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

"{I disliked that I looked Asian, that I lacked light-colored eyes and fair hair, because those were the beauty standards at the time," says the actress, who portrayed the lead character in Netflix's chart-topping movie, the K-pop themed animation.

The performer, forty, is describing her childhood in the southern state, as the firstborn child of parents who emigrated from Korea and her journey toward belonging in American society.

In the film, which narrates the tale of a female K-Pop trio who must rescue humanity from evil forces, the protagonist has to come to terms with her true nature as a hybrid being – and when Cho first saw the screenplay, this struck a deep chord.

"Growing up in the US, identifying as American but having others view me like a foreigner, trying to figure out my sense of self as an Korean-American, as a Asian-American, as a woman," she explains.

These were all components of her formative years that mirrored the character's path.

"I can honestly say, at different points in my existence, I hated a lot of myself and I longed to become a different person.

"As kids, what you see shapes your development and I feel like I just didn't see sufficient individuals that look like me."

When it launched on Netflix in the summer, the animated feature registered millions of streams in just 14 days, and secured the top 10 of the streaming rankings in dozens of nations. To star in the pioneering animation set in Korea, with Asian protagonists, was for Cho "a dream come true" – but it has also made her a powerful role model for Asian-American children, the type that she lacked when she was young.

Cho notes many individuals of Korean descent have told her it's "a breath of fresh air", making them proud for the first time of their dual heritage and cultural roots.

"In my view Korean pop music really, truly, has paved the way. K-beauty has had such a big impact on Korea being loved. But I feel like the film is the one that pushed it further, of, everybody wants to go to Korea, now," Cho says.

But the movie's triumph was not guaranteed and Cho says she felt the team making it were "occasionally struggling against odds".

"It seems it's unfortunate to say this, but whenever there's an Asian-led project, it's perceived like a gamble," she reveals.

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

The film was launched amid heightened enforcement actions in the US as part of extensive removal policies, which triggered demonstrations in numerous regions.

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

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 deported.

As an adult, she came to realise that the prejudice she had encountered when she was younger stemmed mainly from a lack of education, as many were unaware what it signified to be of Asian descent.

"But now, in this day and age, when it seems the world and people ought to be more informed, it's deeply disheartening and at times it appears we feel so hopeless," she expresses.

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

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

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

Cho says she is conscious that AI is already being used to replicate performers' vocals, but wants to "have hope in humanity" that audiences will still seek out art created by humans.

"Sure, I believe there will be AI actors and vocalists. I'm aware they already exist. I know performers' voices are already being manipulated, but I hope the public have appreciation and want and love for something real."

KPop Demon Hunters has also been leading the global music charts, with multiple songs from its soundtrack featured on the prestigious charts. It has its own fan creations, and viewers around the world are demanding a sequel.

She reveals she would like to confirm the question of if a sequel is planned – but both everyone involved will have to wait for the platform or the studio, which produced the movie, to approve the project.

"I know rumors are circulating, I've heard wonderful things," she shares. "So we shall see, and I think everyone in the world would protest if it didn't happen."

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