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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 blonde hair, because those were the beauty standards at the time," says the actress, who voiced Rumi in Netflix's highly successful animated film, KPop Demon Hunters.

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

In the movie, which tells the story of a female K-Pop trio who must save the world from evil forces, Rumi has to come to terms with her true nature as a hybrid being – and when she first read the script, this struck a deep chord.

"Being born in America, feeling American but having others view me like I'm not, grappling with my sense of self as an Asian-American, as a Korean-American, as a female," she says.

These elements were aspects of her early life that mirrored Rumi's journey.

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

"During childhood, what you see influences your development and I feel like I just didn't see enough people that shared my appearance."

When it launched on Netflix in June, the animated feature achieved millions of streams in just two weeks, and secured the highest positions of the Netflix charts in 93 countries. To star in the pioneering animation set in Korea, 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 she lacked when she was young.

Cho says many Korean-Americans have told her it's "such a refreshing moment", making them proud for the first time of their mixed background and cultural roots.

"In my view Korean pop music has genuinely broken barriers. K-beauty has had a significant influence on global appreciation for Korea. But I believe this movie is the one that pushed it further, of, everybody wants to go to Korea, currently," she comments.

But the movie's triumph was not guaranteed and Cho says she felt the team making it were "sometimes facing an uphill battle".

"I feel like it's unfortunate to mention this, but any time there's an Asian-led project, people feel like it's a risk," she says.

So, when she took on the role, she took steps to meet everyone working on the film face-to-face, she says.

The movie was released amid heightened enforcement actions in the US as part of extensive removal policies, which triggered demonstrations in many states.

As an Asian-American residing in America "it's heartbreaking and disappointing," she states. "Newcomers have made America what it is."

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

As an adult, she understood that the prejudice she had encountered when in her youth was largely due to a lack of education, as people didn't know what it signified to be of Asian descent.

"But now, in the modern era, when it seems the world and individuals should know better, it is beyond disappointing and sometimes it appears there's a sense of despair," she expresses.

Because of this, it's particularly meaningful, she says, that the film could bring "hope and joy and love to various groups".

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

The growth of AI is a significant worry for the entertainment sector, raising the possibility that in future it could be used to make a film like the animation.

The actress says she is conscious that AI is already being used to copy performers' vocals, but aims to "maintain faith in people" that audiences will still seek out human-made creativity.

"Sure, I believe they're going to have AI actors and vocalists. I'm aware they already exist. I understand performers' voices are already being manipulated, but I trust the public have some respect and want and love for something real."

The film has also been dominating the global music charts, with seven tracks from its score featured on the prestigious charts. It has its own fan creations, and viewers around the world are calling for a sequel.

She reveals she wishes she could answer the question of if a sequel is planned – but both she and fans will have to wait for the platform or the studio, which made the film, to approve the project.

"I know rumors are circulating, I've heard wonderful things," she says. "Only time will tell, and I believe everyone in the world would riot if it didn't happen."

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