Animated Film KPop Demon Hunters Star Reveals The Ways Her Personal Path Reflected Protagonist's Experience

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"{I hated that I looked Asian, that I didn't have light-colored eyes and blonde hair, because those were the beauty standards back then," says the actress, who portrayed Rumi in the streaming platform's chart-topping movie, KPop Demon Hunters.

Cho, 40, recalls her early years in the southern state, as the eldest daughter of Korean immigrant parents and her journey toward belonging in the United States.

In the film, which narrates the tale of a female K-Pop trio who must rescue humanity from evil forces, the protagonist has to come to terms with her identity as part human, part demon – and when she first read the script, this resonated powerfully.

"Growing up in the US, feeling American but having others view me like I'm not, trying to figure out my identity as an Asian-American, as a Asian-American, as a woman," she explains.

These were all components of her formative years that paralleled the character's path.

"Truthfully, at various stages in my life, I despised a lot of myself and I longed to become a different person.

"During childhood, what you see influences your development and I feel like I just didn't see enough people that look like me."

When it launched on Netflix in June, KPop Demon Hunters registered millions of streams in just 14 days, and secured the highest positions of the Netflix charts in 93 countries. To star in the pioneering animation with a Korean setting, with Asian protagonists, was for her "a dream come true" – but it has also established her as a inspiring figure for young Asian-Americans, the type that she lacked when in her youth.

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

"In my view Korean pop music really, truly, has paved the way. K-beauty has had a significant influence on global appreciation for Korea. But I feel like the film is the one that pushed it further, of, inspiring travel to Korea, now," she comments.

But the film's success was uncertain and Cho 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, people feel like a gamble," she says.

So, when she accepted the part, she took steps to connect with the entire cast and crew in person, she says.

The movie was released against the backdrop of increased immigration raids in the United States as part of extensive removal policies, which sparked protests in many states.

As an Asian-American living in the US "it's heartbreaking and disappointing," she states. "Immigrants have shaped the nation."

Reports have estimated that up to one hundred fifty thousand Korean immigrants without proper documentation, including those who were adopted, are among those who could be removed.

As an grown-up, Cho understood 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.

"But now, in the modern era, when I feel like the world and people should know better, 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 notes, that KPop Demon Hunters could bring "hope and joy and love to all these different communities".

"Perhaps this explains it's sort of like the season's hit film, because there was a need for some hope and a unifying element all together."

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

Cho acknowledges she is aware that AI is already being used to replicate performers' vocals, but wants to "have hope in humanity" that individuals will still seek out art created by humans.

"Certainly, I'm sure they're going to have digital performers and vocalists. I know they're already here. I understand performers' voices are already being manipulated, but I hope people have appreciation and want and love for something real."

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 viewers around the world are demanding 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 studio, which produced the movie, to give it the green light.

"I know rumors are circulating, I've heard wonderful things," she shares. "So we shall see, and I think fans everywhere would protest if there wasn't."

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