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"{I hated that I had Asian features, that I lacked light-colored eyes and blonde hair, because that's what was beautiful at the time," says the actress, who portrayed Rumi in Netflix's highly successful animated film, KPop Demon Hunters.

Cho, 40, recalls her early years 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 film, which tells the story of a girl group who must rescue humanity from dark powers, the protagonist has to accept her true nature as a hybrid being – and when Cho first saw the screenplay, this resonated powerfully.

"Being born in America, identifying as American but having others view me like I'm not, grappling with my sense of self as an Korean-American, as a Korean-American, as a woman," she explains.

These elements were components of her formative years that paralleled Rumi's journey.

"Truthfully, at various stages in my life, 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, the animated feature registered 33 million views in just 14 days, and secured the highest positions of the streaming rankings in dozens of nations. To star in the pioneering animation with a Korean setting, with Korean leads, was for Cho "a dream come true" – but it has also made her a inspiring figure for Asian-American children, the kind that was missing when she was young.

Cho says many Korean-Americans have told her it's "such a refreshing moment", making them feel pride for the first instance of their dual heritage and cultural roots.

"In my view 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, inspiring travel to Korea, currently," Cho says.

But the movie's triumph was uncertain and the actress says she felt the team making it were "sometimes facing an uphill battle".

"I feel like it's unfortunate to mention this, but whenever there's an Asian-led project, it's perceived like it's a risk," she reveals.

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

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

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

Reports have estimated that up to 150,000 Korean immigrants without proper documentation, including adopted children, are among those who could be removed.

As an adult, she 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 meant to be Korean or Asian.

"But now, in this day and age, when it seems the world and people should know better, it's deeply disheartening and at times it appears there's a sense of despair," she says.

Because of this, it feels very special, she notes, that the film could bring "hope and joy and love to various groups".

"Maybe that's why it became this movie of the summer, because we just needed some hope and something to unite us as one."

The growth of AI is a significant worry for the entertainment sector, creating the potential that in future it could be used to produce a movie like the animation.

Cho says she is conscious that AI is already being used to copy actors' voices, but aims to "have hope in humanity" that audiences will still seek out art created by humans.

"Sure, I'm sure there will be AI actors and singers. I know they already exist. I understand our voices are already being manipulated, but I hope the public have appreciation and desire for something real."

KPop Demon Hunters has also been leading the global music charts, with seven tracks from its soundtrack featured on the Billboard Hot 100. It has its own fan creations, and viewers around the world are calling for a sequel.

Cho tells us she would like to confirm the question of if a sequel is planned – but both she and fans will have to await the platform or the studio, which made the film, to give it the green light.

"I know there's lots of murmurs, I've heard wonderful things," she shares. "So we shall see, and I believe everyone in the world would protest if it didn't happen."

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