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"{I hated that I had Asian features, that I lacked blue eyes and blonde hair, because that's what was beautiful back then," reveals the actress, who portrayed Rumi in Netflix's chart-topping movie, KPop Demon Hunters.

The performer, forty, recalls her childhood in the southern state, as the eldest daughter of Korean immigrant parents and her journey toward belonging in the United States.

In the film, which tells the story of a female K-Pop trio who must save the world from evil forces, Rumi 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.

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

These were all aspects of her early life that mirrored Rumi's journey.

"I can honestly say, at different points in my existence, I despised many parts of me and I wanted to be someone else.

"During childhood, what you see influences your development and it seems I just didn't see enough people that shared my appearance."

When it launched on Netflix in the summer, KPop Demon Hunters achieved millions of streams in just 14 days, and reached the highest positions of the streaming rankings in dozens of nations. To be part of the first Hollywood animated film with a Korean setting, with Asian protagonists, was for Cho "an aspiration realized" – but it has also made her a powerful role model for Asian-American children, the type that was missing when she was young.

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

"I feel like Korean pop music has genuinely broken barriers. Korean cosmetics has had a significant influence on Korea being loved. But I feel like this movie is the one that pushed it further, of, everybody wants to go to Korea, currently," she comments.

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 whenever there's an Asian-led project, it's perceived like a gamble," she reveals.

So, when she took on the role, she took steps to meet everyone working on the film face-to-face, she says.

The film was launched amid heightened enforcement actions in the United States as part of extensive removal policies, which sparked protests in numerous regions.

As an person of Asian descent living in the US "it's heartbreaking and disappointing," she states. "Immigrants have shaped the nation."

Reports have estimated that up to one hundred fifty thousand Korean immigrants lacking legal status, including those who were adopted, are among those who could be removed.

As an grown-up, Cho 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 of Asian descent.

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

Due to this, it feels very special, she says, that KPop Demon Hunters could bring "hope and joy and love to various groups".

"Maybe that's why it's sort of like this movie of the summer, because we just needed positivity and a unifying element as one."

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 aware that AI is already being used to replicate actors' voices, but aims to "maintain faith in people" that individuals will still pursue human-made creativity.

"Sure, I believe they're going to have digital performers and singers. I know they're already here. I know performers' voices are already being manipulated, but I hope the public have appreciation and want and love for authentic creations."

The film has also been leading the international music rankings, with multiple songs from its score featured on the prestigious charts. It has its own fan art, and audiences globally are demanding a sequel.

Cho reveals she would like to confirm the inquiry of if a sequel is planned – but both she and fans will have to await the streaming service or the studio, which produced the movie, to give it the green light.

"I know rumors are circulating, the feedback is positive," she shares. "Only time will tell, and I think everyone in the world would protest if there wasn't."

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