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

"{I disliked that I had Asian features, that I didn't have blue eyes and blonde hair, because those were the beauty standards at the time," says the actress, who voiced Rumi in the streaming platform's chart-topping movie, KPop Demon Hunters.

The performer, 40, recalls her early years in Texas, 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 girl group who must save the world from dark powers, Rumi has to accept her true nature as a hybrid being – and when Cho first saw the screenplay, this resonated powerfully.

"Growing up in the US, feeling American but having others view me like a foreigner, 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 paralleled the character's path.

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

"As kids, what you see influences 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 registered millions of streams in just 14 days, and reached the top 10 of the streaming rankings in dozens of nations. To be part of the first Hollywood animated film set in Korea, with Asian protagonists, was for her "a dream come true" – but it has also made her a powerful role model for Asian-American children, the kind that was missing when she was young.

She says many individuals of Korean descent 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 K-Pop really, truly, has paved the way. K-beauty has had such a big impact on Korea being loved. But I feel like the film is the one that pushed it further, of, inspiring travel to Korea, now," Cho says.

But the film's success was not guaranteed and the actress says she felt the production crew were "sometimes facing an uphill battle".

"I feel like it kind of sucks to mention 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 connect with everyone working on the film face-to-face, she says.

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 person of Asian descent residing in America "it's deeply saddening," says Cho. "Newcomers have made America what it is."

Reports have suggested that up to one hundred fifty thousand Korean immigrants without proper documentation, including adopted children, are among those who could be removed.

As an adult, she understood that the prejudice she had encountered when she was younger stemmed mainly from a knowledge gap, as many were unaware what it meant to be Korean or Asian.

"However today, in this day and age, when it seems the society and people ought to be more informed, it's deeply disheartening and at times it appears we feel so hopeless," she says.

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

"Maybe that's why it's sort of like this movie of the summer, because we just needed positivity and a unifying element all together."

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

Cho acknowledges she is aware that AI is already being used to copy actors' voices, but aims to "have hope in humanity" that individuals will still pursue human-made creativity.

"Certainly, I believe they're going to have digital performers and singers. I'm aware they already exist. I know performers' voices are already being altered, but I trust people have some respect and want and love for authentic creations."

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

Cho tells us 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 production company, 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 think fans everywhere would protest if there wasn't."

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