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This exclusive piece delves into extraordinary interviews and narratives from around the globe.

"{I hated that I had Asian features, that I lacked light-colored eyes and blonde hair, because that's what was beautiful back then," says the actress, who voiced Rumi in the streaming platform's chart-topping animated film, the K-pop themed animation.

Cho, forty, recalls her early years in Texas, as the firstborn child of Korean immigrant parents and her struggle for acceptance in the United States.

In the movie, which narrates the tale of a female K-Pop trio who must rescue humanity from evil forces, Rumi has to come to terms with her true nature as a hybrid being – and when Cho first saw the screenplay, this struck a deep chord.

"Being born in America, feeling American but having people treat me like a foreigner, grappling with my identity as an Korean-American, as a Korean-American, as a female," she says.

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

"I can honestly say, at various stages in my life, I despised a lot of myself and I wanted to be a different person.

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

When it launched on Netflix in the summer, the animated feature achieved millions of streams in just 14 days, and secured the highest positions of the Netflix charts in dozens of nations. To be part of the pioneering animation with a Korean setting, with Korean leads, was for her "an aspiration realized" – but it has also made her a powerful role model for young Asian-Americans, the kind that she lacked when she was young.

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

"I feel like Korean pop music has genuinely broken barriers. K-beauty has had a significant influence on global appreciation for Korea. But I feel like the film is the one that tipped it over the edge, of, everybody wants to go to Korea, now," Cho says.

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

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

So, when she took on the role, she took steps to connect with the entire cast and crew in person, she adds.

The movie was launched amid increased immigration raids in the US as part of mass deportation efforts, which triggered demonstrations in many states.

As an Asian-American residing in America "it's deeply saddening," says Cho. "Immigrants have made America what it is."

Reports have estimated that up to one hundred fifty thousand Korean immigrants lacking legal status, including adopted children, are among those who could be removed.

As an adult, Cho understood that the racism she had encountered when in her youth stemmed mainly from a knowledge gap, as people didn't know what it meant to be of Asian descent.

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

Due to this, it feels very special, she says, that the film could bring "hope and joy and love to all these different communities".

"Maybe that's why it became this movie of the summer, because we just needed some hope and a unifying element all together."

The growth of AI is a major concern for the entertainment sector, raising the possibility that in future it could be used to produce a movie like the animation.

Cho says she is aware that AI is already being used to replicate performers' vocals, but wants to "maintain faith in people" that audiences will still seek out human-made creativity.

"Sure, I believe they're going to have AI actors and vocalists. I'm aware they're already here. I understand performers' voices are already being manipulated, but I trust the public have appreciation and desire for authentic creations."

The film has also been dominating the global music charts, with seven tracks from its soundtrack appearing in the prestigious charts. It has its own fan creations, and viewers around the world are calling for a sequel.

Cho reveals she would like to confirm the inquiry of if a sequel is planned – but both she and fans will have to wait for the platform or the studio, which produced the movie, to give it the green light.

"I'm aware there's lots of murmurs, I've heard wonderful things," she shares. "Only time will tell, and I think everyone in the world would riot if there wasn't."

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