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This exclusive piece delves into extraordinary interviews and narratives from worldwide.

"{I disliked that I had Asian features, that I lacked blue eyes and fair hair, because those were the beauty standards back then," reveals the actress, who portrayed Rumi in the streaming platform's highly successful movie, the K-pop themed animation.

Cho, 40, is describing her early years in Texas, as the firstborn child of parents who emigrated from Korea and her struggle for acceptance in the United States.

In the film, 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 Cho first read the script, this struck a deep chord.

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

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

"Truthfully, at various stages in my life, I hated a lot of myself and I wanted to be someone else.

"As kids, your surroundings shapes your development and I feel like I lacked exposure to enough people that look like me."

When it debuted on the platform in the summer, KPop Demon Hunters achieved 33 million views in just two weeks, and reached the highest positions of the Netflix charts in 93 countries. To star in the pioneering animation set in Korea, with Asian protagonists, 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 says many Korean-Americans have told her it's "such a refreshing moment", making them feel pride for the first time of their mixed background and culture.

"I feel like K-Pop has genuinely broken barriers. K-beauty has had a significant influence on Korea being loved. But I believe the film is the one that tipped it over the edge, of, inspiring travel to Korea, now," she comments.

But the movie's triumph was not guaranteed and Cho admits she felt the production crew were "occasionally struggling against odds".

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

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

The film was released against the backdrop of increased immigration raids in the US as part of extensive removal policies, which triggered demonstrations in numerous regions.

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

Korean news sources have estimated that up to 150,000 Korean immigrants lacking legal status, including those who were adopted, are among those who could be deported.

As an grown-up, Cho understood that the prejudice she had experienced when in her youth stemmed mainly from a lack of education, as people didn't know what it meant to be Korean or Asian.

"However today, in the modern era, when it seems the society and people ought to be more informed, it is beyond disappointing and at times it appears there's a sense of despair," she expresses.

Because of this, it feels very special, she says, that KPop Demon Hunters could bring "optimism and happiness to various groups".

"Perhaps this explains it became this movie of the summer, because there was a need for positivity and a unifying element all together."

The growth of AI is a significant worry for the entertainment sector, raising the possibility that in coming years it could be used to make a film like the animation.

The actress says she is conscious that technology is already being used to copy actors' voices, but wants to "have hope in humanity" that individuals will still seek out art created by humans.

"Certainly, I'm sure there will be digital performers and singers. I know they already exist. I understand our voices are already being manipulated, but I trust people have appreciation and want and love for something real."

KPop Demon Hunters has also been dominating the global music charts, with multiple songs from its score featured on the Billboard Hot 100. It has its own fan creations, and viewers around the world are demanding a follow-up.

She reveals she would like to confirm the question of if a sequel is planned – but both everyone involved will have to wait for the platform or the studio, which made the film, to approve the project.

"I know rumors are circulating, I've heard wonderful things," she says. "So we shall see, and I believe fans everywhere would riot if it didn't happen."

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