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"{I hated that I looked Asian, that I lacked light-colored eyes and fair hair, because that's what was beautiful back then," says the actress, who portrayed the lead character in the streaming platform's chart-topping movie, the K-pop themed animation.

The performer, forty, is describing her childhood in Texas, as the eldest daughter of Korean immigrant parents and her struggle for acceptance in the United States.

In the film, which narrates the tale of a girl group who must rescue humanity from dark powers, the protagonist has to accept her true nature as part human, part demon – and when Cho first read the script, this struck a deep chord.

"Growing up in the US, feeling American but having people treat me like I'm not, trying to figure out my identity as an Korean-American, as a Korean-American, as a woman," she says.

These elements were aspects of her formative years that paralleled Rumi's journey.

"Truthfully, at various stages in my life, I despised a lot of myself and I longed to become a different person.

"As kids, your surroundings influences who you become and it seems I lacked exposure to sufficient individuals that shared my appearance."

When it launched on Netflix in the summer, KPop Demon Hunters registered 33 million views in just 14 days, and secured the highest positions of the streaming rankings in 93 countries. To be part of the first Hollywood animated film set in Korea, with Asian protagonists, was for her "a dream come true" – but it has also made her a inspiring figure for Asian-American children, the kind that she lacked when in her youth.

Cho says many individuals of Korean descent have told her it's "such a refreshing moment", making them feel pride for the first time of their dual heritage and culture.

"I feel like Korean pop music has genuinely broken barriers. K-beauty has had such a big impact on global appreciation for Korea. But I believe this movie is the one that tipped it over the edge, of, inspiring travel to Korea, currently," she comments.

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

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

So, when she accepted the part, she made an effort to meet everyone working on the film face-to-face, she adds.

The movie was launched against the backdrop of increased immigration raids in the US as part of mass deportation efforts, which triggered demonstrations in numerous regions.

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

Reports have estimated that up to one hundred fifty thousand individuals from Korea lacking legal status, including adopted children, are among those who could be removed.

As an adult, she came to realise that the racism she had encountered 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 the modern era, when I feel like the world and people ought to be more informed, it is beyond disappointing and at times it appears there's a sense of despair," she expresses.

Due to this, it's particularly meaningful, she notes, that KPop Demon Hunters 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 major concern for the entertainment sector, raising the possibility that in coming years it could be used to produce a film like the animation.

The actress says she is aware that AI is already being used to replicate performers' vocals, but wants to "maintain faith in people" that individuals will still pursue art created by humans.

"Certainly, I believe they're going to have AI actors and singers. I know they already exist. I understand performers' voices are already being altered, but I hope the public have some respect and desire for authentic creations."

KPop Demon Hunters has also been dominating the global music charts, with seven tracks from its score appearing in the prestigious charts. It has its own fan creations, and audiences around the world are calling for 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 wait for the platform or the production company, which produced the movie, to approve the project.

"I know rumors are circulating, the feedback is positive," she says. "Only time will tell, and I think everyone in the world would protest if it didn't happen."

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