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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 blonde hair, because that's what was beautiful at the time," reveals the actress, who portrayed Rumi in the streaming platform's chart-topping animated film, KPop Demon Hunters.

The performer, 40, recalls her early years in the southern state, as the eldest daughter of Korean immigrant parents and her struggle for acceptance in the United States.

In the movie, which narrates the tale of a girl group who must save the world from evil forces, the protagonist has to come to terms with her true nature as part human, part demon – and when Cho first read the script, this resonated powerfully.

"Being born in America, identifying as American but having people treat me like I'm not, trying to figure out my sense of self as an Korean-American, as a Korean-American, as a female," she explains.

These were all aspects of her formative years that paralleled the character's path.

"Truthfully, at various stages in my life, I hated many parts of me and I wanted to be someone else.

"During childhood, your surroundings shapes your development and I feel like I just didn't see enough people that look like me."

When it launched on Netflix in June, KPop Demon Hunters registered 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 set in Korea, with Asian protagonists, was for her "a dream come true" – but it has also established her as a inspiring figure for Asian-American children, the kind that she lacked when in her youth.

Cho says many Korean-Americans have expressed it's "such a refreshing moment", making them feel pride for the first instance of their mixed background and culture.

"In my view K-Pop really, truly, has paved the way. Korean cosmetics has had a significant influence on global appreciation for Korea. But I feel like this movie is the one that tipped it over the edge, of, everybody wants to go to Korea, currently," she comments.

But the film's success was not guaranteed and Cho admits she felt the team making it were "occasionally struggling against odds".

"It seems it's unfortunate to say this, but any time there's an Asian-led project, people feel like a gamble," she says.

So, when she took on the role, she made an effort to connect with the entire cast and crew in person, she adds.

The movie was launched amid 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," says Cho. "Newcomers have shaped the nation."

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

As an grown-up, Cho came to realise that the prejudice she had encountered when she was younger was largely due to a lack of education, as many were unaware what it meant to be of Asian descent.

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

Due to this, it feels very special, she notes, that the film could bring "hope and joy and love to various groups".

"Perhaps this explains it's sort of like 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, raising the possibility that in coming years it could be used to produce a movie like the animation.

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

"Sure, I'm sure there will be AI actors and vocalists. I know they're already here. I understand performers' voices are already being altered, but I hope the public have some respect and desire for something real."

KPop Demon Hunters has also been dominating the international music rankings, with seven tracks from its soundtrack appearing in the prestigious charts. It has its own fan creations, and audiences globally are demanding a sequel.

She reveals she would like to confirm the question of whether that will happen – but both she and fans will have to wait for the streaming service or the studio, which produced the movie, to approve the project.

"I'm aware rumors are circulating, I've heard wonderful things," she shares. "So we shall see, and I believe fans everywhere would protest if there wasn't."

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