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

"{I disliked that I had Asian features, that I lacked blue eyes and fair hair, because that's what was beautiful back then," says the actress, who portrayed Rumi in Netflix's chart-topping movie, the K-pop themed animation.

Cho, forty, recalls her childhood in Texas, as the firstborn child 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 identity as a hybrid being – and when she first saw the screenplay, this struck a deep chord.

"Being born in America, feeling American but having people treat me like I'm not, grappling with my identity as an Asian-American, as a Asian-American, as a woman," she says.

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

"Truthfully, at different points in my existence, I despised many parts of me and I longed to become a different person.

"As kids, your surroundings influences who you become and it seems I just didn't see enough people that look like me."

When it debuted on the platform in June, KPop Demon Hunters achieved 33 million views in just 14 days, and reached the highest positions of the Netflix charts in 93 countries. To star in the pioneering animation set in Korea, with Korean leads, was for her "an aspiration realized" – but it has also made her a inspiring figure for Asian-American children, the kind that was missing when she was young.

Cho says many Korean-Americans have expressed it's "a breath of fresh air", making them proud for the first instance of their dual heritage and culture.

"In my view Korean pop music really, truly, has paved the way. Korean cosmetics has had a significant influence 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 movie's triumph was not guaranteed and the actress says she felt the team making it were "sometimes facing an uphill battle".

"I feel like it kind of sucks to mention this, but whenever there's an Asian-led project, it's perceived like a gamble," she reveals.

So, when she accepted the part, she took steps to connect with the entire cast and crew face-to-face, she says.

The film was released amid increased immigration raids in the US as part of mass deportation efforts, which sparked protests in many states.

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

Reports have estimated that up to 150,000 individuals from Korea without proper documentation, including those who were adopted, are among those who could be removed.

As an grown-up, Cho understood that the racism 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.

"But now, in the modern era, when I feel like the society and people ought to be more informed, it's deeply disheartening and sometimes I feel like we feel so hopeless," she expresses.

Due to this, it's particularly meaningful, she notes, that the film could bring "optimism and happiness to various groups".

"Perhaps this explains it became the season's hit film, 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 future it could be used to make a film like the animation.

Cho acknowledges she is conscious that AI is already being used to copy performers' vocals, but wants to "have hope in humanity" that individuals will still seek out human-made creativity.

"Sure, I'm sure they're going to have AI actors and singers. I know they're already here. I know our voices are already being altered, but I trust the public have some respect and desire for something real."

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 audiences around the world are demanding a follow-up.

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

"I know there's lots of murmurs, the feedback is positive," she says. "So we shall see, and I believe everyone in the world would protest if it didn't happen."

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