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"{I disliked that I had Asian features, that I didn't have blue eyes and fair hair, because those were the beauty standards back then," reveals the actress, who portrayed Rumi in Netflix's chart-topping animated film, KPop Demon Hunters.

The performer, 40, recalls her childhood in the southern state, as the eldest daughter of parents who emigrated from Korea and her struggle for acceptance in American society.

In the movie, which narrates the tale of a girl group who must save the world from dark powers, Rumi has to accept her identity as a hybrid being – and when she first saw the screenplay, this struck a deep chord.

"Growing up in the US, identifying as American but having people treat me like a foreigner, trying to figure out my identity as an Korean-American, as a Asian-American, as a woman," she explains.

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

"Truthfully, at different points in my life, I despised a lot of myself and I longed to become a different person.

"During childhood, your surroundings influences who you become and it seems I just didn't see sufficient individuals that shared my appearance."

When it debuted on the platform in the summer, the animated feature achieved millions of streams in just two weeks, and secured the top 10 of the streaming rankings in 93 countries. To star in the pioneering animation set in Korea, with Asian protagonists, was for Cho "an aspiration realized" – but it has also made her a inspiring figure for Asian-American children, the kind that she lacked when in her youth.

She notes many Korean-Americans have told her it's "a breath of fresh air", making them feel pride for the first time 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, inspiring travel to Korea, now," Cho says.

But the film's success was not guaranteed and the actress admits she felt the production crew were "occasionally struggling against odds".

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

So, when she took on the role, she made an effort to meet the entire cast and crew in person, she adds.

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

As an Asian-American living in the US "it's deeply saddening," she states. "Newcomers have made America what it is."

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

As an adult, Cho came to realise that the prejudice she had experienced when in her youth was largely due to a lack of education, as people didn't know what it meant to be Korean or Asian.

"However today, in this day and age, when I feel like the world and people ought to be more informed, it's deeply disheartening and at times I feel like we feel so hopeless," she says.

Due to this, it's particularly meaningful, she says, that KPop Demon Hunters could bring "hope and joy and love to various groups".

"Perhaps this explains it became this movie of the summer, because there was a need for positivity and a unifying element as one."

The growth of AI is a major concern for the film industry, raising the possibility that in coming years it could be used to make a film like KPop Demon Hunters.

The actress acknowledges she is conscious that AI is already being used to copy performers' vocals, but wants to "have hope in humanity" that individuals will still pursue human-made creativity.

"Certainly, I believe there will be AI actors and singers. I know they're already here. I understand our voices are already being manipulated, but I trust the public have some respect and desire for something real."

KPop Demon Hunters has also been dominating the global music charts, with multiple songs from its score appearing in the Billboard Hot 100. It has its own fan art, and viewers globally are calling for a sequel.

She tells us she wishes she could answer the question of whether that will happen – 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'm aware there's lots of murmurs, the feedback is positive," she says. "Only time will tell, and I think everyone in the world would protest if it didn't happen."

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