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

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"{I disliked that I looked Asian, that I lacked blue eyes and blonde hair, because those were the beauty standards back then," reveals the actress, who portrayed Rumi in the streaming platform's chart-topping movie, KPop Demon Hunters.

The performer, forty, is describing her early years in Texas, 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 girl group who must save the world from evil forces, Rumi has to come to terms with her identity as part human, part demon – and when she first saw the screenplay, this resonated powerfully.

"Being born in America, 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 were all components of her early life that paralleled the character's path.

"Truthfully, at various stages in my existence, I hated a lot of myself and I longed to become someone else.

"As kids, what you see influences who you become and it seems I just didn't see sufficient individuals that shared my appearance."

When it debuted on the platform in the summer, KPop Demon Hunters registered millions of streams in just two weeks, and reached the top 10 of the Netflix charts in dozens of nations. To be part of the pioneering animation set in Korea, with Asian protagonists, was for Cho "a dream come true" – but it has also made her a inspiring figure for Asian-American children, the kind that she lacked when she was young.

She says many individuals of Korean descent have told her it's "a breath of fresh air", making them feel pride for the first time of their dual heritage and culture.

"I feel like K-Pop has genuinely broken barriers. K-beauty has had a significant influence on Korea being loved. But I believe this movie is the one that pushed it further, of, inspiring travel to Korea, currently," Cho says.

But the movie's triumph was not guaranteed and the actress says she felt the production crew were "sometimes facing an uphill battle".

"I feel like it kind of sucks to mention this, but any time there's an Asian-led project, people feel like a gamble," she says.

So, when she took on the role, she made an effort to meet everyone working on the film in person, she says.

The movie was released against the backdrop of heightened enforcement actions 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," says Cho. "Newcomers have shaped the nation."

Reports have estimated that up to one hundred fifty thousand individuals from Korea without proper documentation, including adopted children, are among those who could be removed.

As an adult, Cho came to realise that the prejudice she had encountered when she was younger stemmed mainly from a lack of education, as many were unaware what it signified to be of Asian descent.

"But now, in the modern era, when it seems the world and people ought to be more informed, it is beyond disappointing and sometimes it appears we feel so hopeless," she expresses.

Due to this, it's particularly meaningful, she notes, that the film could bring "optimism and happiness to all these different communities".

"Perhaps this explains it's sort of like this movie of the summer, because we just needed some hope and something to unite us as one."

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

Cho says she is aware that AI is already being used to copy actors' voices, but aims to "have hope in humanity" that individuals will still seek out art created by humans.

"Sure, I believe they're going to have AI actors and singers. I know they already exist. I understand performers' voices are already being altered, but I trust people have appreciation and desire for authentic creations."

The film has also been leading the global music charts, with seven tracks from its score featured on the prestigious charts. It has its own fan art, and viewers around the world are calling for a sequel.

She tells us she would like to confirm the inquiry of if a sequel is planned – but both everyone involved will have to wait for the streaming service or the production company, which made the film, to give it the green light.

"I'm aware there's lots of murmurs, the feedback is positive," she shares. "So we shall see, and I think fans everywhere would protest if it didn't happen."

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