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

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"{I hated that I looked Asian, that I didn't have blue eyes and blonde hair, because that's what was beautiful back then," says the actress, who voiced Rumi in the streaming platform's highly successful animated film, KPop Demon Hunters.

The performer, forty, recalls her early years in Texas, as the firstborn child 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 save the world from evil forces, Rumi has to accept her identity as part human, part demon – and when Cho first read the script, this resonated powerfully.

"Growing up in the US, identifying as American but having people treat me like a foreigner, trying to figure out my sense of self as an Asian-American, as a Korean-American, as a female," she says.

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

"Truthfully, at different points in my existence, I despised many parts of me and I longed to become someone else.

"As kids, your surroundings influences your development and it seems I lacked exposure to sufficient individuals that look like me."

When it debuted on the platform in the summer, the animated feature registered 33 million views in just two weeks, and secured the top 10 of the Netflix charts in 93 countries. To be part of the pioneering animation with a Korean setting, with Asian protagonists, was for Cho "a dream come true" – but it has also established her as a inspiring figure for Asian-American children, the kind that she lacked when in her youth.

Cho notes many Korean-Americans have told her it's "such a refreshing moment", making them feel pride for the first time of their mixed background and cultural roots.

"I feel like K-Pop really, truly, has paved the way. K-beauty has had a significant influence on global appreciation for Korea. But I believe this movie is the one that tipped it over the edge, of, inspiring travel to Korea, now," Cho says.

But the film's success was uncertain and Cho says she felt the production crew were "sometimes facing an uphill battle".

"It seems it kind of sucks to say this, but any time there's an production with Asian leads, it's perceived like it's a risk," she reveals.

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

The movie was launched against the backdrop of increased immigration raids in the US as part of mass deportation efforts, which sparked protests in numerous regions.

As an person of Asian descent living in the US "it's heartbreaking and disappointing," she states. "Newcomers have shaped the nation."

Korean news sources have estimated that up to 150,000 individuals from Korea without proper documentation, including adopted children, are among those who could be removed.

As an grown-up, Cho understood that the prejudice she had experienced when she was younger was largely due to a lack of education, as many were unaware what it meant to be of Asian descent.

"But now, in this day and age, when I feel like the society and individuals should know better, it's deeply disheartening and at times it appears there's a sense of despair," she says.

Because of this, it's particularly meaningful, she notes, that the film could bring "optimism and happiness 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 a unifying element all together."

The advancement of artificial intelligence is a major concern for the entertainment sector, raising the possibility that in future it could be used to produce a movie like KPop Demon Hunters.

Cho acknowledges she is conscious that technology is already being used to copy performers' vocals, but aims to "maintain faith in people" that individuals will still pursue art created by humans.

"Certainly, I believe there will be AI actors and vocalists. I know they already exist. I know our voices are already being altered, but I trust people have some respect and want and love for something real."

KPop Demon Hunters has also been leading the international music rankings, with multiple songs from its score featured on the Billboard Hot 100. It has its own fan creations, and viewers around the world are calling for a sequel.

She tells us she would like to confirm the question of whether that will happen – but both she and fans will have to wait for the platform or the studio, which made the film, to give it the green light.

"I know rumors are circulating, the feedback is positive," she shares. "So we shall see, and I believe everyone in the world would riot if there wasn't."

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