KPop Demon Hunters Star Reveals How Her Life Journey Mirrored Main Character's Story

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"{I hated that I looked Asian, that I lacked blue eyes and fair hair, because those were the beauty standards at the time," says the actress, who portrayed the lead character in the streaming platform's chart-topping movie, the K-pop themed animation.

The performer, 40, is describing her early years in the southern state, as the firstborn child of Korean immigrant parents and her struggle for acceptance in the United States.

In the film, which tells the story of a female K-Pop trio who must rescue humanity from evil forces, the protagonist has to come to terms with her true nature as a hybrid being – 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, grappling with my identity as an Korean-American, as a Korean-American, as a woman," she says.

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

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

"During childhood, what you see shapes who you become and I feel like I just didn't see enough people 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 streaming rankings in dozens of nations. To be part of the first Hollywood animated film 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 young Asian-Americans, the type that she lacked when she was young.

Cho says many individuals of Korean descent have told her it's "a breath of fresh air", making them proud for the first instance of their mixed background and cultural roots.

"In my view Korean pop music really, truly, has paved the way. Korean cosmetics has had such a big impact on Korea being loved. But I feel like the film is the one that tipped it over the edge, of, inspiring travel to Korea, currently," she comments.

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

"It seems it's unfortunate to mention this, but whenever there's an production with Asian leads, it's perceived like a gamble," she says.

So, when she accepted the part, she made an effort to meet the entire cast and crew in person, she says.

The movie was launched against the backdrop of 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 heartbreaking and disappointing," she states. "Newcomers have made America what it is."

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

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

"But now, in the modern era, when it seems the society and people should know better, it's deeply disheartening and sometimes I feel like we feel so hopeless," she expresses.

Because of this, it's particularly meaningful, she says, that the film could bring "hope and joy and love to various groups".

"Perhaps this explains it became this movie of the summer, because there was a need for some hope and a unifying element all together."

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

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

"Certainly, I'm sure there will be digital performers and singers. I know they already exist. I know our voices are already being altered, but I hope the public 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 featured on the prestigious charts. It has its own fan creations, and viewers around the world are demanding a follow-up.

She reveals she wishes she could answer the question of if a sequel is planned – but both everyone involved will have to await the streaming service or the studio, which made the film, to give it the green light.

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

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