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"{I hated that I looked Asian, that I didn't have light-colored eyes and fair hair, because that's what was beautiful back then," reveals the actress, who voiced the lead character in Netflix's highly successful movie, the K-pop themed animation.

The performer, forty, recalls her early years in the southern state, as the eldest daughter of Korean immigrant parents and her journey toward belonging in American society.

In the film, which narrates the tale of a female K-Pop trio who must save the world from evil forces, Rumi has to accept her true nature as a hybrid being – and when she first read the script, this struck a deep chord.

"Growing up in the US, identifying as American but having people treat me like a foreigner, grappling with my sense of self as an Korean-American, as a Korean-American, as a woman," she explains.

These elements were aspects of her early life that mirrored the character's path.

"Truthfully, at different points in my existence, I despised many parts of me and I longed to become a different person.

"As kids, what you see shapes your development and it seems I just didn't see enough people that shared my appearance."

When it launched on Netflix in June, KPop Demon Hunters achieved 33 million views in just 14 days, and reached the highest positions of the Netflix charts in dozens of nations. To star in the pioneering animation with a Korean setting, with Asian protagonists, was for Cho "an aspiration realized" – but it has also established her as a inspiring figure for young Asian-Americans, the type that she lacked when she was young.

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

"I feel like K-Pop has genuinely broken barriers. K-beauty has had a significant influence on Korea being loved. But I believe this movie is the one that pushed it further, of, everybody wants to go to Korea, now," she comments.

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

"I feel like it's unfortunate to say this, but any time there's an Asian-led project, it's perceived like it's a risk," she says.

So, when she took on the role, she made an effort to meet the entire cast and crew face-to-face, she adds.

The movie was launched against the backdrop of increased immigration raids in the US as part of extensive removal policies, which triggered demonstrations in numerous regions.

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

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

As an adult, Cho came to realise that the prejudice she had experienced when in her youth stemmed mainly from a lack of education, as many were unaware what it signified to be Korean or Asian.

"But now, in this day and age, when I feel like the society and people should know better, it's deeply disheartening and sometimes it appears there's a sense of despair," she says.

Because of this, it's particularly meaningful, she notes, that the film could bring "hope and joy and love to all these different communities".

"Maybe that's why it's sort of like the season's hit film, because we just needed some hope and a unifying element as one."

The growth of AI is a major concern for the film industry, raising the possibility that in coming years it could be used to make a film like KPop Demon Hunters.

Cho acknowledges she is aware that AI is already being used to replicate performers' vocals, but aims to "maintain faith in people" that audiences will still pursue human-made creativity.

"Sure, I'm sure there will be AI actors and singers. I'm aware they're already here. I know our voices are already being altered, but I trust people have appreciation and want and love for something real."

KPop Demon Hunters has also been dominating the global music charts, with seven tracks from its score featured on the prestigious charts. It has its own fan creations, and audiences around the world are demanding a sequel.

She reveals she wishes she could answer the inquiry of if a sequel is planned – but both everyone involved will have to await the platform or the studio, which produced the movie, to approve the project.

"I know rumors are circulating, I've heard wonderful things," she says. "Only time will tell, and I think fans everywhere would protest if it didn't happen."

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