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This exclusive piece delves into remarkable conversations and narratives from around the globe.

"{I hated that I had Asian features, that I lacked blue eyes and blonde hair, because those were the beauty standards back then," reveals the actress, who voiced Rumi in the streaming platform's highly successful animated film, KPop Demon Hunters.

The performer, forty, recalls her childhood in Texas, as the eldest daughter of parents who emigrated from Korea and her journey toward belonging in American society.

In the film, which narrates the tale of a girl group who must rescue humanity 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 resonated powerfully.

"Growing up in the US, feeling American but having others view me like I'm not, trying to figure out my sense of self as an Korean-American, as a Asian-American, as a female," she explains.

These were all aspects of her early life that paralleled the character's path.

"Truthfully, at various stages in my existence, I hated many parts of me and I wanted to be a different person.

"As kids, your surroundings shapes who you become and I feel like I just didn't see enough people that shared my appearance."

When it launched on Netflix in the summer, KPop Demon Hunters achieved 33 million views in just two weeks, and secured the highest positions of the Netflix charts in 93 countries. To be part of the pioneering animation set in Korea, with Korean leads, was for Cho "a dream come true" – but it has also established her as a inspiring figure for Asian-American children, the type that she lacked when in her youth.

Cho says many Korean-Americans have expressed it's "such a refreshing moment", making them feel pride for the first time of their mixed background and culture.

"In my view K-Pop has genuinely broken barriers. K-beauty has had a significant influence on global appreciation for Korea. But I feel like the film is the one that pushed it further, of, inspiring travel to Korea, now," Cho says.

But the film's success was not guaranteed and the actress admits she felt the production crew were "sometimes facing an uphill battle".

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

So, when she accepted the part, she made an effort to connect with everyone working on the film face-to-face, she adds.

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

As an person of Asian descent living in the US "it's deeply saddening," she states. "Immigrants have shaped the nation."

Reports have suggested that up to one hundred fifty thousand individuals from Korea without proper documentation, including adopted children, are among those who could be deported.

As an adult, Cho came to realise that the racism she had encountered when in her youth stemmed mainly from a knowledge gap, as people didn't know what it meant to be of Asian descent.

"However today, in this day and age, when it seems the society and people should know better, it's deeply disheartening and at times it appears there's a sense of despair," she says.

Because of this, it feels very special, she notes, that KPop Demon Hunters could bring "optimism and happiness to various groups".

"Maybe that's why it's sort of like this movie of the summer, because we just needed some hope and a unifying element as one."

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

Cho acknowledges she is conscious that AI is already being used to replicate performers' vocals, but wants to "maintain faith in people" that audiences will still pursue art created by humans.

"Sure, I'm sure they're going to have AI actors and singers. I know they already exist. I understand our voices are already being altered, but I trust the public have some respect 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 Billboard Hot 100. It has its own fan art, and audiences globally are demanding a follow-up.

Cho reveals she wishes she could answer the inquiry 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 give it the green light.

"I'm aware there's lots of murmurs, 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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