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"{I hated that I looked Asian, that I didn't have light-colored eyes and blonde hair, because those were the beauty standards at the time," reveals the actress, who portrayed the lead character in Netflix's chart-topping movie, the K-pop themed animation.

Cho, forty, is describing her childhood in the southern state, as the eldest daughter of parents who emigrated from Korea and her journey toward belonging in the United States.

In the movie, which tells the story of a female K-Pop trio who must rescue humanity from evil forces, the protagonist has to come to terms with her true nature as part human, part demon – and when she first read the script, this resonated powerfully.

"Being born in America, feeling American but having people treat me like I'm not, trying to figure out my sense of self as an Korean-American, as a Asian-American, as a female," she says.

These elements were components of her formative years that paralleled the character's path.

"I can honestly say, at different points in my existence, I hated a lot of myself and I wanted to be someone else.

"During childhood, what you see shapes who you become and it seems I lacked exposure to sufficient individuals that look like me."

When it debuted on the platform in June, KPop Demon Hunters registered millions of streams in just two weeks, and reached the highest positions of the Netflix charts in dozens of nations. To be part of the first Hollywood animated film set in Korea, with Korean leads, was for her "an aspiration realized" – but it has also established her as a inspiring figure for Asian-American children, the kind that was missing when she was young.

She says many Korean-Americans 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. Korean cosmetics has had such a big impact on Korea being loved. But I believe 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 says she felt the production crew were "occasionally struggling against odds".

"It seems it's unfortunate to say this, but whenever there's an production with Asian leads, people feel like it's a risk," she reveals.

So, when she took on the role, she made an effort to connect with the entire cast and crew face-to-face, she says.

The film was released amid increased immigration raids in the US as part of mass deportation efforts, which sparked protests in many states.

As an Asian-American residing in America "it's deeply saddening," she states. "Newcomers have made America what it is."

Korean news sources have suggested that up to 150,000 Korean immigrants without proper documentation, including adopted children, are among those who could be deported.

As an grown-up, Cho came to realise that the prejudice she had encountered when she was younger was largely due to a knowledge gap, as many were unaware what it signified to be Korean or Asian.

"But now, in the modern era, when I feel like the society and people ought to be more informed, it's deeply disheartening and at times it appears we feel so hopeless," she says.

Due to this, it feels very special, she notes, that KPop Demon Hunters could bring "hope and joy and love to all these different communities".

"Maybe that's why it's sort of like this movie of the summer, because we just needed some hope and a unifying element all together."

The growth of AI is a significant worry for the film industry, creating the potential that in future it could be used to make a movie like KPop Demon Hunters.

Cho says she is conscious that technology is already being used to copy actors' voices, but wants to "have hope in humanity" that individuals will still pursue art created by humans.

"Certainly, I'm sure there will be AI actors and vocalists. I'm aware they already exist. I know performers' voices are already being altered, but I trust people have appreciation and want and love for something real."

KPop Demon Hunters has also been leading the international music rankings, with multiple songs from its score appearing in the Billboard Hot 100. It has its own fan creations, and audiences globally are calling for a sequel.

She reveals she would like to confirm the inquiry of if a sequel is planned – but both everyone involved will have to wait for the platform or the studio, which produced the movie, to give it the green light.

"I'm aware rumors are circulating, the feedback is positive," she says. "So we shall see, and I think fans everywhere would riot if there wasn't."

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