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"{I disliked that I had Asian features, that I didn't have light-colored eyes and blonde hair, because those were the beauty standards back then," says the actress, who portrayed Rumi in the streaming platform's highly successful movie, KPop Demon Hunters.

Cho, forty, recalls her early years in the southern state, as the firstborn child of Korean immigrant parents and her journey toward belonging in American society.

In the film, which narrates the tale of a girl group who must save the world from dark powers, the protagonist has to accept her identity as a hybrid being – and when she first saw the screenplay, this resonated powerfully.

"Growing up in the US, identifying as American but having others view me like a foreigner, grappling with my identity as an Asian-American, as a Korean-American, as a woman," she explains.

These were all aspects 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.

"As kids, what you see influences who you become and I feel like I just didn't see sufficient individuals 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 streaming rankings in dozens of nations. To star in the pioneering animation with a Korean setting, with Korean leads, was for Cho "a dream come true" – but it has also made her a powerful role model for Asian-American children, the kind that was missing when in her youth.

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 cultural roots.

"In my view Korean pop music really, truly, has paved the way. K-beauty has had a significant influence on Korea being loved. But I believe the film is the one that pushed it further, of, inspiring travel to Korea, now," she comments.

But the film's success was uncertain and the actress says she felt the team making it were "occasionally struggling against odds".

"It seems it kind of sucks to mention this, but whenever there's an production with Asian leads, it's perceived like a gamble," she says.

So, when she accepted the part, she took steps to meet the entire cast and crew in person, she adds.

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

As an person of Asian descent living in the US "it's heartbreaking and disappointing," says Cho. "Immigrants have made America what it is."

Reports have suggested that up to 150,000 Korean immigrants without proper documentation, including those who were adopted, are among those who could be deported.

As an adult, Cho understood that the prejudice she had experienced when in her youth stemmed mainly from a knowledge gap, 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's deeply disheartening and at times I feel like there's a sense of despair," she expresses.

Due to this, it's particularly meaningful, she says, that KPop Demon Hunters could bring "optimism and happiness to all these different communities".

"Maybe that's why it's sort of like the season's hit film, because we just needed some hope and a unifying element all together."

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

The actress acknowledges she is conscious that AI is already being used to replicate performers' vocals, but aims to "maintain faith in people" that audiences will still pursue human-made creativity.

"Sure, I'm sure there will be AI actors and singers. I know they're already here. I know performers' voices are already being altered, but I trust people have appreciation and want and love for authentic creations."

KPop Demon Hunters 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 viewers around the world are demanding a sequel.

She reveals she would like to confirm the inquiry of if a sequel is planned – but both everyone involved will have to wait for the streaming service or the production company, which produced the movie, to give it the green light.

"I know rumors are circulating, the feedback is positive," she shares. "Only time will tell, and I believe fans everywhere would protest if there wasn't."

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