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

"{I hated that I looked Asian, that I didn't have light-colored eyes and blonde hair, because those were the beauty standards at the time," says the actress, who voiced the lead character in Netflix's highly successful animated film, KPop Demon Hunters.

Cho, forty, recalls her childhood in Texas, as the eldest daughter of parents who emigrated from Korea and her struggle for acceptance in American society.

In the film, which narrates the tale of a girl group who must rescue humanity from evil forces, Rumi has to come to terms with her identity as part human, part demon – and when Cho first saw the screenplay, this struck a deep chord.

"Being born in America, 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 explains.

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

"Truthfully, at various stages in my existence, I despised many parts of me and I wanted to be someone else.

"As kids, your surroundings shapes your development and I feel like I lacked exposure to enough people that shared my appearance."

When it debuted on the platform in June, KPop Demon Hunters registered millions of streams in just two weeks, and secured the highest positions of the Netflix charts in 93 countries. To star in the pioneering animation with a Korean setting, with Asian protagonists, was for her "an aspiration realized" – but it has also made her a powerful role model for young Asian-Americans, the kind that was missing when she was young.

She notes many individuals of Korean descent have expressed it's "such a refreshing moment", making them proud for the first instance of their mixed background and culture.

"In my view Korean pop music really, truly, has paved the way. K-beauty has had a significant influence on Korea being loved. But I believe this movie is the one that tipped it over the edge, of, everybody wants to go to Korea, currently," Cho says.

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

"I feel like it kind of sucks to say this, but any time there's an production with Asian leads, people feel like a gamble," she reveals.

So, when she accepted the part, she took steps to connect with the entire cast and crew in person, she adds.

The film was launched amid heightened enforcement actions in the US as part of mass deportation efforts, which triggered demonstrations in numerous regions.

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

Korean news sources have suggested that up to one hundred fifty thousand individuals from Korea lacking legal status, including adopted children, are among those who could be removed.

As an grown-up, she understood that the racism she had experienced when in her youth was largely due to a lack of education, as many were unaware what it signified to be Korean or Asian.

"However today, in this day and age, when it seems the world and individuals should know better, it is beyond disappointing and at times it appears there's a sense of despair," she says.

Due to this, it's particularly meaningful, she notes, that KPop Demon Hunters could bring "optimism and happiness to various groups".

"Maybe that's why it's sort of like the season's hit film, because there was a need for some hope and something to unite us as one."

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

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

"Sure, I believe there will be digital performers and singers. I know they're already here. I know performers' voices are already being altered, but I hope the public have appreciation and desire for something real."

The film has also been leading the global music charts, with seven tracks from its score appearing in the Billboard Hot 100. It has its own fan creations, and viewers around the world are demanding a sequel.

She tells us she wishes she could answer the question of if a sequel is planned – but both everyone involved will have to await the streaming service or the production company, which made the film, to approve the project.

"I know rumors are circulating, the feedback is positive," she shares. "Only time will tell, and I think fans everywhere would riot if there wasn't."

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