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"{I hated that I had Asian features, that I didn't have light-colored eyes and fair hair, because those were the beauty standards at the time," reveals the actress, who portrayed the lead character in Netflix's chart-topping animated film, KPop Demon Hunters.

Cho, 40, recalls her childhood in the southern state, as the firstborn child of Korean immigrant parents and her struggle for acceptance in American society.

In the movie, which narrates the tale of a female K-Pop trio who must rescue humanity from dark powers, Rumi has to come to terms with her identity as a hybrid being – and when she first read the script, this struck a deep chord.

"Being born in America, identifying as American but having others view me like I'm not, trying to figure out my identity as an Korean-American, as a Korean-American, as a female," she says.

These elements were aspects of her formative years that paralleled Rumi's journey.

"Truthfully, at different points in my life, I despised many parts of me and I wanted to be a different person.

"During childhood, your surroundings influences your development and it seems I just didn't see enough people that look like me."

When it debuted on the platform in the summer, the animated feature registered 33 million views in just two weeks, and secured the top 10 of the streaming rankings in 93 countries. To star in the pioneering animation with a Korean setting, with Korean leads, was for Cho "an aspiration realized" – but it has also made her a inspiring figure for young Asian-Americans, the type that she lacked when in her youth.

She says many Korean-Americans have expressed it's "such a refreshing moment", making them proud for the first instance of their dual heritage and culture.

"I feel like Korean pop music has genuinely broken barriers. Korean cosmetics has had such a big impact on Korea being loved. But I believe the film is the one that pushed it further, of, inspiring travel to Korea, currently," Cho says.

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

"I feel like it kind of sucks to say this, but whenever there's an production with Asian leads, it's perceived like a gamble," she reveals.

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

The film was launched against the backdrop of increased immigration raids in the US as part of mass deportation efforts, which triggered demonstrations in many states.

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

Korean news sources have estimated that up to one hundred fifty thousand individuals from Korea lacking legal status, including adopted children, are among those who could be removed.

As an adult, Cho came to realise that the racism she had experienced when she was younger was largely due to a lack of education, as many were unaware what it meant to be Korean or Asian.

"But now, in this day and age, when I feel like the world and people should know better, it is beyond disappointing and at times it appears there's a sense of despair," she says.

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

"Maybe that's why it became the season's hit film, because we just needed positivity and a unifying element as one."

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

Cho 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 there will be digital performers and singers. I'm aware they already exist. I understand our voices are already being altered, but I trust people have appreciation and want and love for something real."

KPop Demon Hunters has also been leading the global music charts, with multiple songs from its soundtrack featured on the Billboard Hot 100. It has its own fan creations, and viewers globally are demanding a follow-up.

She tells us she would like to confirm the inquiry of if a sequel is planned – but both everyone involved will have to await the platform or the production company, which made the film, to give it the green light.

"I know there's lots of murmurs, I've heard wonderful things," she says. "Only time will tell, and I believe everyone in the world would riot if it didn't happen."

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