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"{I hated that I looked Asian, that I didn't have blue eyes and fair hair, because that's what was beautiful back then," reveals the actress, who portrayed the lead character in the streaming platform's highly successful 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 struggle for acceptance in American society.

In the movie, which tells the story of a female K-Pop trio who must save the world from dark powers, the protagonist has to accept her identity as part human, part demon – and when she first saw the screenplay, this resonated powerfully.

"Being born in America, identifying as American but having people treat me like I'm not, grappling with my sense of self as an Korean-American, as a Korean-American, as a female," she explains.

These were all aspects of her formative years that mirrored the character's path.

"Truthfully, at various stages in my existence, I despised a lot of myself and I wanted to be someone else.

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

When it launched on Netflix in June, KPop Demon Hunters registered millions of streams in just 14 days, and reached the highest positions of the streaming rankings in dozens of nations. To be part of the first Hollywood animated film set in Korea, with Asian protagonists, was for Cho "an aspiration realized" – but it has also established her as a inspiring figure for young Asian-Americans, the type that was missing when in her youth.

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

"In my view K-Pop has genuinely broken barriers. K-beauty has had such a big impact on Korea being loved. But I feel like the film is the one that pushed it further, of, inspiring travel to Korea, now," Cho says.

But the movie's triumph was uncertain and Cho says she felt the team making it were "sometimes facing an uphill battle".

"I feel like it kind of sucks to mention this, but any time there's an Asian-led project, people feel like a gamble," she reveals.

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

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

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

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

As an adult, she came to realise that the racism she had experienced when in her youth was largely due to a lack of education, as many were unaware what it signified to be of Asian descent.

"But now, in this day and age, when I feel like the society and individuals ought to be more informed, it is beyond disappointing and at times I feel like 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 various groups".

"Perhaps this explains it's sort of like this movie of the summer, because there was a need for positivity and something to unite us as one."

The growth of AI is a significant worry for the entertainment sector, creating the potential that in future it could be used to produce a movie like the animation.

Cho acknowledges she is conscious that AI is already being used to replicate actors' voices, but wants to "have hope in humanity" that audiences will still pursue art created by humans.

"Certainly, I believe they're going to have digital performers and singers. I'm aware they're already here. I understand performers' voices are already being altered, but I trust the public have appreciation and desire for authentic creations."

KPop Demon Hunters has also been leading the global music charts, with multiple songs from its soundtrack featured on the prestigious charts. It has its own fan creations, and viewers around the world are demanding a follow-up.

She tells us she would like to confirm the inquiry of if a sequel is planned – but both everyone involved will have to wait for the platform or the studio, which made the film, to give it the green light.

"I know there's lots of murmurs, I've heard wonderful things," she says. "Only time will tell, and I think everyone in the world would protest if it didn't happen."

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