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

"{I hated that I had Asian features, that I lacked blue eyes and fair hair, because those were the beauty standards at the time," 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 eldest daughter of parents who emigrated from Korea and her journey toward belonging in American society.

In the movie, which narrates the tale of a girl group who must save the world from dark powers, Rumi has to come to terms with her true nature as part human, part demon – and when Cho first saw the screenplay, this resonated powerfully.

"Being born in America, feeling American but having people treat me like I'm not, grappling with my identity as an Asian-American, as a Korean-American, as a woman," she says.

These were all aspects of her early life that paralleled Rumi's journey.

"I can honestly say, at various stages in my existence, I hated many parts of me and I longed to become a different person.

"During childhood, your surroundings influences your development and I feel like I lacked exposure to enough people that shared my appearance."

When it debuted on the platform in the summer, the animated feature achieved millions of streams in just 14 days, and secured the highest positions of the streaming rankings in 93 countries. To be part of the pioneering animation set in Korea, with Korean leads, was for her "an aspiration realized" – but it has also made her a powerful role model for young Asian-Americans, the type that she lacked when she was young.

She says many Korean-Americans have expressed it's "a breath of fresh air", making them feel pride for the first time of their mixed background and cultural roots.

"I feel like K-Pop really, truly, has paved the way. 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, inspiring travel to Korea, currently," she comments.

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

"It seems it kind of sucks to say this, but whenever there's an Asian-led project, people feel like a gamble," she says.

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

The film was released against the backdrop of increased immigration raids in the United States as part of mass deportation efforts, which triggered demonstrations in many states.

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

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

As an adult, Cho came to realise that the prejudice she had encountered when she was younger stemmed mainly from a lack of education, as people didn't know what it meant to be of Asian descent.

"But now, in this day and age, when I feel like the world and people ought to be more informed, it is beyond disappointing and sometimes I feel like there's a sense of despair," she says.

Due to this, it feels very special, she notes, that KPop Demon Hunters could bring "optimism and happiness to various groups".

"Maybe that's why it became this movie of the summer, because we just needed some hope and something to unite us as one."

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

Cho says she is conscious that AI is already being used to copy performers' vocals, but wants to "have hope in humanity" that audiences will still seek out human-made creativity.

"Sure, I believe there will be digital performers and singers. I'm aware they're already here. I understand performers' voices are already being altered, but I hope the public have some respect and desire for authentic creations."

KPop Demon Hunters has also been leading the international music rankings, with multiple songs from its soundtrack featured on the Billboard Hot 100. It has its own fan art, and viewers around the world are demanding a follow-up.

She reveals she would like to confirm the inquiry of if a sequel is planned – but both she and fans will have to wait for the streaming service or the production company, which made the film, to approve the project.

"I'm aware there's lots of murmurs, the feedback is positive," she shares. "So we shall see, and I think everyone in the world would protest if there wasn't."

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