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"{I disliked that I looked Asian, that I didn't have light-colored eyes and fair hair, because those were the beauty standards at the time," says the actress, who voiced the lead character in the streaming platform's chart-topping movie, KPop Demon Hunters.

The performer, 40, is describing her childhood in Texas, as the firstborn child of Korean immigrant parents 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.

"Growing up in the US, identifying as American but having others view me like I'm not, grappling with my identity as an Korean-American, as a Asian-American, as a woman," she says.

These were all components of her early life that mirrored the character's path.

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

"As kids, what you see influences who you become and it seems I lacked exposure to enough people that shared my appearance."

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 be part of the pioneering animation with a Korean setting, with Asian protagonists, was for Cho "an aspiration realized" – but it has also established her as a powerful role model for Asian-American children, the kind that was missing when in her youth.

She says many individuals of Korean descent have expressed it's "such a refreshing moment", making them feel pride for the first time of their mixed background and culture.

"I feel like K-Pop has genuinely broken barriers. K-beauty 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, now," Cho says.

But the film's success was not guaranteed and Cho says she felt the team making it were "sometimes facing an uphill battle".

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

So, when she accepted the part, she made an effort to connect with everyone working on the film face-to-face, she says.

The movie was released against the backdrop of heightened enforcement actions in the United States as part of extensive removal policies, which sparked protests in numerous regions.

As an Asian-American living in the US "it's deeply saddening," she states. "Immigrants have shaped the nation."

Korean news sources have suggested that up to one hundred fifty thousand Korean immigrants without proper documentation, including adopted children, are among those who could be removed.

As an grown-up, she came to realise that the racism she had experienced when in her youth was largely due to a knowledge gap, 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 there's a sense of despair," she expresses.

Because of this, it's particularly meaningful, she says, that the film could bring "optimism and happiness to various groups".

"Maybe that's why it became this movie of the summer, because there was a need for some hope and a unifying element as one."

The growth of AI is a significant worry for the entertainment sector, raising the possibility that in future it could be used to produce a film like KPop Demon Hunters.

Cho acknowledges she is conscious that AI is already being used to replicate performers' vocals, but aims to "maintain faith in people" that individuals will still seek out human-made creativity.

"Sure, I'm sure they're going to have AI actors and singers. I'm aware they're already here. I understand our voices are already being altered, but I hope people have appreciation 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 prestigious charts. It has its own fan creations, and audiences globally are demanding a sequel.

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

"I'm aware there's lots of murmurs, the feedback is positive," she shares. "So we shall see, and I believe everyone in the world would protest if there wasn't."

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