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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 at the time," says the actress, who portrayed the lead character in Netflix's highly successful animated film, the K-pop themed animation.

The performer, 40, recalls her childhood in the southern state, as the firstborn child of parents who emigrated from Korea and her journey toward belonging in American society.

In the movie, which narrates the tale of a girl group who must save the world from dark powers, Rumi has to come to terms with her identity as a hybrid being – and when Cho first saw the screenplay, this struck a deep chord.

"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 Korean-American, as a woman," she says.

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

"I can honestly say, at various stages in my life, I despised a lot of myself and I wanted to be someone else.

"As kids, your surroundings 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 the summer, KPop Demon Hunters achieved 33 million views in just 14 days, and reached the highest positions of the streaming rankings in dozens of nations. To star in the pioneering animation set in Korea, with Korean leads, was for her "an aspiration realized" – but it has also made her a inspiring figure for Asian-American children, the kind that she lacked when in her youth.

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

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

But the movie's triumph was uncertain and Cho admits she felt the team making it were "sometimes facing an uphill battle".

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

So, when she took on the role, she made an effort to meet the entire cast and crew face-to-face, she adds.

The film was launched against the backdrop of heightened enforcement actions in the US as part of extensive removal policies, which triggered demonstrations in many states.

As an Asian-American living in the US "it's heartbreaking and disappointing," says Cho. "Newcomers have shaped the nation."

Reports have estimated that up to one hundred fifty thousand Korean immigrants without proper documentation, including those who were adopted, are among those who could be removed.

As an adult, Cho came to realise that the prejudice she had experienced when she was younger was largely due to a knowledge gap, as people didn't know what it signified to be Korean or Asian.

"However today, in the modern era, when I feel like the society and individuals should know better, it is beyond disappointing and at times I feel like there's a sense of despair," she expresses.

Because of this, it feels very special, she says, that the film could bring "hope and joy and love to various groups".

"Perhaps this explains it's sort of like this movie of the summer, because there was a need for some hope and a unifying element as one."

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

Cho says she is conscious that technology is already being used to replicate actors' voices, but wants to "have hope in humanity" that individuals will still seek out human-made creativity.

"Sure, I'm sure they're going to have AI actors and vocalists. I know they're already here. I know performers' voices are already being manipulated, but I hope people have appreciation and want and love for something real."

KPop Demon Hunters has also been dominating the international music rankings, with seven tracks from its score appearing in the prestigious charts. It has its own fan art, and viewers globally are calling for a sequel.

Cho tells us she wishes she could answer the question of if a sequel is planned – but both she and fans will have to wait for the streaming service or the studio, which made the film, to approve the project.

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

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