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

"{I disliked that I had Asian features, that I didn't have light-colored eyes and fair hair, because that's what was beautiful at the time," reveals the actress, who voiced Rumi in the streaming platform's chart-topping animated film, the K-pop themed animation.

Cho, forty, recalls her childhood in Texas, as the firstborn child of Korean immigrant parents and her struggle for acceptance in the United States.

In the film, which narrates the tale of a girl group who must save the world from evil forces, the protagonist has to accept her identity as part human, part demon – and when she first saw the screenplay, this struck a deep chord.

"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 Asian-American, as a woman," she says.

These elements were components of her early life that paralleled Rumi's journey.

"Truthfully, at various stages in my life, I hated a lot of myself and I longed to become someone else.

"As kids, your surroundings influences your development and it seems I lacked exposure to sufficient individuals that shared my appearance."

When it debuted on the platform in June, the animated feature achieved millions of streams in just 14 days, and reached the highest positions of the Netflix charts in dozens of nations. To star in the pioneering animation with a Korean setting, with Korean leads, was for her "an aspiration realized" – but it has also established her as a inspiring figure for young Asian-Americans, the type that was missing when she was young.

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

"I feel like K-Pop has genuinely broken barriers. Korean cosmetics has had a significant influence on Korea being loved. But I believe this movie is the one that pushed it further, of, inspiring travel to Korea, now," she comments.

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

"It seems it kind of sucks to say this, but any time there's an Asian-led project, people feel like it's a risk," she reveals.

So, when she took on the role, she took steps to connect with everyone working on the film in person, she says.

The movie was launched amid increased immigration raids in the United States as part of mass deportation efforts, which triggered demonstrations in many states.

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

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

As an adult, she came to realise that the racism 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 individuals should know better, it is beyond disappointing and at times it appears we feel so hopeless," she says.

Due to this, it feels very special, she says, that the film could bring "optimism and happiness to all these different communities".

"Perhaps this explains it became the season's hit film, because there was a need for positivity and something to unite us as one."

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

Cho says she is aware that technology is already being used to copy performers' vocals, but aims to "have hope in humanity" that audiences will still seek out human-made creativity.

"Sure, I believe there will be AI actors and vocalists. I know they already exist. I understand our voices are already being manipulated, but I hope the public have appreciation and desire for something real."

The film has also been dominating the global music charts, with multiple songs from its score appearing in the prestigious charts. It has its own fan creations, and viewers globally are calling for a follow-up.

Cho tells us she would like to confirm the question of whether that will happen – but both everyone involved will have to await the streaming service or the studio, which produced the movie, to give it the green light.

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

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