KPop Demon Hunters Actress Shares How Her Life Journey Reflected Protagonist's Story

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"{I disliked that I had Asian features, that I didn't have blue eyes and fair hair, because that's what was beautiful at the time," says the actress, who voiced Rumi in the streaming platform's chart-topping animated film, the K-pop themed animation.

The performer, forty, is describing her childhood in the southern state, as the firstborn child of parents who emigrated from Korea and her struggle for acceptance in American society.

In the movie, which tells the story of a female K-Pop trio who must save the world from dark powers, the protagonist has to come to terms with her identity as a hybrid being – and when she 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 Asian-American, as a female," she explains.

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

"I can honestly say, at different points in my life, I hated many parts of me and I wanted to be someone else.

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

When it launched on Netflix in the summer, KPop Demon Hunters registered millions of streams in just 14 days, and reached the top 10 of the streaming rankings in dozens of nations. To be part of the first Hollywood animated film with a Korean setting, with Asian protagonists, was for her "an aspiration realized" – but it has also established her as a powerful role model for Asian-American children, the type that was missing 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 mixed background and cultural roots.

"In my view K-Pop 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, currently," Cho says.

But the film's success was not guaranteed 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, it's perceived like a gamble," she says.

So, when she took on the role, she made an effort to meet the entire cast and crew in person, she adds.

The movie was launched amid heightened enforcement actions in the US as part of extensive removal policies, which sparked protests in numerous regions.

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

Reports have suggested that up to 150,000 individuals from Korea lacking legal status, including adopted children, are among those who could be deported.

As an adult, Cho came to realise that the prejudice she had encountered when in her youth was largely due to a lack of education, as many were unaware what it signified to be of Asian descent.

"But now, in this day and age, when it seems the society and individuals ought to be more informed, it's deeply disheartening and at times I feel like there's a sense of despair," she expresses.

Due to this, it feels very special, she says, that KPop Demon Hunters could bring "optimism and happiness to various groups".

"Maybe that's why it's sort of like this movie of the summer, because there was a need for positivity and something to unite us all together."

The growth of AI is a major concern for the film industry, creating the potential that in future it could be used to produce a film like the animation.

The actress says she is conscious that AI is already being used to replicate actors' voices, but wants to "maintain faith in people" that individuals will still pursue human-made creativity.

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

KPop Demon Hunters has also been dominating the global music charts, with multiple songs from its score appearing in the prestigious charts. It has its own fan art, and viewers globally are demanding a sequel.

She reveals she wishes she could answer the question of if a sequel is planned – but both she and fans will have to await the streaming service or the production company, which produced the movie, to approve the project.

"I know rumors are circulating, I've heard wonderful things," she says. "Only time will tell, and I believe fans everywhere would riot if there wasn't."

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