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This exclusive piece explores extraordinary interviews and narratives from worldwide.

"{I disliked that I had Asian features, that I lacked blue eyes and fair hair, because those were the beauty standards at the time," reveals the actress, who voiced Rumi in the streaming platform's chart-topping movie, the K-pop themed animation.

The performer, 40, recalls her childhood in Texas, as the eldest daughter of Korean immigrant parents and her journey toward belonging in American society.

In the film, which narrates the tale of a girl group who must save the world from evil forces, the protagonist has to accept her identity as part human, part demon – and when she first saw the screenplay, this resonated powerfully.

"Growing up in the US, feeling American but having people treat me like I'm not, grappling with my sense of self as an Korean-American, as a Asian-American, as a female," she says.

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

"I can honestly say, at different points in my life, I despised a lot of myself and I wanted to be someone else.

"During childhood, what you see shapes who you become and I feel like I just didn't see sufficient individuals that look like me."

When it launched on Netflix in June, KPop Demon Hunters achieved millions of streams in just 14 days, and secured the top 10 of the Netflix charts in 93 countries. To be part of the first Hollywood animated film with a Korean setting, with Korean leads, was for her "an aspiration realized" – but it has also made her a powerful role model for young Asian-Americans, the type that she lacked when she was young.

Cho notes many individuals of Korean descent have told her it's "a breath of fresh air", making them feel pride for the first time of their mixed background and culture.

"I feel like K-Pop really, truly, has paved the way. K-beauty 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, currently," she comments.

But the film's success was uncertain and Cho admits she felt the team making it were "occasionally struggling against odds".

"It seems it kind of sucks to mention this, but whenever there's an production with Asian leads, it's perceived like a gamble," she reveals.

So, when she took on the role, she made an effort to connect with the entire cast and crew face-to-face, she says.

The movie was released amid increased immigration raids in the US as part of extensive removal policies, which triggered demonstrations in many states.

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

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

As an grown-up, Cho understood that the prejudice she had encountered when she was younger stemmed mainly from a knowledge gap, as many were unaware what it signified to be of Asian descent.

"However today, in the modern era, when I feel like the society and people should know better, it is beyond disappointing and at times I feel like we feel so hopeless," she expresses.

Because of this, it feels very special, she notes, that the film could bring "optimism and happiness to all these different communities".

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

The growth of AI is a significant worry for the entertainment sector, creating the potential that in coming years it could be used to make a movie like the animation.

The actress says she is conscious that technology is already being used to replicate performers' vocals, but aims to "have hope in humanity" that individuals will still pursue art created by humans.

"Sure, I believe they're going to have AI actors and singers. I'm aware they already exist. I understand our voices are already being altered, but I hope people have appreciation and desire for something real."

KPop Demon Hunters has also been dominating the global music charts, with seven tracks from its soundtrack appearing in the prestigious charts. It has its own fan creations, and audiences around the world are demanding a follow-up.

Cho reveals she would like to confirm the question of whether that will happen – but both she and fans will have to wait for the streaming service or the production company, which produced the movie, to approve the project.

"I know there's lots of murmurs, the feedback is positive," she says. "Only time will tell, and I believe fans everywhere would protest if it didn't happen."

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