🔗 Share this article

This feature delves into extraordinary interviews and narratives from worldwide.

"{I hated that I looked Asian, that I lacked light-colored eyes and blonde hair, because that's what was beautiful at the time," says the actress, who portrayed the lead character in Netflix's highly successful movie, the K-pop themed animation.

Cho, forty, is describing her early years in the southern state, as the eldest daughter 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, the protagonist has to accept her true nature as part human, part demon – and when Cho first read the script, this struck a deep chord.

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

These elements were components of her formative years that mirrored Rumi's journey.

"Truthfully, at different points in my existence, I despised a lot of myself and I longed to become someone else.

"During childhood, your surroundings shapes who you become and it seems I just didn't see 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 secured the highest positions of the streaming rankings in 93 countries. To be part of the first Hollywood animated film with a Korean setting, with Asian protagonists, was for her "a dream come true" – but it has also made her a inspiring figure for young Asian-Americans, the type that she lacked when she was young.

Cho says many individuals of Korean descent have expressed it's "a breath of fresh air", 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. Korean cosmetics has had such a big impact on Korea being loved. But I believe this movie is the one that tipped it over the edge, of, inspiring travel to Korea, now," Cho says.

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

"It seems 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 made an effort to meet everyone working on the film in person, she adds.

The movie was launched against the backdrop of heightened enforcement actions in the US as part of mass deportation efforts, which sparked protests in numerous regions.

As an person of Asian descent residing in America "it's deeply saddening," she states. "Immigrants have made America what it is."

Korean news sources have estimated that up to one hundred fifty thousand individuals from Korea lacking legal status, including those who were adopted, are among those who could be deported.

As an grown-up, she understood that the prejudice she had encountered when she was younger was largely due to a knowledge gap, as many were unaware what it signified to be Korean or Asian.

"However today, in the modern era, when I feel like the world and individuals should know better, it is beyond disappointing and sometimes I feel like we feel so hopeless," she says.

Due to this, it's particularly meaningful, she notes, that KPop Demon Hunters could bring "optimism and happiness to all these different communities".

"Maybe that's why it became the season's hit film, because there was a need for positivity and something to unite us all together."

The growth of AI is a major concern for the film industry, raising the possibility that in future it could be used to make a film like the animation.

The actress acknowledges she is conscious that technology is already being used to copy actors' voices, but aims to "maintain faith in people" that audiences will still seek out art created by humans.

"Certainly, I'm sure they're going to have AI actors and vocalists. I'm aware they already exist. I understand our voices are already being altered, but I hope the public have appreciation and desire for something real."

KPop Demon Hunters has also been dominating the global music charts, with multiple songs from its soundtrack appearing in the prestigious charts. It has its own fan creations, and viewers globally are demanding a follow-up.

She tells us she wishes she could answer the inquiry of if a sequel is planned – but both she and fans will have to await the platform or the production company, which made the film, to approve the project.

"I'm aware there's lots of murmurs, the feedback is positive," she says. "Only time will tell, and I think fans everywhere would riot if it didn't happen."

• Initiating discussions, building connections and challenging misinformation through articles, in-depth reports, interviews and extraordinary stories