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

"{I hated 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," says the actress, who voiced Rumi in Netflix's highly successful movie, KPop Demon Hunters.

The performer, 40, is describing her early years in Texas, as the firstborn child of Korean immigrant parents and her journey toward belonging in the United States.

In the movie, 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.

"Growing up in the US, 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 female," she explains.

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

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

"As kids, what you see influences your development and it seems I lacked exposure to sufficient individuals that look like me."

When it debuted on the platform in the summer, KPop Demon Hunters registered millions of streams in just two weeks, and reached the highest positions of the streaming rankings in 93 countries. To be part of the pioneering animation with a Korean setting, with Korean leads, was for her "a dream come true" – but it has also established her as a inspiring figure for young Asian-Americans, the type that she lacked when she was young.

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

"I feel like K-Pop has genuinely broken barriers. Korean cosmetics has had such a big impact on Korea being loved. But I feel like the film is the one that tipped it over the edge, of, everybody wants to go to Korea, now," Cho says.

But the film's success was uncertain and Cho says she felt the production crew were "sometimes facing an uphill battle".

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

So, when she accepted the part, she took steps to connect with everyone working on the film face-to-face, she says.

The movie was launched against the backdrop of increased immigration raids in the United States as part of mass deportation efforts, which sparked protests in numerous regions.

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

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

As an adult, she understood that the prejudice she had experienced when in her youth was largely due to a knowledge gap, as many were unaware what it meant to be of Asian descent.

"However today, in this day and age, when I feel like the world and people ought to be more informed, it is beyond disappointing and sometimes it appears we feel so hopeless," she says.

Due to this, it's particularly meaningful, she notes, that KPop Demon Hunters could bring "optimism and happiness to all these different communities".

"Perhaps this explains it's sort of like the season's hit film, because we just needed some hope and something to unite us all together."

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

The actress acknowledges she is conscious that technology is already being used to copy performers' vocals, but wants to "have hope in humanity" that individuals will still seek out human-made creativity.

"Sure, I believe there will be digital performers and vocalists. I know they're already here. I know our voices are already being altered, but I trust the public have some respect and want and love for authentic creations."

The film has also been dominating the international music rankings, with seven tracks from its soundtrack featured on the Billboard Hot 100. It has its own fan art, and viewers globally are demanding a sequel.

She tells us she wishes she could answer the inquiry of if a sequel is planned – but both everyone involved will have to await the platform or the studio, which made the film, to approve the project.

"I know rumors are circulating, the feedback is positive," she says. "So we shall see, and I think everyone in the world would protest if there wasn't."

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