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"{I disliked that I looked Asian, that I lacked blue eyes and blonde hair, because that's what was beautiful back then," reveals the actress, who voiced Rumi in the streaming platform's highly successful animated film, the K-pop themed animation.

The performer, 40, is describing her early years in the southern state, as the eldest daughter of Korean immigrant parents and her journey toward belonging in the United States.

In the movie, which tells the story of a female K-Pop trio who must save the world from evil forces, the protagonist has to come to terms with her true nature as a hybrid being – 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, trying to figure out my identity as an Asian-American, as a Asian-American, as a female," she says.

These elements were components of her formative years that mirrored Rumi's journey.

"I can honestly say, at different points in my existence, I despised a lot of myself and I longed to become a different person.

"During childhood, your surroundings shapes your development and I feel like I just didn't see sufficient individuals that shared my appearance."

When it launched on Netflix in June, KPop Demon Hunters registered millions of streams in just 14 days, and reached the highest positions of the streaming rankings in dozens of nations. To be part of the pioneering animation set in Korea, with Asian protagonists, was for Cho "a dream come true" – but it has also made her a powerful role model for Asian-American children, the type that was missing when she was young.

She says many individuals of Korean descent have told her it's "a breath of fresh air", making them feel pride for the first instance of their dual heritage and cultural roots.

"In my view K-Pop really, truly, has paved the way. Korean cosmetics has had a significant influence 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 film's success 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 any time there's an production with Asian leads, it's perceived like a gamble," she says.

So, when she accepted the part, she made an effort to connect with everyone working on the film face-to-face, she adds.

The movie was launched amid heightened enforcement actions in the US as part of extensive removal policies, which sparked protests in numerous regions.

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

Korean news sources have estimated that up to 150,000 Korean immigrants without proper documentation, including adopted children, are among those who could be removed.

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

"But now, in the modern era, when it seems the world and individuals ought to be more informed, it's deeply disheartening and at times it appears we feel so hopeless," she says.

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

"Perhaps this explains it's sort of like this movie of the summer, because we just needed some hope and a unifying element all together."

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

The actress acknowledges she is aware that AI is already being used to replicate performers' vocals, but aims to "maintain faith in people" that individuals will still pursue art created by humans.

"Sure, I'm sure they're going to have digital performers and singers. I'm aware they already exist. I know our voices are already being manipulated, but I trust people have appreciation and want and love for something real."

The film has also been leading the global music charts, with multiple songs from its score featured on the Billboard Hot 100. It has its own fan art, and viewers around the world are demanding a follow-up.

Cho 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 studio, which made the film, to give it the green light.

"I'm aware rumors are circulating, the feedback is positive," she says. "So we shall see, and I believe everyone in the world would riot if there wasn't."

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