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

"{I hated that I had Asian features, that I lacked light-colored eyes and fair hair, because those were the beauty standards back then," says the actress, who portrayed the lead character in Netflix's chart-topping animated film, the K-pop themed animation.

Cho, 40, recalls her childhood in the southern state, as the firstborn child of Korean immigrant parents and her struggle for acceptance 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 true nature as a hybrid being – and when she first saw the screenplay, this resonated powerfully.

"Being born in America, identifying as American but having people treat me like I'm not, grappling with my sense of self as an Asian-American, as a Asian-American, as a female," she explains.

These were all aspects of her formative years that paralleled Rumi's journey.

"Truthfully, at various stages in my existence, I hated many parts of me and I wanted to be someone else.

"As kids, what you see influences who you become and I feel like 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 two weeks, and secured the highest positions of the streaming rankings 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 made her a inspiring figure for Asian-American children, the kind that she lacked when in her youth.

She notes many Korean-Americans have told her it's "a breath of fresh air", making them feel pride for the first instance of their mixed background and culture.

"I feel like Korean pop music really, truly, has paved the way. Korean cosmetics has had such a big impact on Korea being loved. But I believe the film is the one that tipped it over the edge, of, inspiring travel to Korea, currently," she comments.

But the film's success was uncertain and the actress says she felt the team making it were "occasionally struggling against odds".

"It seems it kind of sucks to say this, but whenever there's an production with Asian leads, it's perceived like it's a risk," she reveals.

So, when she took on the role, she made an effort to meet everyone working on the film face-to-face, she adds.

The movie was launched amid increased immigration raids in the US as part of extensive removal policies, which sparked protests in numerous regions.

As an person of Asian descent residing in America "it's deeply saddening," says Cho. "Newcomers have shaped the nation."

Reports have suggested that up to 150,000 individuals from Korea lacking legal status, including those who were adopted, are among those who could be deported.

As an adult, she understood that the prejudice she had encountered when in her youth stemmed mainly from a knowledge gap, as many were unaware what it signified to be of Asian descent.

"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 I feel like 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 all these different communities".

"Maybe that's why it became this movie of the summer, because there was a need for some hope and something to unite us as one."

The advancement of artificial intelligence is a major concern for the entertainment sector, raising the possibility that in coming years it could be used to produce a film like the animation.

Cho acknowledges she is conscious that AI is already being used to copy actors' voices, but wants to "have hope in humanity" that individuals will still seek out art created by humans.

"Sure, I'm sure they're going to have AI actors and singers. I know they already exist. I know performers' voices are already being manipulated, but I hope people have appreciation and desire for something real."

KPop Demon Hunters has also been dominating the global music charts, with seven tracks from its score featured on the prestigious charts. It has its own fan creations, and viewers around the world are demanding a sequel.

She tells us she wishes she could answer the inquiry of if a sequel is planned – but both everyone involved will have to await the streaming service 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. "Only time will tell, and I think fans everywhere would protest if it didn't happen."

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