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

"{I hated that I looked Asian, that I lacked light-colored eyes and fair hair, because those were the beauty standards at the time," says the actress, who portrayed the lead character in the streaming platform's chart-topping movie, the K-pop themed animation.

Cho, forty, recalls her childhood in Texas, as the eldest daughter 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 rescue humanity from evil forces, the protagonist has to accept her identity as a hybrid being – and when Cho first read the script, this resonated powerfully.

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

These were all aspects of her early life that paralleled Rumi's journey.

"Truthfully, at different points in my existence, I despised a lot of myself and I wanted to be a different person.

"As kids, your surroundings shapes who you become and it seems I lacked exposure to sufficient individuals that shared my appearance."

When it debuted on the platform in the summer, the animated feature registered 33 million views in just 14 days, and secured the highest positions of the streaming rankings in dozens of nations. To star in the pioneering animation set in Korea, with Asian protagonists, was for her "an aspiration realized" – but it has also made her a powerful role model for young Asian-Americans, the type that was missing when in her youth.

Cho notes many Korean-Americans have told her it's "such a refreshing moment", making them feel pride for the first instance of their dual heritage and culture.

"I feel like K-Pop really, truly, has paved the way. K-beauty has had a significant influence on Korea being loved. But I believe this movie is the one that tipped it over the edge, of, inspiring travel to Korea, now," 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 say this, but whenever there's an production with Asian leads, people feel like it's a risk," she says.

So, when she took on the role, she took steps to meet everyone working on the film in person, she adds.

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

As an person of Asian descent living in the US "it's heartbreaking and disappointing," says Cho. "Immigrants have made America what it is."

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 grown-up, she came to realise that the prejudice she had experienced 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 it seems the world and individuals ought to be more informed, it is beyond disappointing and at times it appears we feel so hopeless," she expresses.

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

"Perhaps this explains it's sort of like the season's hit film, because there was a need for some hope and something to unite us all together."

The growth of AI is a significant worry for the entertainment sector, raising the possibility that in coming years it could be used to make a film like KPop Demon Hunters.

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

"Certainly, I'm sure there will be AI actors and singers. I'm aware they already exist. I know our voices are already being manipulated, but I hope people have appreciation and want and love for authentic creations."

KPop Demon Hunters has also been dominating the international music rankings, with seven tracks from its score featured on the Billboard Hot 100. It has its own fan creations, and viewers globally are calling for a sequel.

She reveals she wishes she could answer the question of whether that will happen – but both everyone involved will have to await the streaming service or the production company, 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 fans everywhere would riot if there wasn't."

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