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

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

The performer, 40, is describing her childhood in Texas, as the eldest daughter of Korean immigrant parents and her journey toward belonging in the United States.

In the film, which tells the story of a female K-Pop trio who must rescue humanity from dark powers, Rumi has to accept her identity as a hybrid being – and when Cho first saw the screenplay, this resonated powerfully.

"Being born in America, identifying as American but having people treat me like I'm not, grappling with my sense of self as an Asian-American, as a Asian-American, as a woman," she explains.

These were all components of her early life that mirrored Rumi's journey.

"I can honestly say, at different points in my existence, I hated a lot of myself and I longed to become someone else.

"During childhood, what you see influences who you become and I feel like I just didn't see enough people that shared my appearance."

When it launched on Netflix in June, KPop Demon Hunters 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 Asian protagonists, was for her "an aspiration realized" – but it has also established her as a powerful role model for Asian-American children, the kind that was missing when in her youth.

She says many individuals of Korean descent have expressed it's "such a refreshing moment", making them proud for the first instance of their mixed background and culture.

"I feel like Korean pop music really, truly, has paved the way. Korean cosmetics has had a significant influence on Korea being loved. But I believe the film is the one that pushed it further, of, inspiring travel to Korea, currently," Cho says.

But the film's success was uncertain and the actress admits she felt the team making it were "occasionally struggling against odds".

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

So, when she accepted the part, she made an effort to meet everyone working on the film face-to-face, she adds.

The film was released against the backdrop of heightened enforcement actions in the US as part of extensive removal policies, which sparked protests in numerous regions.

As an person of Asian descent residing in America "it's deeply saddening," says Cho. "Newcomers have made America what it is."

Korean news sources have suggested that up to 150,000 individuals from Korea without proper documentation, including adopted children, are among those who could be removed.

As an adult, she came to realise that the prejudice she had experienced when she was younger was largely due to a lack of education, as many were unaware what it meant to be Korean or Asian.

"However today, in the modern era, when I feel like the society and individuals ought to be more informed, it's deeply disheartening and sometimes I feel like there's a sense of despair," she expresses.

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

"Maybe that's why it became the season's hit film, 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, raising the possibility that in coming years it could be used to make a movie like the animation.

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

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

KPop Demon Hunters has also been dominating the international music rankings, with multiple songs from its soundtrack appearing in the prestigious charts. It has its own fan art, and audiences around the world are calling for a follow-up.

She tells us she wishes she could answer the inquiry of if a sequel is planned – but both she and fans will have to wait for the streaming service 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. "So we shall see, and I think everyone in the world would protest if it didn't happen."

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