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

"{I disliked that I had Asian features, that I didn't have blue eyes and blonde hair, because that's what was beautiful back then," says the actress, who portrayed the lead character in the streaming platform's chart-topping movie, the K-pop themed animation.

Cho, 40, is describing her childhood in the southern state, as the firstborn child of Korean immigrant parents and her journey toward belonging in American society.

In the movie, 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 a hybrid being – and when Cho first saw the screenplay, this struck a deep chord.

"Being born in America, identifying as American but having people treat me like a foreigner, grappling with my sense of self as an Korean-American, as a Korean-American, as a female," she explains.

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

"Truthfully, at various stages in my life, I despised many parts of me and I longed to become someone else.

"During childhood, your surroundings shapes your development and it seems I lacked exposure to sufficient individuals that look like me."

When it launched on Netflix in June, the animated feature achieved millions of streams in just two weeks, and reached the highest positions of the streaming rankings in 93 countries. To star in the pioneering animation set in Korea, with Asian protagonists, was for Cho "an aspiration realized" – but it has also made her a powerful role model for Asian-American children, the type that was missing when in her youth.

Cho notes many Korean-Americans have told her it's "a breath of fresh air", making them feel pride for the first instance of their dual heritage and culture.

"I feel like Korean pop music really, truly, has paved the way. Korean cosmetics has had a significant influence 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, currently," she comments.

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

"I feel like it kind of sucks to mention this, but any time there's an Asian-led project, it's perceived like it's a risk," 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 heightened enforcement actions in the United States as part of mass deportation efforts, which triggered demonstrations in numerous regions.

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

Reports have suggested that up to one hundred fifty thousand Korean immigrants without proper documentation, including those who were adopted, are among those who could be deported.

As an adult, Cho came to realise that the prejudice she had experienced when in her youth stemmed mainly from a knowledge gap, as many were unaware what it signified to be of Asian descent.

"But now, in the modern era, when it seems the society and individuals ought to be more informed, it is beyond disappointing and sometimes I feel like we feel so hopeless," she says.

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

"Maybe that's why it became the season's hit film, because there was a need for some hope and a unifying element as one."

The advancement of artificial intelligence is a major concern for the film industry, creating the potential that in coming years it could be used to make a movie like KPop Demon Hunters.

The actress acknowledges she is aware that AI is already being used to replicate performers' vocals, but wants to "have hope in humanity" that individuals will still seek out art created by humans.

"Certainly, I'm sure there will be AI actors and singers. I know they're already here. I understand performers' voices are already being altered, but I trust the public have some respect and desire for something real."

KPop Demon Hunters has also been leading the international music rankings, with seven tracks from its score appearing in the Billboard Hot 100. It has its own fan creations, and audiences globally are demanding a sequel.

She tells us she wishes she could answer the inquiry of if a sequel is planned – but both she and fans will have to await the streaming service or the production company, which produced the movie, to approve the project.

"I'm aware rumors are circulating, the feedback is positive," she says. "Only time will tell, and I think everyone in the world would protest if there wasn't."

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