🔗 Share this article

This exclusive piece delves into remarkable conversations and stories from around the globe.

"{I disliked that I looked Asian, that I didn't have blue eyes and blonde hair, because those were the beauty standards back then," reveals the actress, who portrayed Rumi in Netflix's highly successful animated film, the K-pop themed animation.

Cho, 40, recalls her childhood in the southern state, as the firstborn child of parents who emigrated from Korea and her journey toward belonging in the United States.

In the movie, which narrates the tale of a female K-Pop trio who must save the world from dark powers, Rumi has to come to terms with her true nature as a hybrid being – and when she first read the script, this struck a deep chord.

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

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

"I can honestly say, at different points in my existence, I hated a lot of myself and I wanted to be a different person.

"During childhood, your surroundings influences your development 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 achieved 33 million views in just 14 days, and reached the highest positions of the streaming rankings in dozens of nations. To be part of the pioneering animation set in Korea, with Korean leads, was for Cho "a dream come true" – but it has also made her a powerful role model for Asian-American children, the type that she lacked when in her youth.

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.

"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 believe this movie is the one that pushed it further, of, everybody wants to go to Korea, now," she comments.

But the film's success was uncertain and Cho says she felt the production crew were "sometimes facing an uphill battle".

"It seems it kind of sucks to say this, but whenever there's an Asian-led project, people feel like it's a risk," she says.

So, when she accepted the part, she took steps to connect with the entire cast and crew face-to-face, she adds.

The film was launched against the backdrop of increased immigration raids in the US as part of mass deportation efforts, which triggered demonstrations in numerous regions.

As an Asian-American residing in America "it's deeply saddening," says Cho. "Newcomers have made America what it is."

Reports have suggested 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 adult, she came to realise that the prejudice she had experienced when she was younger was largely due to a knowledge gap, as people didn't know what it meant to be of Asian descent.

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

Because of this, it feels very special, she says, that the film could bring "hope and joy and love to all these different communities".

"Perhaps this explains it became the season's hit film, because we just needed positivity and something to unite us as one."

The advancement of artificial intelligence is a major concern for the entertainment sector, raising the possibility that in future it could be used to produce a film like KPop Demon Hunters.

The actress says she is aware that technology is already being used to copy performers' vocals, but wants to "have hope in humanity" that audiences will still pursue human-made creativity.

"Sure, I believe there will be AI actors and singers. I know they already exist. I understand performers' voices are already being altered, but I hope people have some respect and desire for authentic creations."

KPop Demon Hunters has also been leading the global music charts, with seven tracks from its soundtrack appearing in the prestigious charts. It has its own fan art, and audiences around the world are demanding a follow-up.

She tells us she wishes she could answer the question of whether that will happen – but both she and fans will have to await the streaming service or the studio, which produced the movie, to give it the green light.

"I'm aware rumors are circulating, the feedback is positive," she shares. "So we shall see, and I believe everyone in the world would protest if there wasn't."

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