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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 lacked light-colored eyes and blonde hair, because those were the beauty standards back then," reveals the actress, who voiced Rumi in the streaming platform's highly successful movie, KPop Demon Hunters.

Cho, forty, recalls her childhood in the southern state, as the firstborn child of Korean immigrant parents and her journey toward belonging in the United States.

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

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

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

"Truthfully, at various stages in my life, I despised a lot of myself and I longed to become a different person.

"During childhood, what you see shapes your development and it seems I lacked exposure to sufficient individuals that shared my appearance."

When it debuted on the platform in the summer, the animated feature registered 33 million views in just two weeks, and secured the highest positions of the streaming rankings in 93 countries. To star in the first Hollywood animated film set in Korea, with Asian protagonists, was for Cho "an aspiration realized" – but it has also made her a inspiring figure for Asian-American children, the kind that she lacked when in her youth.

She notes many individuals of Korean descent have expressed it's "a breath of fresh air", making them feel pride 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 believe this movie is the one that pushed it further, of, inspiring travel to Korea, currently," she comments.

But the film's success was not guaranteed and Cho says she felt the production crew were "occasionally struggling against odds".

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

So, when she took on the role, she made an effort to meet the entire cast and crew in person, she adds.

The movie was released against the backdrop of heightened enforcement actions in the United States as part of extensive removal policies, which triggered demonstrations in numerous regions.

As an person of Asian descent living in the US "it's deeply saddening," she states. "Newcomers have shaped the nation."

Korean news sources have estimated that up to 150,000 Korean immigrants without proper documentation, including those who were adopted, are among those who could be deported.

As an grown-up, Cho understood that the racism she had experienced when in her youth stemmed mainly from a lack of education, as many were unaware what it signified to be of Asian descent.

"But now, in the modern era, when I feel like the society and people ought to be more informed, it's deeply disheartening and sometimes it appears there's a sense of despair," she says.

Because of this, it feels very special, she notes, that KPop Demon Hunters could bring "hope and joy and love to various groups".

"Maybe that's why it's sort of like this movie of the summer, because there was a need for positivity and a unifying element as one."

The advancement of artificial intelligence is a significant worry for the film industry, raising the possibility that in coming years it could be used to make a movie like KPop Demon Hunters.

Cho says she is aware that technology is already being used to replicate performers' vocals, but wants to "maintain faith in people" that audiences will still pursue human-made creativity.

"Certainly, I'm sure they're going to have digital performers and singers. I know they're already here. I understand performers' voices are already being altered, but I hope people have some respect and desire for something real."

KPop Demon Hunters 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 question of whether that will happen – but both she and fans will have to await the streaming service or the studio, which made the film, to approve the project.

"I'm aware 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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