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"{I hated that I had Asian features, that I lacked blue eyes and fair hair, because that's what was beautiful at the time," says the actress, who portrayed the lead character in the streaming platform's chart-topping movie, KPop Demon Hunters.

The performer, forty, is describing her early years in Texas, as the eldest daughter of Korean immigrant parents and her journey toward belonging in American society.

In the movie, which narrates the tale of a female K-Pop trio who must save the world from dark powers, Rumi has to accept her identity as part human, part demon – and when she first saw the screenplay, this struck a deep chord.

"Growing up in the US, feeling 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 elements were components of her formative years that mirrored the character's path.

"I can honestly say, at various stages in my life, I hated many parts of me and I wanted to be a different person.

"As kids, your surroundings shapes your development and I feel like I lacked exposure to enough people that shared my appearance."

When it launched on Netflix in June, the animated feature registered millions of streams in just 14 days, and reached the highest positions of the Netflix charts in dozens of nations. To star in the pioneering animation set in Korea, with Korean leads, was for Cho "an aspiration realized" – but it has also made her a powerful role model for young Asian-Americans, the kind that was missing when she was young.

Cho says many individuals of Korean descent have expressed it's "such a refreshing moment", making them feel pride for the first time of their mixed background and cultural roots.

"In my view Korean pop music really, truly, has paved the way. Korean cosmetics has had a significant influence on Korea being loved. But I believe the film is the one that pushed it further, of, everybody wants to go to Korea, now," Cho says.

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

"I feel like it's unfortunate to mention this, but any time there's an production with Asian leads, it's perceived like a gamble," she reveals.

So, when she took on the role, she made an effort to meet the entire cast and crew 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 triggered demonstrations in numerous regions.

As an person of Asian descent living in the US "it's heartbreaking and disappointing," says Cho. "Immigrants have shaped the nation."

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

As an grown-up, she came to realise that the prejudice she had encountered when she was younger stemmed mainly from a knowledge gap, 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 people should know better, it is beyond disappointing and at times I feel like there's a sense of despair," she expresses.

Due to this, it feels very special, she says, that KPop Demon Hunters could bring "hope and joy and love to various groups".

"Perhaps this explains it's sort of like this movie of the summer, because we just needed positivity and something to unite us all together."

The advancement of artificial intelligence is a major concern for the entertainment sector, raising the possibility that in future it could be used to produce a movie like KPop Demon Hunters.

The actress acknowledges she is aware that technology is already being used to replicate performers' vocals, but aims to "maintain faith in people" that audiences will still seek out art created by humans.

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

The film has also been leading the international music rankings, with seven tracks from its score appearing in the Billboard Hot 100. It has its own fan art, and viewers globally are demanding a follow-up.

Cho reveals she would like to confirm the question 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 approve the project.

"I'm aware 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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