🔗 Share this article

This feature delves into extraordinary interviews and stories from worldwide.

"{I disliked that I had Asian features, that I didn't have blue eyes and fair hair, because those were the beauty standards at the time," reveals the actress, who voiced the lead character in the streaming platform's chart-topping movie, the K-pop themed animation.

Cho, forty, recalls her early years in the southern state, as the firstborn child of parents who emigrated from Korea and her struggle for acceptance in American society.

In the film, which tells the story of a female K-Pop trio who must save the world from dark powers, the protagonist has to come to terms with her true nature as a hybrid being – and when Cho first read the script, this resonated powerfully.

"Being born in America, feeling American but having people treat me like a foreigner, trying to figure out my identity as an Korean-American, as a Asian-American, as a female," she explains.

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

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

"As kids, your surroundings shapes who you become and I feel like I just didn't see enough people that shared my appearance."

When it launched on Netflix in June, KPop Demon Hunters registered 33 million views in just 14 days, and reached the top 10 of the Netflix charts in dozens of nations. To be part of the pioneering animation 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 told her it's "a breath of fresh air", making them proud for the first instance of their mixed background and cultural roots.

"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 tipped it over the edge, of, inspiring travel to Korea, currently," she comments.

But the movie's triumph was uncertain and the actress admits she felt the production crew were "sometimes facing an uphill battle".

"I feel like it kind of sucks to mention this, but any time there's an production with Asian leads, it's perceived like a gamble," she reveals.

So, when she took on the role, she made an effort to meet everyone working on the film in person, she says.

The movie was released amid heightened enforcement actions in the United States as part of extensive removal policies, which sparked protests in numerous regions.

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

Korean news sources have suggested that up to 150,000 Korean immigrants without proper documentation, including adopted children, are among those who could be deported.

As an adult, she came to realise that the racism she had encountered when she was younger was largely due to a lack of education, as people didn't know what it signified to be Korean or Asian.

"However today, in this day and age, when it seems the society and individuals should know better, it is beyond disappointing and sometimes it appears there's a sense of despair," she expresses.

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

"Maybe that's why it became the season's hit film, because we just needed some hope and something to unite us as one."

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

Cho says she is conscious that technology is already being used to replicate performers' vocals, but aims to "maintain faith in people" that individuals will still pursue art created by humans.

"Certainly, I'm sure there will be digital performers and singers. I'm aware they're already here. I know performers' voices are already being altered, but I trust people have some respect and want and love for authentic creations."

The film has also been dominating the international music rankings, with multiple songs from its score featured on the Billboard Hot 100. It has its own fan art, and audiences globally are demanding a sequel.

Cho tells us she wishes she could answer the inquiry of if a sequel is planned – but both everyone involved will have to await the platform or the studio, which produced the movie, to give it the green light.

"I know there's lots of murmurs, I've heard wonderful things," she says. "Only time will tell, and I think fans everywhere would protest if there wasn't."

• Starting conversations, fostering relationships and combating false narratives through features, in-depth reports, conversations and extraordinary stories