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"{I hated that I had Asian features, that I didn't have light-colored eyes and blonde hair, because that's what was beautiful at the time," says the actress, who portrayed Rumi in Netflix's chart-topping animated film, KPop Demon Hunters.

The performer, 40, is describing her childhood in the southern state, as the firstborn child of parents who emigrated from Korea and her struggle for acceptance in American society.

In the movie, which narrates the tale of a girl group who must rescue humanity from evil forces, the protagonist has to accept her true nature as a hybrid being – and when she first saw the screenplay, this resonated powerfully.

"Being born in America, identifying as American but having people treat me like I'm not, grappling with my identity as an Asian-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 life, I despised many parts of me and I longed to become someone else.

"As kids, what you see shapes your development and I feel like 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 reached the highest positions of the streaming rankings in dozens of nations. To be part of the first Hollywood animated film with a Korean setting, with Korean leads, was for Cho "an aspiration realized" – but it has also established her as a powerful role model for young Asian-Americans, the type that she lacked when in her youth.

Cho says many individuals of Korean descent have told her it's "a breath of fresh air", making them proud for the first instance of their dual heritage and cultural roots.

"I feel like K-Pop has genuinely broken barriers. Korean cosmetics has had a significant influence on Korea being loved. But I feel like the film is the one that tipped it over the edge, of, inspiring travel to Korea, currently," Cho says.

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

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

So, when she took on the role, she made an effort to connect with everyone working on the film face-to-face, she says.

The film was launched amid increased immigration raids in the US as part of mass deportation efforts, which triggered demonstrations in many states.

As an person of Asian descent residing in America "it's deeply saddening," says Cho. "Immigrants have shaped the nation."

Korean news sources have estimated that up to 150,000 individuals from Korea without proper documentation, including those who were adopted, are among those who could be deported.

As an grown-up, she understood that the prejudice she had encountered when in her youth stemmed mainly from a lack of education, as people didn't know what it meant to be of Asian descent.

"However today, in this day and age, when I feel like the society and individuals ought to be more informed, it's deeply disheartening and at times it appears there's a sense of despair," she expresses.

Because of this, it's particularly meaningful, she notes, that the film could bring "optimism and happiness to various groups".

"Perhaps this explains it became this movie of the summer, because we just needed 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 make a movie like the animation.

The actress says she is conscious that AI is already being used to copy actors' voices, but wants to "have hope in humanity" that individuals will still pursue human-made creativity.

"Certainly, I'm sure they're going to have digital performers and vocalists. I'm aware they're already here. I know performers' voices are already being manipulated, but I hope the public have some respect and desire for authentic creations."

KPop Demon Hunters has also been dominating the international music rankings, with multiple songs from its score appearing in the prestigious charts. It has its own fan creations, and viewers globally are calling for a sequel.

Cho 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 production company, which made the film, to give it the green light.

"I know rumors are circulating, the feedback is positive," she shares. "So we shall see, and I think everyone in the world would riot if there wasn't."

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