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This feature explores extraordinary interviews and narratives from around the globe.

"{I hated that I had Asian features, that I didn't have light-colored eyes and fair hair, because that's what was beautiful at the time," says the actress, who voiced Rumi in the streaming platform's highly successful movie, the K-pop themed animation.

The performer, 40, recalls her childhood in the southern state, as the firstborn child of Korean immigrant parents and her journey toward belonging in the United States.

In the movie, which tells the story 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 she first saw the screenplay, this struck a deep chord.

"Growing up in the US, identifying as 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 woman," she says.

These elements were components of her formative years that mirrored the character's path.

"I can honestly say, at different points in my life, I despised a lot of myself and I longed to become a different person.

"During childhood, your surroundings shapes who you become and it seems I just didn't see enough people that shared my appearance."

When it debuted on the platform in the summer, the animated feature registered millions of streams in just two weeks, and secured the top 10 of the streaming rankings in dozens of nations. To be part of the first Hollywood animated film set in Korea, with Korean leads, was for Cho "an aspiration realized" – but it has also established her as a powerful role model for young Asian-Americans, the kind that was missing when she was young.

She notes many individuals of Korean descent have told her it's "such a refreshing moment", making them feel pride for the first time of their dual heritage and cultural roots.

"I feel like Korean pop music really, truly, has paved the way. Korean cosmetics has had such a big impact on global appreciation for Korea. But I feel like this movie is the one that pushed it further, of, everybody wants to go to Korea, now," Cho says.

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

"It seems it kind of sucks to mention this, but any time there's an Asian-led project, people feel like a gamble," she reveals.

So, when she accepted the part, she took steps to meet everyone working on the film face-to-face, she says.

The film was released against the backdrop of increased immigration raids in the US as part of extensive removal policies, which sparked protests in many states.

As an Asian-American residing in America "it's deeply saddening," she states. "Newcomers have made America what it is."

Reports have suggested that up to one hundred fifty thousand individuals from Korea without proper documentation, including those who were adopted, are among those who could be deported.

As an adult, Cho came to realise that the prejudice she had encountered when in her youth stemmed mainly from a lack of education, as many were unaware what it signified to be Korean or Asian.

"But now, in the modern era, when I feel like the world and people should know better, it's deeply disheartening and sometimes I feel like we feel so hopeless," 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".

"Maybe that's why it's sort of like this movie of the summer, because we just needed some hope and a unifying element as one."

The advancement of artificial intelligence is a major concern for the entertainment sector, creating the potential that in coming years it could be used to produce a movie like KPop Demon Hunters.

The actress says she is aware that AI is already being used to copy actors' voices, but aims to "have hope in humanity" that audiences will still seek out art created by humans.

"Sure, I believe there will be digital performers and vocalists. I know they already exist. I know our voices are already being manipulated, but I trust people have appreciation and want and love for something real."

KPop Demon Hunters has also been dominating the global music charts, with multiple songs from its score appearing in the prestigious charts. It has its own fan creations, and audiences globally are calling for a sequel.

She reveals she wishes she could answer the inquiry of whether that will happen – but both she and fans will have to await the platform or the studio, which produced the movie, to approve the project.

"I know there's lots of murmurs, the feedback is positive," she says. "So we shall see, and I think fans everywhere would riot if it didn't happen."

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