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This feature explores extraordinary interviews and narratives from around the globe.

"{I disliked that I looked Asian, that I lacked light-colored eyes and fair hair, because those were the beauty standards back then," reveals the actress, who voiced Rumi in Netflix's highly successful movie, the K-pop themed animation.

The performer, forty, is describing her early years in Texas, as the eldest daughter of parents who emigrated from Korea and her journey toward belonging in the United States.

In the film, which tells the story of a girl group who must save the world from dark powers, the protagonist has to come to terms with her identity as a hybrid being – and when Cho first read the script, this resonated powerfully.

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

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

"I can honestly say, at various stages in my life, I hated many parts of me and I longed to become someone else.

"During childhood, your surroundings influences your development and I feel like I lacked exposure to enough people that shared my appearance."

When it debuted on the platform in the summer, KPop Demon Hunters achieved millions of streams in just two weeks, and reached the top 10 of the streaming rankings in dozens of nations. To be part of the first Hollywood animated film set in Korea, with Asian protagonists, was for Cho "an aspiration realized" – but it has also established her as a inspiring figure for young Asian-Americans, the kind that was missing when in her youth.

She notes many individuals of Korean descent have expressed it's "such a refreshing moment", making them proud for the first time of their dual heritage and culture.

"In my view Korean pop music has genuinely broken barriers. K-beauty has had a significant influence on global appreciation for Korea. But I believe the film is the one that tipped it over the edge, of, everybody wants to go to Korea, currently," she comments.

But the film's success was uncertain and Cho says she felt the team making it were "occasionally struggling against odds".

"I feel like it's unfortunate to mention this, but any time there's an Asian-led project, people feel like it's a risk," she reveals.

So, when she accepted the part, she took steps to connect with everyone working on the film face-to-face, she adds.

The film was released amid heightened enforcement actions in the US 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."

Korean news sources have suggested that up to 150,000 individuals from Korea lacking legal status, including adopted children, are among those who could be deported.

As an grown-up, she came to realise that the racism she had encountered when she was younger stemmed mainly from a knowledge gap, as people didn't know what it signified to be Korean or Asian.

"However today, in the modern era, when it seems the society and individuals ought to be more informed, it's deeply disheartening and sometimes it appears there's a sense of despair," she says.

Because of this, it's particularly meaningful, she notes, that KPop Demon Hunters could bring "hope and joy and love to all these different communities".

"Maybe that's why it's sort of like the season's hit film, because there was a need for 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 film like the animation.

Cho acknowledges she is aware that AI is already being used to copy actors' voices, but aims to "have hope in humanity" that audiences will still seek out human-made creativity.

"Sure, I'm sure there will be AI actors and vocalists. I'm aware they already exist. I understand our voices are already being manipulated, but I trust the public have some respect and desire for something real."

The film has also been dominating the international music rankings, with seven tracks from its soundtrack appearing in the Billboard Hot 100. It has its own fan art, and audiences globally are demanding a sequel.

Cho reveals she would like to confirm the inquiry of whether that will happen – but both she and fans will have to await the platform or the production company, which made the film, to approve the project.

"I know there's lots of murmurs, I've heard wonderful things," she shares. "So we shall see, and I believe everyone in the world would riot if it didn't happen."

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