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

"{I disliked that I looked Asian, that I lacked light-colored eyes and blonde hair, because that's what was beautiful at the time," reveals the actress, who voiced the lead character in the streaming platform's highly successful animated film, KPop Demon Hunters.

Cho, 40, is describing her childhood in the southern state, as the eldest daughter of Korean immigrant parents and her journey toward belonging in the United States.

In the movie, which narrates the tale of a girl group who must rescue humanity from dark powers, the protagonist has to come to terms with her true nature as part human, part demon – and when she first read the script, this struck a deep chord.

"Growing up in the US, feeling American but having others view me like a foreigner, trying to figure out my identity as an Korean-American, as a Asian-American, as a woman," she says.

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

"I can honestly say, at different points in my existence, I hated many parts of me and I longed to become someone else.

"As kids, what you see influences who you become and it seems I just didn't see enough people that look like me."

When it launched on Netflix in the summer, KPop Demon Hunters achieved 33 million views in just two weeks, and secured the highest positions of the Netflix charts 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 made her a powerful role model for Asian-American children, the kind that she lacked when she was young.

She says many individuals of Korean descent have expressed it's "a breath of fresh air", making them feel pride for the first instance of their dual heritage and culture.

"In my view K-Pop really, truly, has paved the way. Korean cosmetics has had such a big impact on Korea being loved. But I feel like this movie is the one that tipped it over the edge, of, inspiring travel to Korea, now," she comments.

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

"It seems it kind of sucks to say this, but whenever there's an Asian-led project, it's perceived like a gamble," she reveals.

So, when she took on the role, she made an effort to meet everyone working on the film in person, she adds.

The movie was released amid increased immigration raids in the United States as part of mass deportation efforts, which triggered demonstrations in numerous regions.

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

Korean news sources have estimated that up to one hundred fifty thousand individuals from Korea lacking legal status, including adopted children, are among those who could be deported.

As an grown-up, Cho came to realise that the prejudice she had encountered when in her youth was largely due to a knowledge gap, as people didn't know what it signified to be of Asian descent.

"But now, in this day and age, when it seems the world and people should know better, it is beyond disappointing 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 "optimism and happiness to various groups".

"Perhaps this explains it's sort of like this movie of the summer, because we just needed some hope and something to unite us all together."

The growth of AI is a significant worry for the film industry, creating the potential that in future it could be used to produce a film like KPop Demon Hunters.

The actress says she is conscious that AI is already being used to copy actors' voices, but wants to "maintain faith in people" that individuals will still seek out human-made creativity.

"Sure, I believe there will be digital performers and singers. I'm aware they're already here. I understand our voices are already being manipulated, but I hope the public have some respect and want and love for authentic creations."

KPop Demon Hunters has also been dominating the global music charts, with seven tracks from its score appearing in the Billboard Hot 100. It has its own fan art, and audiences globally are demanding a sequel.

Cho reveals she wishes she could answer the question of if a sequel is planned – but both she and fans will have to await the platform or the studio, which produced the movie, to give it the green light.

"I'm aware rumors are circulating, the feedback is positive," she says. "So we shall see, and I think fans everywhere would riot if it didn't happen."

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