🔗 Share this article

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

"{I disliked that I looked Asian, that I lacked blue eyes and blonde hair, because that's what was beautiful back then," reveals the actress, who voiced Rumi in the streaming platform's highly successful animated film, the K-pop themed animation.

Cho, 40, recalls 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 tells the story of a girl group who must rescue humanity from dark powers, Rumi has to come to terms with her true nature as a hybrid being – and when Cho first read the script, 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 Korean-American, as a woman," she says.

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

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

"As kids, your surroundings shapes who you become and I feel like I lacked exposure to enough people that look like me."

When it launched on Netflix in the summer, KPop Demon Hunters registered millions of streams in just 14 days, and reached 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 her "a dream come true" – but it has also made her a inspiring figure for Asian-American children, the type that she lacked when she was young.

Cho notes many individuals of Korean descent have expressed it's "a breath of fresh air", making them feel pride for the first instance of their mixed background and cultural roots.

"In my view K-Pop has genuinely broken barriers. K-beauty has had a significant influence on Korea being loved. But I believe the film is the one that tipped it over the edge, of, inspiring travel to Korea, now," Cho says.

But the film's success was uncertain and Cho admits she felt the production crew were "occasionally struggling against odds".

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

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

The movie was launched amid increased immigration raids in the US as part of mass deportation efforts, which sparked protests in many states.

As an person of Asian descent living in the US "it's deeply saddening," says Cho. "Immigrants have shaped the nation."

Reports have suggested that up to one hundred fifty thousand individuals from Korea lacking legal status, including adopted children, are among those who could be deported.

As an adult, she understood 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 it seems the world and individuals should know better, it's deeply disheartening and at times it appears there's a sense of despair," she says.

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

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

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 produce a movie like the animation.

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

"Certainly, I believe there will be digital performers and vocalists. I'm aware they already exist. I understand our voices are already being altered, but I hope the public have appreciation and desire for something real."

KPop Demon Hunters has also been leading the international music rankings, with seven tracks from its score appearing in the Billboard Hot 100. It has its own fan art, and audiences globally are calling for a follow-up.

She tells us she would like to confirm the question of whether that will happen – but both everyone involved will have to wait for the streaming service or the production company, which made the film, to give it the green light.

"I'm aware rumors are circulating, the feedback is positive," she says. "Only time will tell, and I believe fans everywhere would riot if it didn't happen."

• Initiating discussions, building connections and challenging misinformation through features, in-depth reports, interviews and remarkable accounts