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"{I hated that I looked Asian, that I lacked light-colored eyes and blonde hair, because those were the beauty standards back then," says the actress, who portrayed Rumi in Netflix's highly successful animated film, the K-pop themed animation.

Cho, 40, is describing her early years in the southern state, as the firstborn child of Korean immigrant parents and her journey toward belonging in the United States.

In the film, which tells the story of a girl group who must save the world from dark powers, Rumi has to accept her identity as part human, part demon – and when Cho first read the script, this struck a deep chord.

"Growing up in the US, feeling American but having people treat me like I'm not, grappling with my identity as an Korean-American, as a Korean-American, as a female," she explains.

These were all components of her early life that paralleled the character's path.

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

"During childhood, what you see shapes who you become and it seems I just didn't see sufficient individuals that look like me."

When it debuted on the platform in June, KPop Demon Hunters achieved millions of streams in just two weeks, and secured the top 10 of the Netflix charts in dozens of nations. To be part of the first Hollywood animated film with a Korean setting, with Asian protagonists, was for Cho "an aspiration realized" – but it has also made her a inspiring figure for Asian-American children, the type that she lacked when in her youth.

She notes many Korean-Americans have expressed it's "a breath of fresh air", making them proud for the first time of their mixed background and culture.

"In my view Korean pop music really, truly, has paved the way. K-beauty has had a significant influence on global appreciation for Korea. But I feel like this movie is the one that tipped it over the edge, of, everybody wants to go to Korea, currently," she comments.

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

"It seems it's unfortunate to say this, but whenever there's an Asian-led project, it's perceived like it's a risk," she says.

So, when she accepted the part, she took steps to meet the entire cast and crew in person, she adds.

The movie was released against the backdrop of heightened enforcement actions in the United States as part of extensive removal policies, which triggered demonstrations in numerous regions.

As an person of Asian descent residing in America "it's heartbreaking and disappointing," says Cho. "Immigrants have made America what it is."

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 grown-up, Cho came to realise that the prejudice she had encountered when in her youth stemmed mainly from a lack of education, as people didn't know what it signified to be Korean or Asian.

"However today, in this day and age, when I feel like the world and individuals ought to be more informed, it's deeply disheartening and sometimes it appears there's a sense of despair," she expresses.

Due to this, it's particularly meaningful, she says, that KPop Demon Hunters could bring "hope and joy and love to all these different communities".

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

The advancement of artificial intelligence is a significant worry for the entertainment sector, raising the possibility that in future it could be used to produce a film like the animation.

The actress acknowledges she is conscious that AI is already being used to copy performers' vocals, but wants to "have hope in humanity" that audiences will still pursue human-made creativity.

"Sure, I'm sure they're going to have digital performers and singers. I know they already exist. I know our voices are already being manipulated, but I trust the public have appreciation and want and love for authentic creations."

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 audiences around the world are calling for a follow-up.

She reveals she wishes she could answer the inquiry of if a sequel is planned – but both she and fans will have to wait for the platform or the production company, which produced the movie, to approve the project.

"I know there's lots of murmurs, I've heard wonderful things," she shares. "So we shall see, and I think fans everywhere would riot if there wasn't."

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