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

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

The performer, 40, is describing her childhood in Texas, as the eldest daughter of parents who emigrated from Korea and her struggle for acceptance in the United States.

In the film, which tells the story of a female K-Pop trio who must rescue humanity from evil forces, Rumi has to accept her true nature as part human, part demon – and when she first saw the screenplay, this resonated powerfully.

"Being born in America, feeling American but having people treat me like a foreigner, grappling with my identity as an Asian-American, as a Asian-American, as a female," she says.

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

"Truthfully, at different points in my existence, I hated 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 sufficient individuals that look like me."

When it launched on Netflix in the summer, KPop Demon Hunters achieved millions of streams in just two weeks, and reached the top 10 of the Netflix charts in 93 countries. To be part of the first Hollywood animated film with a Korean setting, with Asian protagonists, was for Cho "a dream come true" – but it has also made her a powerful role model for young Asian-Americans, the kind that was missing when in her youth.

Cho notes many Korean-Americans have told her it's "such a refreshing moment", making them proud for the first time of their mixed background and culture.

"I feel like Korean pop music has genuinely broken barriers. Korean cosmetics has had such a big impact on Korea being loved. But I believe the film is the one that tipped it over the edge, of, everybody wants to go to Korea, now," she comments.

But the film's success was uncertain and Cho admits she felt the production crew were "sometimes facing an uphill battle".

"It seems it's unfortunate to mention this, but any time there's an Asian-led project, it's perceived like a gamble," she says.

So, when she took on the role, 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 mass deportation efforts, which triggered demonstrations in numerous regions.

As an person of Asian descent residing in America "it's deeply saddening," she states. "Immigrants have made America what it is."

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

As an grown-up, she came to realise that the prejudice she had encountered when she was younger stemmed mainly from a lack of education, as many were unaware 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 sometimes I feel like there's a sense of despair," she says.

Due to this, it feels very special, she says, 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 a unifying element as one."

The growth of AI is a significant worry for the film industry, raising the possibility that in coming years it could be used to make a film like the animation.

Cho acknowledges she is conscious that technology is already being used to replicate actors' voices, but aims to "have hope in humanity" that audiences will still seek out art created by humans.

"Certainly, I believe there will be AI actors and singers. I know they're already here. I know performers' voices are already being manipulated, but I hope the public have appreciation and want and love for authentic creations."

The film 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 globally are calling for a follow-up.

She tells us she would like to confirm the question of if a sequel is planned – but both everyone involved will have to await the streaming service or the studio, which made the film, to give it the green light.

"I'm aware there's lots of murmurs, I've heard wonderful things," she says. "Only time will tell, and I think everyone in the world would riot if it didn't happen."

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