Animated Film KPop Demon Hunters Star Reveals How Her Personal Path Mirrored Protagonist's Experience

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"{I hated that I had Asian features, that I didn't have blue eyes and fair hair, because those were the beauty standards at the time," says the actress, who voiced the lead character in Netflix's chart-topping movie, KPop Demon Hunters.

Cho, 40, recalls her childhood in the southern state, as the eldest daughter of Korean immigrant parents and her journey toward belonging in American society.

In the film, which narrates the tale of a girl group 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.

"Being born in America, feeling American but having others view me like I'm not, trying to figure out my identity as an Korean-American, as a Asian-American, as a woman," she says.

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

"I can honestly say, at different points in my life, I despised a lot of myself and I wanted to be someone else.

"As kids, your surroundings shapes your development and it seems I just didn't see enough people that look like me."

When it launched on Netflix in June, KPop Demon Hunters achieved 33 million views in just two weeks, and reached the highest positions of the Netflix charts in dozens of nations. 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 inspiring figure for Asian-American children, the type that she lacked when in her youth.

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

"In my view Korean pop music has genuinely broken barriers. Korean cosmetics has had a significant influence on global appreciation for Korea. But I believe the film is the one that pushed it further, of, everybody wants to go to Korea, now," she comments.

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

"I feel like it kind of sucks to mention this, but whenever there's an production with Asian leads, it's perceived like a gamble," she says.

So, when she accepted the part, she made an effort to meet the entire cast and crew in person, she adds.

The film was launched against the backdrop of increased immigration raids 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 shaped the nation."

Reports 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 racism she had encountered when she was younger stemmed mainly from a knowledge gap, as people didn't know what it signified to be of Asian descent.

"However today, in this day and age, when it seems the world and individuals should know better, it's deeply disheartening and sometimes I feel like there's a sense of despair," she expresses.

Due to this, it feels very special, she notes, that the film could bring "optimism and happiness to all these different communities".

"Perhaps this explains it became this movie of the summer, because there was a need for some hope and something to unite us as one."

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 acknowledges she is conscious that technology is already being used to copy performers' vocals, but wants to "maintain faith in people" that audiences will still pursue human-made creativity.

"Sure, I believe they're going to have AI actors and singers. I'm aware they already exist. I know our voices are already being manipulated, but I hope the public have some respect and desire for authentic creations."

KPop Demon Hunters has also been dominating the international music rankings, with multiple songs from its soundtrack appearing in the prestigious charts. It has its own fan creations, and audiences around the world are calling for a follow-up.

Cho tells us she would like to confirm the question of if a sequel is planned – but both she and fans will have to wait for the streaming service or the production company, which made the film, to give it the green light.

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

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