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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 light-colored eyes and fair hair, because that's what was beautiful back then," reveals the actress, who portrayed Rumi in Netflix's chart-topping movie, the K-pop themed animation.

The performer, forty, recalls her early years in Texas, as the firstborn child of parents who emigrated from Korea and her struggle for acceptance in the United States.

In the film, which narrates the tale of a girl group who must rescue humanity from evil forces, the protagonist has to come to terms with her identity as part human, part demon – and when she first read the script, this resonated powerfully.

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

These elements were aspects of her early life that mirrored the character's path.

"I can honestly say, at various stages in my existence, I hated many parts of me and I longed to become someone else.

"As kids, your surroundings shapes your development and it seems I just didn't see sufficient individuals that look like me."

When it debuted on the platform in June, KPop Demon Hunters registered 33 million views in just two weeks, and secured the highest positions of the Netflix charts in dozens of nations. To be part of the pioneering animation set in Korea, with Korean leads, was for Cho "a dream come true" – but it has also made her a powerful role model for Asian-American children, the kind that she lacked when she was young.

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

"In my view K-Pop really, truly, has paved the way. Korean cosmetics has had a significant influence on Korea being loved. But I feel like this movie is the one that pushed it further, of, inspiring travel to Korea, currently," Cho says.

But the movie's triumph was not guaranteed and Cho admits she felt the production crew were "sometimes facing an uphill battle".

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

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

The movie was released against the backdrop of heightened enforcement actions in the United States as part of mass deportation efforts, which triggered demonstrations in many states.

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

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

As an grown-up, Cho came to realise that the racism she had experienced when she was younger was largely due to a knowledge gap, as many were unaware what it signified to be Korean or Asian.

"However today, in this day and age, when it seems the society and individuals ought to be more informed, it's deeply disheartening and sometimes it appears we feel so hopeless," she expresses.

Due to this, it feels very special, she notes, that the film could bring "hope and joy and love to various groups".

"Maybe that's why it's sort of like the season's hit film, because we just needed some hope and something to unite us 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 film like KPop Demon Hunters.

The actress acknowledges she is aware that AI is already being used to copy actors' voices, but aims to "have hope in humanity" that audiences will still pursue human-made creativity.

"Sure, I'm sure there will be AI actors and singers. I know they already exist. I understand performers' voices are already being altered, but I trust the public have appreciation and desire for authentic creations."

The film has also been dominating 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 calling for a follow-up.

Cho tells us she would like to confirm the inquiry of if a sequel is planned – but both everyone involved will have to await the platform or the production company, which produced the movie, to give it the green light.

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

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