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

"{I hated that I looked Asian, that I lacked blue eyes and blonde hair, because those were the beauty standards back then," reveals the actress, who portrayed Rumi in Netflix's chart-topping movie, the K-pop themed animation.

Cho, forty, is describing 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 movie, which narrates the tale of a girl group who must rescue humanity from dark powers, the protagonist has to accept her identity as a hybrid being – and when Cho first read the script, this resonated powerfully.

"Being born in America, feeling American but having others view me like a foreigner, trying to figure out my identity as an Korean-American, as a Asian-American, as a woman," she says.

These elements were aspects of her formative years that mirrored Rumi's journey.

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

"As kids, your surroundings shapes who you become and it seems I lacked exposure to enough people that shared my appearance."

When it launched on Netflix in the summer, the animated feature achieved 33 million views in just two weeks, and reached the top 10 of the Netflix charts in dozens of nations. To be part of the first Hollywood animated film with a Korean setting, with Asian protagonists, was for Cho "a dream come true" – but it has also made her a powerful role model for young Asian-Americans, the kind that she lacked when in her youth.

She notes many Korean-Americans have told her it's "such a refreshing moment", 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 a significant influence on Korea being loved. But I believe this movie is the one that pushed it further, of, everybody wants to go to Korea, currently," she comments.

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

"I feel like it kind of sucks to mention this, but whenever there's an production with Asian leads, people feel like it's a risk," she says.

So, when she took on the role, she took steps to connect with the entire cast and crew face-to-face, she adds.

The movie was launched against the backdrop of increased immigration raids in the US as part of extensive removal policies, which triggered demonstrations in many states.

As an Asian-American living in the US "it's heartbreaking and disappointing," 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 deported.

As an adult, she came to realise that the racism she had encountered when she was younger was largely due to a knowledge gap, as people didn't know what it meant to be of Asian descent.

"However today, in the modern era, when I feel like the world and people should know better, it is beyond disappointing and at times it appears we feel so hopeless," she expresses.

Due to this, it feels very special, she says, 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 we just needed some hope and something to unite us all together."

The advancement of artificial intelligence is a significant worry for the film industry, creating the potential that in future it could be used to produce a film like the animation.

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

"Sure, I believe there will be AI actors and vocalists. I know they're already here. I understand our voices are already being manipulated, but I trust the public have some respect and want and love for something real."

KPop Demon Hunters has also been leading the international music rankings, with seven tracks from its score appearing in the prestigious charts. It has its own fan art, and viewers globally are demanding a sequel.

She reveals she wishes she could answer the question of whether that will happen – but both everyone involved will have to wait for the platform or the studio, which produced the movie, to give it the green light.

"I know rumors are circulating, the feedback is positive," she shares. "So we shall see, and I believe everyone in the world would protest if it didn't happen."

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