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"{I hated that I had Asian features, that I didn't have light-colored eyes and fair hair, because that's what was beautiful at the time," says the actress, who voiced Rumi in Netflix's highly successful movie, KPop Demon Hunters.

The performer, forty, is describing her childhood in the southern state, as the firstborn child of parents who emigrated from Korea and her journey toward belonging in the United States.

In the film, which narrates the tale of a female K-Pop trio who must save the world from dark powers, Rumi has to accept her identity as a hybrid being – and when Cho first saw the screenplay, this struck a deep chord.

"Growing up in the US, feeling American but having others view me like I'm not, trying to figure out my sense of self as an Korean-American, as a Korean-American, as a female," she says.

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

"Truthfully, at various stages in my existence, I despised a lot of myself and I wanted to be someone else.

"As kids, your surroundings influences your development and it seems I just didn't see sufficient individuals that look like me."

When it debuted on the platform in June, the animated feature registered 33 million views in just 14 days, and secured the highest positions of the Netflix charts in dozens of nations. To star in the first Hollywood animated film set in Korea, with Asian protagonists, was for her "a dream come true" – but it has also established her as a inspiring figure for young Asian-Americans, the kind that was missing when she was young.

Cho notes 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.

"In my view Korean pop music really, truly, has paved the way. Korean cosmetics has had a significant influence on Korea being loved. 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 movie's triumph was not guaranteed and the actress says she felt the production crew were "sometimes facing an uphill battle".

"It seems it's unfortunate to mention this, but any time there's an production with Asian leads, it's perceived like it's a risk," she says.

So, when she took on the role, she took steps to connect with everyone working on the film face-to-face, she says.

The film was released amid heightened enforcement actions in the United States as part of extensive removal policies, which sparked protests in many states.

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

Reports have estimated that up to 150,000 Korean immigrants lacking legal status, including adopted children, are among those who could be deported.

As an adult, Cho came to realise that the racism 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.

"But now, in this day and age, when I feel like the world and people ought to be more informed, it is beyond disappointing and sometimes I feel like we feel so hopeless," she expresses.

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

"Maybe that's why it became the season's hit film, because we just needed some hope and something to unite us as one."

The advancement of artificial intelligence is a major concern for the film industry, creating the potential that in future it could be used to produce a movie like KPop Demon Hunters.

The actress acknowledges she is conscious that AI 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.

"Sure, I believe there will be digital performers and vocalists. I'm aware they already exist. I know our voices are already being altered, but I trust the public have appreciation and desire for authentic creations."

The film has also been dominating the international music rankings, with multiple songs from its score appearing in the Billboard Hot 100. It has its own fan creations, and audiences globally are calling for a follow-up.

Cho tells us she wishes she could answer the inquiry of if a sequel is planned – but both she and fans will have to await the platform or the production company, which produced the movie, to give it the green light.

"I'm aware there's lots of murmurs, the feedback is positive," she says. "So we shall see, and I believe everyone in the world would protest if it didn't happen."

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