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"{I disliked that I looked Asian, that I didn't have blue eyes and blonde hair, because those were the beauty standards at the time," reveals the actress, who portrayed Rumi in Netflix's highly successful animated film, the K-pop themed animation.

The performer, forty, recalls her early years in the southern state, as the firstborn child of Korean immigrant parents and her struggle for acceptance in American society.

In the movie, which tells the story of a girl group who must rescue humanity from evil forces, the protagonist has to come to terms with her identity as a hybrid being – and when Cho first read the script, this resonated powerfully.

"Growing up in the US, feeling American but having people treat me like I'm not, grappling with my sense of self as an Korean-American, as a Korean-American, as a woman," she says.

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

"I can honestly say, at various stages in my existence, I hated many parts of me and I longed to become someone else.

"During childhood, your surroundings influences your development and I feel like I lacked exposure to sufficient individuals that shared my appearance."

When it debuted on the platform in June, KPop Demon Hunters registered 33 million views in just 14 days, and secured the highest positions of the Netflix charts in 93 countries. To star in the pioneering animation with a Korean setting, with Asian protagonists, was for her "a dream come true" – but it has also made her a powerful role model for Asian-American children, the kind that she lacked when she was young.

Cho says many individuals of Korean descent have expressed it's "such a refreshing moment", making them proud for the first time of their dual heritage and cultural roots.

"I feel like K-Pop really, truly, has paved the way. K-beauty has had such a big impact on global appreciation for Korea. But I believe this movie is the one that tipped it over the edge, of, everybody wants to go to Korea, currently," Cho says.

But the movie's triumph was uncertain and the actress admits she felt the production crew were "occasionally struggling against odds".

"I feel like it's unfortunate to say this, but whenever 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 connect with the entire cast and crew face-to-face, she adds.

The film was released amid heightened enforcement actions in the US as part of mass deportation efforts, which sparked protests in many states.

As an person of Asian descent living in the US "it's deeply saddening," she states. "Newcomers have shaped the nation."

Reports have estimated that up to 150,000 Korean immigrants without proper documentation, including those who were adopted, are among those who could be deported.

As an grown-up, Cho understood that the racism she had experienced when in her youth was largely due to a lack of education, as people didn't know what it meant to be Korean or Asian.

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

Due to this, it feels very special, she notes, that KPop Demon Hunters could bring "optimism and happiness to all these different communities".

"Maybe that's why it became the season's hit film, because there was a need for some hope and a unifying element all together."

The growth of AI is a significant worry for the entertainment sector, raising the possibility that in coming years it could be used to make a film like KPop Demon Hunters.

The actress acknowledges she is conscious that AI is already being used to copy actors' voices, but aims to "maintain faith in people" that audiences will still seek out art created by humans.

"Sure, I'm sure they're going to have AI actors and singers. I'm aware they already exist. I understand our voices are already being manipulated, but I hope the public have some respect and desire for authentic creations."

The film has also been leading the international music rankings, with seven tracks from its soundtrack featured on the Billboard Hot 100. It has its own fan creations, and viewers around the world are demanding a follow-up.

She reveals she wishes she could answer the inquiry of whether that will happen – but both she and fans will have to await the platform or the production company, which made the film, to approve the project.

"I know rumors are circulating, I've heard wonderful things," she shares. "Only time will tell, and I believe everyone in the world would protest if there wasn't."

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