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"{I hated that I had Asian features, that I didn't have blue eyes and blonde hair, because that's what was beautiful at the time," reveals the actress, who voiced Rumi in Netflix's chart-topping animated film, the K-pop themed animation.

Cho, 40, recalls her early years in Texas, as the eldest daughter of parents who emigrated from Korea and her journey toward belonging in the United States.

In the movie, which narrates the tale of a female K-Pop trio who must save the world from evil forces, the protagonist 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, identifying as American but having people treat me like I'm not, trying to figure out my sense of self as an Asian-American, as a Asian-American, as a woman," she says.

These elements were aspects of her early life that mirrored Rumi's journey.

"Truthfully, at various stages in my existence, I hated many parts of me and I wanted to be a different person.

"During childhood, your surroundings influences who you become and I feel like I lacked exposure to sufficient individuals that look like me."

When it launched on Netflix in the summer, the animated feature registered millions of streams in just two weeks, 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 powerful role model for young Asian-Americans, the kind that was missing when she was young.

Cho says many Korean-Americans have expressed it's "a breath of fresh air", making them feel pride for the first instance of their mixed background and culture.

"I feel like Korean pop music has genuinely broken barriers. Korean cosmetics has had a significant influence 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 film's success was uncertain 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, it's perceived like a gamble," she says.

So, when she accepted the part, she took steps to connect with everyone working on the film face-to-face, she adds.

The film was released amid increased immigration raids in the United States as part of extensive removal policies, which triggered demonstrations in many states.

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

Korean news sources have estimated that up to one hundred fifty thousand Korean immigrants lacking legal status, including those who were adopted, are among those who could be deported.

As an grown-up, Cho understood that the prejudice she had experienced when in her youth stemmed mainly from a knowledge gap, as many were unaware what it meant to be Korean or Asian.

"However today, in the modern era, when I feel like the world and people should know better, it's deeply disheartening and sometimes it appears there's a sense of despair," she expresses.

Because of this, it's particularly meaningful, she notes, that the film could bring "optimism and happiness to all these different communities".

"Perhaps this explains it's sort of like the season's hit film, because there was a need for positivity and something to unite us all together."

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 produce a film like KPop Demon Hunters.

The actress says she is conscious that technology is already being used to replicate actors' voices, but aims to "have hope in humanity" that individuals will still seek out art created by humans.

"Certainly, I'm sure there will be AI actors and singers. I'm aware they already exist. I know our voices are already being altered, but I hope people have appreciation and want and love for authentic creations."

KPop Demon Hunters has also been leading 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 demanding a follow-up.

She reveals she wishes she could answer the question of if a sequel is planned – but both everyone involved will have to wait for 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 shares. "Only time will tell, and I believe fans everywhere would riot if there wasn't."

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