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

"{I disliked that I looked Asian, that I lacked blue eyes and fair hair, because those were the beauty standards back then," reveals the actress, who portrayed the lead character in the streaming platform's highly successful movie, KPop Demon Hunters.

Cho, 40, is describing her childhood in Texas, as the eldest daughter of parents who emigrated from Korea and her struggle for acceptance in American society.

In the film, which narrates the tale of a girl group who must save the world from dark powers, Rumi has to come to terms with her identity as a hybrid being – and when she first read the script, this struck a deep chord.

"Growing up in the US, identifying as American but having others view me like a foreigner, trying to figure out my sense of self as an Korean-American, as a Korean-American, as a woman," she says.

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

"I can honestly say, at various stages in my life, I despised many parts of me and I wanted to be a different person.

"During childhood, your surroundings influences who you become and I feel like I lacked exposure to sufficient individuals that look like me."

When it launched on Netflix in the summer, KPop Demon Hunters registered 33 million views in just two weeks, and reached the top 10 of the Netflix charts in 93 countries. To be part of the first Hollywood animated film set in Korea, with Korean leads, was for Cho "a dream come true" – but it has also established her as a powerful role model for young Asian-Americans, the kind that she lacked when she was young.

She notes many individuals of Korean descent 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. K-beauty has had such a big impact on Korea being loved. But I believe this movie is the one that pushed it further, of, everybody wants to go to Korea, now," she comments.

But the movie's triumph was not guaranteed and the actress admits she felt the team making it were "occasionally struggling against odds".

"I feel like it kind of sucks to mention this, but any time there's an production with Asian leads, it's perceived like it's a risk," 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 launched amid heightened enforcement actions 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. "Newcomers have made America what it is."

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

As an adult, Cho understood that the racism she had experienced when in her youth stemmed mainly from a lack of education, as people didn't know what it signified to be of Asian descent.

"However today, in this day and age, when it seems the world and people ought to be more informed, it is beyond disappointing and at times it appears we feel so hopeless," she expresses.

Because of this, it feels very special, she says, that KPop Demon Hunters could bring "optimism and happiness to various groups".

"Maybe that's why it became the season's hit film, because there was a need for positivity and a unifying element as one."

The advancement of artificial intelligence is a significant worry for the entertainment sector, raising the possibility that in coming years it could be used to make a movie like the animation.

The actress says she is conscious that technology is already being used to copy performers' vocals, but wants to "maintain faith in people" that audiences will still seek out human-made creativity.

"Sure, I'm sure there will be AI actors and singers. I'm aware they already exist. I understand performers' voices are already being altered, but I trust the public have some respect and want and love for something real."

The film has also been dominating the international music rankings, with multiple songs from its score appearing in the Billboard Hot 100. It has its own fan creations, and viewers globally are calling for a follow-up.

She tells us she would like to confirm the question of if a sequel is planned – but both everyone involved will have to await the streaming service or the studio, which made the film, to approve the project.

"I'm aware there's lots of murmurs, I've heard wonderful things," she says. "So we shall see, and I think everyone in the world would protest if there wasn't."

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