Animated Film KPop Demon Hunters Star Shares How Her Life Journey Mirrored Protagonist's Story

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"{I hated that I looked Asian, that I didn't have light-colored eyes and blonde hair, because that's what was beautiful back then," reveals the actress, who voiced Rumi in the streaming platform's chart-topping movie, KPop Demon Hunters.

Cho, 40, is describing her early years in Texas, as the firstborn child of Korean immigrant parents and her journey toward belonging in American society.

In the film, which narrates the tale of a girl group who must save the world from evil forces, the protagonist has to come to terms with her true nature as a hybrid being – and when Cho first saw the screenplay, this resonated powerfully.

"Growing up in the US, identifying as American but having people treat me like I'm not, trying to figure out my identity as an Asian-American, as a Korean-American, as a female," she explains.

These elements were aspects of her early life that mirrored Rumi's journey.

"I can honestly say, at various stages in my life, I despised many parts of me and I longed to become a different person.

"As kids, your surroundings shapes your development and I feel like I just didn't see enough people that shared my appearance."

When it launched on Netflix in the summer, KPop Demon Hunters achieved 33 million views in just 14 days, and secured the top 10 of the streaming rankings in 93 countries. To star in the first Hollywood animated film set in Korea, with Asian protagonists, was for Cho "a dream come true" – but it has also established her as a inspiring figure for young Asian-Americans, the type that was missing when she was young.

She notes many Korean-Americans have told her it's "a breath of fresh air", making them proud for the first instance of their dual heritage and cultural roots.

"In my view Korean pop music 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, inspiring travel to Korea, now," Cho says.

But the film's success was not guaranteed and the actress says she felt the team making it were "occasionally struggling against odds".

"It seems it's unfortunate to mention this, but whenever there's an Asian-led project, people feel like it's a risk," she reveals.

So, when she took on the role, she took steps to connect with everyone working on the film in person, she adds.

The film was released against the backdrop of heightened enforcement actions 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 deeply saddening," she states. "Newcomers 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 removed.

As an adult, Cho understood that the racism she had encountered when she was younger was largely due to a lack of education, as many were unaware what it signified to be of Asian descent.

"However today, in this day and age, when it seems the society and people should know better, it's deeply disheartening and sometimes it appears there's a sense of despair," she expresses.

Due to 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 became this movie of the summer, because there was a need for some hope and a unifying element as one."

The advancement of artificial intelligence is a major concern for the entertainment sector, creating the potential that in coming years it could be used to make a film like the animation.

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

"Sure, I'm sure they're going to have AI actors and singers. I'm aware they're already here. I know performers' voices are already being manipulated, but I trust people have some respect and want and love for something real."

The film has also been dominating the global music charts, with seven tracks from its score appearing in the Billboard Hot 100. It has its own fan creations, and audiences globally are calling for a follow-up.

She reveals she wishes she could answer the question of whether that will happen – 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 know rumors are circulating, the feedback is positive," she shares. "Only time will tell, and I think fans everywhere would riot if there wasn't."

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