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"{I hated that I looked Asian, that I didn't have light-colored eyes and blonde hair, because those were the beauty standards back then," reveals the actress, who voiced the lead character in Netflix's chart-topping animated film, the K-pop themed animation.

Cho, forty, is describing her childhood in Texas, as the firstborn child of parents who emigrated from Korea and her journey toward belonging in the United States.

In the film, which narrates the tale of a female K-Pop trio who must rescue humanity from evil forces, the protagonist has to accept her identity as a hybrid being – and when she first read the script, this resonated powerfully.

"Being born in America, identifying as American but having others view me like a foreigner, trying to figure out my sense of self as an Korean-American, as a Asian-American, as a woman," she says.

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

"Truthfully, at various stages in my existence, I despised many parts of me and I longed to become someone else.

"As kids, what you see shapes who you become and it seems I just didn't see sufficient individuals that look like me."

When it launched on Netflix in June, the animated feature registered millions of streams in just two weeks, and secured the highest positions of the streaming rankings in 93 countries. To star in the first Hollywood animated film set in Korea, with Korean leads, was for her "a dream come true" – but it has also made her a inspiring figure for Asian-American children, the type that she lacked when in her youth.

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

"In my view K-Pop really, truly, has paved the way. Korean cosmetics has had such a big impact on global appreciation for Korea. But I believe the film is the one that tipped it over the edge, of, inspiring travel to Korea, now," she comments.

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

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

So, when she accepted the part, she made an effort to meet everyone working on the film in person, she says.

The film was released amid heightened enforcement actions in the United States as part of extensive removal policies, which sparked protests in many states.

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

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

As an adult, she came to realise that the prejudice she had encountered when she was younger stemmed mainly from a knowledge gap, as people didn't know what it signified to be Korean or Asian.

"But now, in the modern era, when I feel like the society and people ought to be more informed, it's deeply disheartening and sometimes 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".

"Maybe that's why it's sort of like the season's hit film, because we just needed positivity and something to unite us 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 the animation.

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

"Certainly, I'm sure they're going to have AI actors and vocalists. I'm aware they already exist. I understand performers' voices are already being altered, but I hope people have appreciation and want and love for authentic creations."

KPop Demon Hunters has also been dominating the global music charts, with seven tracks from its soundtrack featured on the prestigious charts. It has its own fan creations, and audiences around the world are calling for a sequel.

Cho 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 studio, which made the film, to approve the project.

"I'm aware rumors are circulating, the feedback is positive," she says. "So we shall see, and I think fans everywhere would protest if there wasn't."

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