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"{I hated that I had Asian features, that I lacked light-colored eyes and fair hair, because those were the beauty standards back then," reveals the actress, who portrayed the lead character in the streaming platform's highly successful movie, the K-pop themed animation.

The performer, forty, is describing her childhood in Texas, as the firstborn child of Korean immigrant parents and her struggle for acceptance in American society.

In the film, which tells the story of a girl group who must save the world from dark powers, Rumi has to come to terms with her identity as part human, part demon – and when she first saw the screenplay, this struck a deep chord.

"Growing up in the US, identifying as American but having people treat me like a foreigner, grappling with my identity as an Asian-American, as a Asian-American, as a female," she explains.

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

"I can honestly say, at various stages in my existence, I hated many parts of me and I wanted to be someone else.

"During childhood, what you see influences who you become and it seems I lacked exposure to sufficient individuals that shared my appearance."

When it launched on Netflix in June, the animated feature achieved 33 million views in just two weeks, and secured the highest positions of the Netflix charts in dozens of nations. To star in the pioneering animation set in Korea, with Asian protagonists, was for Cho "an aspiration realized" – but it has also established her as a inspiring figure for Asian-American children, the type that was missing when she was young.

Cho notes many individuals of Korean descent have told her it's "such a refreshing moment", making them proud for the first time of their dual heritage and cultural roots.

"In my view K-Pop really, truly, has paved the way. K-beauty has had a significant influence on global appreciation for Korea. But I feel like this movie is the one that tipped it over the edge, of, inspiring travel to Korea, now," she comments.

But the movie's triumph was not guaranteed and Cho admits she felt the team making it were "occasionally struggling against odds".

"It seems it's unfortunate to mention this, but whenever there's an Asian-led project, people feel like it's a risk," she reveals.

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

The movie was released amid heightened enforcement actions in the US 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. "Newcomers have shaped the nation."

Korean news sources have suggested that up to 150,000 Korean immigrants lacking legal status, including adopted children, are among those who could be deported.

As an grown-up, Cho came to realise that the racism she had experienced when in her youth stemmed mainly from a lack of education, as many were unaware what it signified to be Korean or Asian.

"However today, in this day and age, when I feel like the world and individuals should know better, it's deeply disheartening and sometimes I feel like we feel so hopeless," she expresses.

Because of this, it's particularly meaningful, she says, that the film could bring "optimism and happiness to all these different communities".

"Maybe that's why it became the season's hit film, because we just needed positivity and a unifying element as one."

The growth of AI is a major concern for the film industry, raising the possibility that in future it could be used to make a movie like the animation.

Cho acknowledges she is aware that technology is already being used to copy performers' vocals, but aims to "have hope in humanity" that individuals will still seek out human-made creativity.

"Certainly, I'm sure they're going to have digital performers and vocalists. I'm aware they already exist. I know performers' voices are already being manipulated, but I trust the public have appreciation and want and love for something real."

KPop Demon Hunters has also been leading the global music charts, with seven tracks from its soundtrack appearing in the Billboard Hot 100. It has its own fan art, and audiences around the world are demanding a follow-up.

She tells us she wishes she could answer the inquiry of whether that will happen – but both she and fans will have to await the streaming service or the studio, which produced the movie, to give it the green light.

"I'm aware rumors are circulating, I've heard wonderful things," she shares. "Only time will tell, and I believe everyone in the world would riot if it didn't happen."

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