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

Cho, forty, is describing her early years in Texas, as the firstborn child of parents who emigrated from Korea and her struggle for acceptance in American society.

In the film, which narrates the tale of a female K-Pop trio who must save the world from evil forces, Rumi has to accept her true nature as part human, part demon – and when Cho first saw the screenplay, this resonated powerfully.

"Being born in America, feeling American but having people treat me like I'm not, grappling with my identity as an Korean-American, as a Asian-American, as a woman," she says.

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

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

"As kids, your surroundings shapes your development and I feel like I lacked exposure to sufficient individuals that shared my appearance."

When it launched on Netflix in the summer, KPop Demon Hunters registered 33 million views in just two weeks, and reached the top 10 of the Netflix charts in 93 countries. To be part of the pioneering animation set in Korea, with Asian protagonists, was for Cho "a dream come true" – but it has also established her as a inspiring figure for Asian-American children, the kind that she lacked when she was young.

Cho says many individuals of Korean descent have expressed it's "a breath of fresh air", making them proud for the first instance of their dual heritage and culture.

"In my view K-Pop really, truly, has paved the way. Korean cosmetics has had a significant influence on Korea being loved. But I believe 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 admits she felt the production crew were "occasionally struggling against odds".

"It seems it kind of sucks to say this, but whenever there's an Asian-led project, people feel like it's a risk," she says.

So, when she took on the role, she took steps to meet the entire cast and crew face-to-face, she says.

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

As an person of Asian descent residing in America "it's deeply saddening," she states. "Newcomers have made America what it is."

Korean news sources have suggested that up to 150,000 Korean immigrants lacking legal status, including adopted children, are among those who could be removed.

As an grown-up, Cho understood that the prejudice she had encountered when she was younger stemmed mainly from a knowledge gap, 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 society and people should know better, it is beyond disappointing and at times I feel like we feel so hopeless," she says.

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

"Maybe that's why it became the season's hit film, because we just needed positivity and something to unite us all together."

The growth of AI is a significant worry for the entertainment sector, creating the potential that in coming years it could be used to make a film like the animation.

The actress acknowledges she is aware that technology is already being used to replicate actors' voices, but aims to "maintain faith in people" that individuals will still seek out human-made creativity.

"Certainly, I'm sure they're going to have AI actors and singers. I'm aware they're already here. I understand performers' voices are already being altered, but I hope people have some respect and want and love for something real."

The film has also been dominating the global music charts, with seven tracks from its soundtrack appearing in the prestigious charts. It has its own fan art, and audiences around the world are demanding a follow-up.

Cho reveals she would like to confirm the question of if a sequel is planned – but both she and fans will have to await the streaming service 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 everyone in the world would protest if there wasn't."

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