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This exclusive piece explores extraordinary interviews and narratives from worldwide.

"{I disliked that I looked Asian, that I didn't have blue eyes and blonde hair, because that's what was beautiful at the time," reveals the actress, who voiced the lead character in the streaming platform's highly successful movie, the K-pop themed animation.

The performer, forty, recalls her childhood in the southern state, as the eldest daughter of Korean immigrant parents and her journey toward belonging in American society.

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 true nature as part human, part demon – and when she first read the script, this resonated powerfully.

"Being born in America, feeling American but having people treat me like I'm not, trying to figure out my identity as an Asian-American, as a Korean-American, as a woman," she explains.

These elements were components of her early life that paralleled the character's path.

"Truthfully, at different points in my existence, I hated many parts of me and I longed to become someone else.

"As kids, what you see shapes your development and it seems I just didn't see sufficient individuals that shared my appearance."

When it launched on Netflix in the summer, KPop Demon Hunters achieved millions of streams in just 14 days, and reached the top 10 of the Netflix charts in 93 countries. To be part of 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 Asian-American children, the type that was missing when in her youth.

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

"I feel like K-Pop 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," Cho says.

But the movie's triumph was not guaranteed and the actress says she felt the production crew were "occasionally struggling against odds".

"I feel like it's unfortunate to say this, but whenever there's an Asian-led project, 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 face-to-face, she adds.

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 numerous regions.

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

Korean news sources have suggested that up to one hundred fifty thousand individuals from Korea lacking legal status, including those who were adopted, are among those who could be deported.

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

"However today, in the modern era, when I feel like the society and individuals ought to be more informed, it's deeply disheartening and sometimes it appears there's a sense of despair," she says.

Because of 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 a unifying element all together."

The growth of AI is a major concern for the film industry, raising the possibility that in future it could be used to produce a film like the animation.

The actress acknowledges she is conscious that technology is already being used to replicate actors' voices, but wants to "have hope in humanity" that individuals will still pursue art created by humans.

"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 trust the public have appreciation 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 Billboard Hot 100. It has its own fan creations, and audiences globally are demanding a sequel.

She reveals she wishes she could answer the inquiry of if a sequel is planned – but both everyone involved will have to await the platform or the production company, which made the film, to give it the green light.

"I'm aware there's lots of murmurs, the feedback is positive," she says. "Only time will tell, and I believe fans everywhere would riot if it didn't happen."

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