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"{I disliked that I looked Asian, that I didn't have light-colored eyes and blonde hair, because that's what was beautiful at the time," says the actress, who portrayed Rumi in Netflix's chart-topping animated film, the K-pop themed animation.

The performer, 40, is describing her childhood in Texas, as the firstborn child of Korean immigrant parents and her journey toward belonging in American society.

In the movie, which narrates the tale of a female K-Pop trio who must save the world from dark powers, Rumi has to come to terms with her true nature as a hybrid being – and when Cho first saw the screenplay, this resonated powerfully.

"Growing up in the US, identifying as American but having people treat 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 were all aspects of her early life that mirrored the character's path.

"Truthfully, at various stages in my life, I despised many parts of me and I wanted to be someone else.

"As kids, what you see influences who you become and it seems I just didn't see enough people that shared my appearance."

When it debuted on the platform in the summer, KPop Demon Hunters 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 set in Korea, with Korean leads, was for Cho "a dream come true" – but it has also established her as a powerful role model for Asian-American children, the type 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 cultural roots.

"I feel like Korean pop music has genuinely broken barriers. K-beauty has had a significant influence on global appreciation for Korea. But I believe the film is the one that tipped it over the edge, of, everybody wants to go to Korea, now," she comments.

But the film's success was not guaranteed and the actress admits 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, people feel like a gamble," she says.

So, when she took on the role, she made an effort to connect with everyone working on the film in person, she says.

The movie was launched amid increased immigration raids in the US as part of extensive removal policies, which triggered demonstrations in many states.

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

Reports have suggested that up to 150,000 individuals from Korea without proper documentation, including those who were adopted, are among those who could be removed.

As an adult, Cho understood that the prejudice she had experienced when in her youth stemmed mainly from a lack of education, as people didn't know what it signified to be of Asian descent.

"However today, in this day and age, when it seems the world and people should know better, it is beyond disappointing and at times it appears we feel so hopeless," she expresses.

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

"Maybe that's why it became the season's hit film, because we just needed some hope and something to unite us as one."

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

Cho acknowledges she is aware that AI is already being used to copy actors' voices, but aims to "have hope in humanity" that individuals will still pursue human-made creativity.

"Sure, I believe they're going to have digital performers and vocalists. I know they're already here. I understand our voices are already being altered, but I trust people have some respect and want and love for something real."

The film has also been dominating the international music rankings, with multiple songs from its score featured on the prestigious charts. It has its own fan creations, and audiences globally are demanding a sequel.

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 streaming service or the production company, which made the film, to approve the project.

"I know there's lots of murmurs, the feedback is positive," she says. "Only time will tell, and I believe fans everywhere would protest if there wasn't."

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