KPop Demon Hunters Star Reveals How Her Personal Path Mirrored Protagonist's Story

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"{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 portrayed the lead character in the streaming platform's chart-topping movie, KPop Demon Hunters.

Cho, forty, is describing her childhood in the southern state, as the eldest daughter of parents who emigrated from Korea and her journey toward belonging in American society.

In the film, which tells the story of a female K-Pop trio who must save the world from evil forces, Rumi has to come to terms with her true nature as part human, part demon – and when she first read the script, this struck a deep chord.

"Being born in America, identifying as 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 says.

These were all components of her formative years that mirrored Rumi's journey.

"Truthfully, at different points in my life, I despised many parts of me and I longed to become a different person.

"During childhood, what you see influences who you become and it seems I just didn't see sufficient individuals that look like me."

When it debuted on the platform in the summer, the animated feature achieved 33 million views 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 Korean leads, was for her "a dream come true" – but it has also established her as a inspiring figure for Asian-American children, the kind that she lacked when she was young.

Cho notes many Korean-Americans have told her it's "a breath of fresh air", making them feel pride for the first time of their mixed background and culture.

"In my view K-Pop has genuinely broken barriers. K-beauty has had a significant influence on Korea being loved. But I believe the film is the one that tipped it over the edge, of, everybody wants to go to Korea, currently," she comments.

But the movie's triumph 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 reveals.

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

The film was launched against the backdrop of increased immigration raids in the United States as part of mass deportation efforts, which triggered demonstrations in numerous regions.

As an person of Asian descent 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 without proper documentation, including adopted children, are among those who could be deported.

As an adult, Cho understood that the prejudice she had encountered when in her youth stemmed mainly from a knowledge gap, as many were unaware what it meant to be of Asian descent.

"However today, in the modern era, when it seems the society and people should know better, it's deeply disheartening and at times I feel like 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 various groups".

"Maybe that's why it's sort of like this movie of the summer, because we just needed positivity and something to unite us as one."

The advancement of artificial intelligence is a major concern for the film industry, creating the potential that in coming years it could be used to make a film like KPop Demon Hunters.

The actress acknowledges she is aware that technology is already being used to replicate performers' vocals, but wants to "have hope in humanity" that audiences will still pursue art created by humans.

"Certainly, I'm sure there will be AI actors and singers. I know they're already here. I understand performers' voices are already being altered, but I trust the public have some respect and desire for something real."

The film has also been dominating the global music charts, with seven tracks from its soundtrack featured on the prestigious charts. It has its own fan creations, and audiences globally are calling for a sequel.

Cho tells us she wishes she could answer the question of whether that will happen – but both she and fans will have to await the platform or the production company, which produced the movie, to give it the green light.

"I know rumors are circulating, the feedback is positive," she shares. "Only time will tell, and I believe everyone in the world would protest if it didn't happen."

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