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"{I hated that I had Asian features, that I lacked light-colored eyes and fair hair, because those were the beauty standards at the time," says the actress, who voiced the lead character in Netflix's chart-topping movie, the K-pop themed animation.

Cho, forty, recalls her childhood in the southern state, as the eldest daughter of Korean immigrant parents and her struggle for acceptance in the United States.

In the film, which narrates the tale of a girl group who must save the world from dark powers, the protagonist has to come to terms with her identity as a hybrid being – and when she first read the script, this resonated powerfully.

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

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

"I can honestly say, at various stages in my life, I hated many parts of me and I longed to become a different person.

"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 millions of streams in just two weeks, and secured the top 10 of the streaming rankings in 93 countries. To star in the first Hollywood animated film set in Korea, with Korean leads, was for Cho "a dream come true" – but it has also established her as a powerful role model for Asian-American children, the type that was missing when she was young.

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

"In my view Korean pop music has genuinely broken barriers. K-beauty has had such a big impact on Korea being loved. But I feel like the film is the one that pushed it further, of, inspiring travel to Korea, now," Cho says.

But the movie's triumph was uncertain and Cho admits she felt the team making it were "occasionally struggling against odds".

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

So, when she accepted the part, she took steps to meet the entire cast and crew in person, she adds.

The movie was launched amid increased immigration raids in the United States as part of mass deportation efforts, which triggered demonstrations in numerous regions.

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

Korean news sources have suggested that up to one hundred fifty thousand individuals from Korea lacking legal status, including those who were adopted, are among those who could be deported.

As an grown-up, she came to realise that the prejudice she had experienced when she was younger stemmed mainly from a knowledge gap, as people didn't know what it signified to be of Asian descent.

"However today, in the modern era, when I feel like the society and people ought to be more informed, it's deeply disheartening and sometimes I feel like we feel so hopeless," she expresses.

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

"Perhaps this explains it became the season's hit film, because we just needed 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 make a film like the animation.

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

"Certainly, I believe there will be digital performers and vocalists. I'm aware they already exist. I know performers' voices are already being altered, but I trust the public have some respect and desire for something real."

The film has also been dominating the global music charts, with seven tracks from its soundtrack appearing in the Billboard Hot 100. It has its own fan creations, and audiences around the world are demanding a sequel.

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

"I know rumors are circulating, the feedback is positive," she says. "So we shall see, and I think everyone in the world would protest if there wasn't."

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