Animated Film KPop Demon Hunters Actress Shares How Her Life Journey Reflected Protagonist's Story

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"{I disliked that I looked Asian, that I lacked blue eyes and blonde hair, because those were the beauty standards back then," reveals the actress, who portrayed Rumi in Netflix's highly successful movie, KPop Demon Hunters.

The performer, 40, is describing her childhood in Texas, as the eldest daughter of parents who emigrated from Korea and her struggle for acceptance in American society.

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

"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 woman," she explains.

These were all aspects of her early life that paralleled the character's path.

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

"As kids, your surroundings influences your development and I feel like I lacked exposure to sufficient individuals 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 secured the highest positions of the Netflix charts in 93 countries. To star in the pioneering animation with a Korean setting, with Korean leads, was for Cho "an aspiration realized" – but it has also made her a powerful role model for Asian-American children, the type that she lacked when she was young.

She says many individuals of Korean descent have told her it's "such a refreshing moment", making them feel pride for the first time of their dual heritage and cultural roots.

"I feel like 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, inspiring travel to Korea, now," she comments.

But the movie's triumph was uncertain and the actress says she felt the production crew were "sometimes facing an uphill battle".

"I feel like it kind of sucks to say this, but any time there's an Asian-led project, it's perceived like it's a risk," she reveals.

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

The film was released amid heightened enforcement actions in the US as part of extensive removal policies, which sparked protests in many states.

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

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

As an adult, she came to realise that the prejudice she had encountered when she was younger stemmed mainly from a knowledge gap, as many were unaware what it signified to be Korean or Asian.

"However today, in the modern era, when I feel like the society and people ought to be more informed, it's deeply disheartening and at times I feel like we feel so hopeless," she expresses.

Due to this, it's particularly meaningful, she says, that the film could bring "hope and joy and love to various groups".

"Perhaps this explains it's sort of like this movie of the summer, because there was a need for positivity and something to unite us all together."

The growth of AI is a major concern for the entertainment sector, creating the potential that in future it could be used to make a film like the animation.

The actress acknowledges she is aware that technology is already being used to copy actors' voices, but wants to "have hope in humanity" that audiences will still pursue human-made creativity.

"Sure, I believe they're going to have digital performers and singers. I know they're already here. I know performers' voices are already being manipulated, but I trust people have appreciation and want and love for something real."

The film has also been leading the global music charts, with seven tracks from its score featured on the prestigious charts. It has its own fan creations, and viewers globally are demanding a sequel.

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 studio, which made the film, to give it the green light.

"I'm aware there's lots of murmurs, the feedback is positive," she shares. "Only time will tell, and I think everyone in the world would riot if it didn't happen."

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