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

"{I disliked that I had Asian features, that I lacked blue eyes and fair hair, because those were the beauty standards back then," says the actress, who portrayed the lead character in Netflix's chart-topping animated film, the K-pop themed animation.

Cho, 40, recalls her childhood in Texas, 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 female K-Pop trio who must rescue humanity from dark powers, the protagonist has to accept her true nature as part human, part demon – and when Cho first saw the screenplay, this resonated powerfully.

"Growing up in the US, identifying as American but having others view 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 says.

These elements were components of her early life that mirrored the character's path.

"I can honestly say, at various stages in my existence, I despised a lot of myself and I longed to become someone else.

"During childhood, what you see influences your development and it seems I just didn't see enough people that look like me."

When it debuted on the platform in the summer, KPop Demon Hunters registered millions of streams in just two weeks, and secured the highest positions 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 established her as a inspiring figure for Asian-American children, the type that was missing when she was young.

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

"I feel like Korean pop music really, truly, has paved the way. K-beauty has had such a big impact on global appreciation for Korea. But I believe this movie is the one that pushed it further, of, inspiring travel to Korea, currently," she comments.

But the movie's triumph was uncertain and the actress says she felt the production crew were "occasionally struggling against odds".

"It seems it kind of sucks to say this, but whenever there's an production with Asian leads, people feel like a gamble," she reveals.

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

The film was released amid heightened enforcement actions in the US as part of mass deportation efforts, which triggered demonstrations in numerous regions.

As an Asian-American living in the US "it's heartbreaking and disappointing," she states. "Immigrants have made America what it is."

Korean news sources have suggested that up to one hundred fifty thousand Korean immigrants without proper documentation, including those who were adopted, are among those who could be deported.

As an adult, she came to realise that the prejudice she had encountered when in her youth stemmed mainly from a knowledge gap, as many were unaware what it signified to be of Asian descent.

"However today, in this day and age, when I feel like the world and people ought to be more informed, it is beyond disappointing and at times it appears there's a sense of despair," she says.

Because of this, it feels very special, she notes, that KPop Demon Hunters could bring "hope and joy and love to various groups".

"Perhaps this explains it became the season's hit film, because there was a need for some hope and a unifying element as one."

The advancement of artificial intelligence is a significant worry for the entertainment sector, raising the possibility that in future it could be used to make a film like the animation.

Cho says she is conscious that technology is already being used to replicate actors' voices, but wants to "have hope in humanity" that audiences will still seek out human-made creativity.

"Sure, I believe there will be AI actors and singers. I know they already exist. I know our voices are already being manipulated, but I hope people have some respect and want and love for something real."

The film has also been leading the global music charts, with multiple songs from its score appearing in the prestigious charts. It has its own fan creations, and viewers around the world are demanding a sequel.

She reveals she would like to confirm the inquiry of whether that will happen – but both she and fans will have to wait for the streaming service or the studio, which made the film, to give it the green light.

"I know there's lots of murmurs, the feedback is positive," she says. "So we shall see, and I believe everyone in the world would protest if it didn't happen."

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