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"{I hated that I looked Asian, that I lacked blue eyes and blonde hair, because those were the beauty standards back then," says the actress, who portrayed Rumi in Netflix's highly successful movie, the K-pop themed animation.

The performer, forty, recalls her early years in Texas, as the eldest daughter of Korean immigrant parents and her struggle for acceptance in American society.

In the film, which narrates the tale of a girl group who must save the world from evil forces, Rumi has to come to terms with her identity as a hybrid being – and when she first read the script, this resonated powerfully.

"Being born in America, feeling American but having others view me like a foreigner, trying to figure out my identity as an Asian-American, as a Asian-American, as a woman," she explains.

These were all components of her formative years that paralleled Rumi's journey.

"Truthfully, at different points in my existence, I hated a lot of myself and I wanted to be a different person.

"During childhood, what you see shapes your development and I feel like I lacked exposure to sufficient individuals that shared my appearance."

When it launched on Netflix in the summer, KPop Demon Hunters registered 33 million views in just two weeks, and reached the highest positions of the Netflix charts in 93 countries. To star in the first Hollywood animated film set in Korea, with Korean leads, was for Cho "a dream come true" – but it has also made her a powerful role model for young Asian-Americans, the kind that was missing when she was young.

Cho notes many individuals of Korean descent have expressed it's "a breath of fresh air", making them feel pride for the first time of their dual heritage and culture.

"In my view K-Pop really, truly, has paved the way. Korean cosmetics has had a significant influence on Korea being loved. But I feel like this movie is the one that tipped it over the edge, of, everybody wants to go to Korea, currently," Cho says.

But the movie's triumph was not guaranteed and the actress says she felt the team making it were "sometimes facing an uphill battle".

"It seems it's unfortunate to say this, but any time there's an production with Asian leads, it's perceived like it's a risk," she says.

So, when she took on the role, she made an effort to meet everyone working on the film in person, she adds.

The film was launched against the backdrop of heightened enforcement actions in the US as part of mass deportation efforts, which sparked protests in numerous regions.

As an Asian-American residing in America "it's heartbreaking and disappointing," says Cho. "Newcomers have shaped the nation."

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

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

"However today, in this day and age, when it seems the world and individuals ought to be more informed, it is beyond disappointing and at times it appears there's a sense of despair," she expresses.

Because of this, it feels very special, she notes, that the film could bring "hope and joy and love to all these different communities".

"Perhaps this explains it became 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 major concern for the film industry, 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 AI is already being used to replicate actors' voices, but wants to "have hope in humanity" that audiences will still seek out human-made creativity.

"Certainly, I'm sure there will be AI actors and vocalists. I'm aware they're already here. I know performers' voices are already being altered, but I trust people have some respect and desire for authentic creations."

KPop Demon Hunters has also been leading the global music charts, with multiple songs from its score appearing in the prestigious charts. It has its own fan creations, and audiences globally are calling for 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 await the platform or the studio, which produced the movie, to approve the project.

"I'm aware rumors are circulating, I've heard wonderful things," she says. "Only time will tell, and I think fans everywhere would protest if there wasn't."

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