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This exclusive piece delves into extraordinary interviews and stories from worldwide.

"{I hated that I had Asian features, that I didn't have light-colored eyes and fair hair, because that's what was beautiful back then," says the actress, who portrayed Rumi in the streaming platform's chart-topping movie, KPop Demon Hunters.

The performer, forty, is describing her childhood in Texas, as the firstborn child of parents who emigrated from Korea and her struggle for acceptance 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 identity as part human, part demon – and when Cho first saw the screenplay, this struck a deep chord.

"Being born in America, feeling American but having others view me like I'm not, trying to figure out my sense of self as an Asian-American, as a Asian-American, as a female," she explains.

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

"I can honestly say, at various stages in my life, I despised a lot of myself and I longed to become someone else.

"As kids, what you see shapes who you become and I feel like I lacked exposure to enough people that shared my appearance."

When it launched on Netflix in June, the animated feature achieved millions of streams in just 14 days, and secured the highest positions of the Netflix charts in dozens of nations. To star in the pioneering animation with a Korean setting, with Asian protagonists, was for Cho "a dream come true" – but it has also established her as a inspiring figure for young Asian-Americans, the kind that was missing when in her youth.

Cho 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.

"I feel like Korean pop music really, truly, has paved the way. K-beauty has had a significant influence on global appreciation for Korea. But I feel like this movie is the one that tipped it over the edge, of, inspiring travel to Korea, currently," Cho says.

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

"It seems it's unfortunate to mention this, but any time there's an production with Asian leads, it's perceived like a gamble," she says.

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

The film was released amid increased immigration raids in the United States as part of extensive removal policies, which sparked protests in many states.

As an person of Asian descent residing in America "it's deeply saddening," she states. "Immigrants have shaped the nation."

Korean news sources have estimated that up to 150,000 Korean immigrants lacking legal status, including adopted children, are among those who could be removed.

As an grown-up, Cho came to realise that the prejudice she had encountered when she was younger stemmed mainly from a knowledge gap, as many were unaware what it signified to be of Asian descent.

"But now, in the modern era, when I feel like the world and individuals should know better, it's deeply disheartening and at times I feel like there's a sense of despair," she expresses.

Due to this, it feels very special, she says, that the film could bring "hope and joy and love to all these different communities".

"Perhaps this explains it's sort of like the season's hit film, because we just needed positivity and something to unite us all together."

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

Cho acknowledges she is conscious that AI is already being used to replicate actors' voices, but aims to "have hope in humanity" that audiences will still seek out human-made creativity.

"Certainly, I'm sure they're going to have digital performers and vocalists. I'm aware they already exist. I understand performers' voices are already being altered, but I hope people have some respect and want and love for authentic creations."

The film has also been leading the global music charts, with multiple songs from its score featured on the prestigious charts. It has its own fan creations, and audiences around the world are demanding a follow-up.

Cho reveals she wishes she could answer the inquiry of whether that will happen – but both everyone involved will have to wait for the platform or the studio, which made the film, to approve the project.

"I know there's lots of murmurs, I've heard wonderful things," she shares. "Only time will tell, and I believe everyone in the world would protest if it didn't happen."

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