just 14 days, and secured the highest positions of the streaming rankings in 93 countries. To star in the first Hollywood animated film with a Korean setting, with Asian protagonists, was for her "an aspiration realized" – but it has also made her a inspiring figure for young Asian-Americans, the kind that was missing when in her youth.

She says many Korean-Americans have told her it's "a breath of fresh air", making them feel pride for the first instance of their mixed background and culture.

"I feel like K-Pop has genuinely broken barriers. K-beauty has had a significant influence on global appreciation for Korea. But I feel like this movie is the one that tipped it over the edge, of, inspiring travel to Korea, currently," she comments.

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

"I feel like it kind of sucks 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 made an effort to meet the entire cast and crew in person, she says.

The movie was launched against the backdrop of increased immigration raids in the United States as part of extensive removal policies, which triggered demonstrations in numerous regions.

As an Asian-American residing in America "it's deeply saddening," says Cho. "Newcomers have shaped the nation."

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

As an adult, she came to realise that the racism she had encountered when in her youth was largely due to a lack of education, as people didn't know what it signified to be Korean or Asian.

"But now, in the modern era, when I feel like the society and people should know better, it's deeply disheartening and at times it appears we feel so hopeless," she expresses.

Due to this, it's particularly meaningful, she says, that the film could bring "hope and joy and love to various groups".

"Perhaps this explains it became this movie of the summer, because we just needed positivity and a unifying element all together."

The advancement of artificial intelligence is a significant worry for the entertainment sector, raising the possibility that in coming years it could be used to make a film like the animation.

The actress 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 art created by humans.

"Certainly, I believe there will be AI actors and vocalists. I know they already exist. I understand performers' voices are already being manipulated, but I trust people have appreciation and want and love for something real."

The film has also been leading the global music charts, with multiple songs from its score featured on the prestigious charts. It has its own fan art, and viewers globally are calling for a sequel.

She reveals she wishes she could answer the inquiry of whether that will happen – but both everyone involved will have to await the streaming service or the production company, which produced the movie, to approve the project.

"I know rumors are circulating, I've heard wonderful things," she shares. "Only time will tell, and I believe fans everywhere would protest if there wasn't."

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