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This feature delves into extraordinary interviews and narratives from worldwide.

"{I disliked that I looked Asian, that I lacked light-colored eyes and fair hair, because that's what was beautiful back then," reveals the actress, who portrayed Rumi in the streaming platform's highly successful animated film, KPop Demon Hunters.

Cho, forty, is describing her early years in Texas, as the firstborn child of Korean immigrant parents and her journey toward belonging in the United States.

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 she first saw the screenplay, this resonated powerfully.

"Growing up in the US, feeling American but having others view me like I'm not, grappling with my sense of self as an Asian-American, as a Korean-American, as a female," she explains.

These elements were aspects of her early life that mirrored Rumi's journey.

"Truthfully, at various stages in my existence, I despised many parts of me and I longed to become a different person.

"As kids, what you see influences who you become and it seems I just didn't see sufficient individuals that shared my appearance."

When it launched on Netflix in June, KPop Demon Hunters registered 33 million views in just 14 days, and secured the highest positions of the streaming rankings in 93 countries. To be part of the first Hollywood animated film set in Korea, with Korean leads, was for her "an aspiration realized" – but it has also established her as a powerful role model for young Asian-Americans, the type that was missing when she was young.

Cho notes many Korean-Americans have expressed it's "a breath of fresh air", making them proud for the first time of their mixed background and cultural roots.

"In my view K-Pop has genuinely broken barriers. K-beauty has had a significant influence on global appreciation for Korea. But I feel like the film 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".

"I feel like it's unfortunate to say this, but whenever there's an Asian-led project, it's perceived like it's a risk," she says.

So, when she took on the role, she took steps to meet everyone working on the film face-to-face, she adds.

The film was launched amid increased immigration raids in the United States as part of extensive removal policies, which triggered demonstrations in many states.

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

Reports have suggested that up to 150,000 Korean immigrants lacking legal status, including adopted children, are among those who could be removed.

As an grown-up, Cho came to realise that the prejudice she had experienced when in her youth stemmed mainly from a lack of education, as many were unaware what it signified to be of Asian descent.

"But now, in this day and age, when it seems the world and people ought to be more informed, it's deeply disheartening and sometimes I feel like we feel so hopeless," she expresses.

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

"Maybe that's why it became this movie of the summer, because we just needed positivity and a unifying element as one."

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

The actress acknowledges she is aware that technology is already being used to copy actors' voices, but aims to "maintain faith in people" that individuals will still pursue human-made creativity.

"Sure, I believe they're going to have digital performers and singers. I'm aware they're already here. I understand performers' voices are already being altered, but I hope people have some respect and want and love for authentic creations."

The film has also been leading the international music rankings, with seven tracks from its soundtrack featured on the Billboard Hot 100. It has its own fan art, and viewers around the world are calling for a sequel.

Cho reveals she wishes she could answer the inquiry of whether that will happen – but both she and fans will have to await the platform or the production company, which produced the movie, to give it the green light.

"I'm aware rumors are circulating, I've heard wonderful things," she says. "So we shall see, and I believe everyone in the world would protest if there wasn't."

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