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"{I disliked that I looked Asian, that I lacked blue eyes and fair hair, because those were the beauty standards back then," says the actress, who portrayed Rumi in Netflix's chart-topping animated film, KPop Demon Hunters.

The performer, 40, is describing her early years in the southern state, as the eldest daughter of parents who emigrated from Korea and her struggle for acceptance in American society.

In the movie, which narrates the tale of a female K-Pop trio who must rescue humanity from evil forces, the protagonist has to accept her true nature as part human, part demon – and when Cho first saw the screenplay, this resonated powerfully.

"Being born in America, identifying as American but having people treat me like a foreigner, trying to figure out my identity as an Asian-American, as a Korean-American, as a female," she explains.

These were all components of her formative years that mirrored Rumi's journey.

"I can honestly say, at different points in my existence, I despised many parts of me and I longed to become someone else.

"During childhood, your surroundings influences who you become and it seems I lacked exposure to enough people that shared my appearance."

When it launched on Netflix in June, KPop Demon Hunters registered 33 million views in just 14 days, and secured the highest positions of the Netflix charts in dozens of nations. To be part of the pioneering animation with a Korean setting, with Korean leads, was for Cho "a dream come true" – but it has also established her as a inspiring figure for Asian-American children, the kind that was missing when in her youth.

Cho notes many individuals of Korean descent have told her 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 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 pushed it further, of, inspiring travel to Korea, currently," she comments.

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

"It seems it kind of sucks to say this, but whenever there's an Asian-led project, it's perceived like it's a risk," she says.

So, when she accepted the part, she made an effort to connect with the entire cast and crew face-to-face, she says.

The film was launched amid heightened enforcement actions in the US as part of mass deportation efforts, which sparked protests in many states.

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

Reports have suggested that up to one hundred fifty thousand Korean immigrants without proper documentation, including those who were adopted, are among those who could be deported.

As an adult, she came to realise that the racism she had experienced when she was younger stemmed mainly from a lack of education, as people didn't know what it signified to be of Asian descent.

"However today, in this day and age, when it seems the world and individuals ought to be more informed, it's deeply disheartening and sometimes I feel like there's a sense of despair," she says.

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

"Maybe that's why it became the season's hit film, because there was a need for positivity and a unifying element as one."

The advancement of artificial intelligence is a major concern for the entertainment sector, creating the potential that in future it could be used to produce a movie like the animation.

Cho acknowledges she is conscious that technology is already being used to replicate performers' vocals, but wants to "maintain faith in people" that individuals will still seek out human-made creativity.

"Sure, I'm sure they're going to have AI actors and vocalists. I'm aware they already exist. I know our voices are already being altered, but I trust people have some respect and want and love for something real."

The film has also been leading the global music charts, with seven tracks from its score appearing in the prestigious charts. It has its own fan creations, and audiences globally are calling for a follow-up.

She reveals she wishes she could answer the inquiry of whether that will happen – 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 know rumors are circulating, I've heard wonderful things," she says. "So we shall see, and I believe everyone in the world would riot if there wasn't."

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