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"{I hated that I had Asian features, that I didn't have blue eyes and blonde hair, because that's what was beautiful at the time," reveals the actress, who voiced Rumi in Netflix's chart-topping movie, the K-pop themed animation.

The performer, forty, is describing her early years in the southern state, as the firstborn child of parents who emigrated from Korea and her journey toward belonging in American society.

In the movie, which narrates the tale of a girl group who must rescue humanity from dark powers, the protagonist has to come to terms with her true nature as part human, part demon – and when she first saw the screenplay, this struck a deep chord.

"Growing up in the US, feeling American but having others view me like I'm not, trying to figure out my identity as an Asian-American, as a Korean-American, as a female," she says.

These were all components of her formative years that mirrored the character's path.

"I can honestly say, at various stages in my life, I hated a lot of myself and I wanted to be someone else.

"As kids, your surroundings shapes your development and it seems I lacked exposure to sufficient individuals that shared my appearance."

When it launched on Netflix in June, KPop Demon Hunters registered 33 million views in just 14 days, and reached the highest positions of the streaming rankings in 93 countries. To star in the pioneering animation with a Korean setting, with Korean leads, was for her "a dream come true" – but it has also established her as a powerful role model for young Asian-Americans, the kind that she lacked when she was young.

She notes many Korean-Americans have expressed it's "such a refreshing moment", making them feel pride for the first instance of their mixed background and culture.

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

But the film's success was uncertain and the actress admits she felt the team making it were "occasionally struggling against odds".

"It seems it's unfortunate to mention this, but whenever there's an Asian-led project, it's perceived like a gamble," she reveals.

So, when she accepted the part, she made an effort to meet everyone working on the film in person, she adds.

The film was launched amid heightened enforcement actions in the United States as part of mass deportation efforts, which triggered demonstrations 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 estimated that up to one hundred fifty thousand Korean immigrants lacking legal status, including adopted children, are among those who could be deported.

As an adult, she understood that the racism she had encountered when she was younger stemmed mainly from a lack of education, as many were unaware what it meant to be Korean or Asian.

"However today, in the modern era, when I feel like the world and people should know better, it is beyond disappointing and sometimes I feel like there's a sense of despair," she expresses.

Due to this, it's particularly meaningful, she says, that the film could bring "optimism and happiness to all these different communities".

"Perhaps this explains it became this movie of the summer, because there was a need for positivity and a unifying element all together."

The growth of AI is a major concern for the entertainment sector, raising the possibility that in coming years it could be used to produce a film like the animation.

The actress says she is conscious that AI 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 believe they're going to have digital performers and vocalists. I'm aware they already exist. I know our voices are already being manipulated, but I trust people have appreciation and want and love for something real."

The film has also been leading the global music charts, with seven tracks from its soundtrack 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 whether that will happen – but both everyone involved will have to wait for the streaming service or the production company, which made the film, to give it the green light.

"I know rumors are circulating, I've heard wonderful things," she says. "Only time will tell, and I believe everyone in the world would protest if it didn't happen."

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