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"{I hated that I had Asian features, that I didn't have blue eyes and fair hair, because that's what was beautiful at the time," says the actress, who portrayed the lead character in the streaming platform's highly successful movie, KPop Demon Hunters.

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

In the movie, which tells the story of a girl group 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 resonated powerfully.

"Being born in America, identifying as American but having others view 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 components of her early life that mirrored the character's path.

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

"During childhood, what you see shapes who you become and it seems I lacked exposure to sufficient individuals that shared my appearance."

When it debuted on the platform in June, KPop Demon Hunters achieved millions of streams in just two weeks, and secured the top 10 of the streaming rankings in 93 countries. To star in the pioneering animation with a Korean setting, with Asian protagonists, was for Cho "an aspiration realized" – but it has also made her a inspiring figure for young Asian-Americans, the type that she lacked when in her youth.

Cho says many individuals of Korean descent have expressed it's "such a refreshing moment", making them feel pride for the first time of their mixed background 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 the film is the one that pushed it further, of, everybody wants to go to Korea, now," Cho says.

But the film's success was uncertain and Cho admits she felt the production crew were "occasionally struggling against odds".

"I feel like it kind of sucks to say this, but whenever there's an Asian-led project, people feel like a gamble," she says.

So, when she accepted the part, she took steps to connect with everyone working on the film in person, she says.

The movie was released amid heightened enforcement actions in the US as part of extensive removal policies, which triggered demonstrations in numerous regions.

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

Korean news sources have suggested that up to one hundred fifty thousand Korean immigrants without proper documentation, including those who were adopted, are among those who could be deported.

As an grown-up, Cho understood that the racism she had experienced when in her youth was largely due to a lack of education, as people didn't know what it meant to be of Asian descent.

"But now, in this day and age, when it seems the world and people ought to be more informed, it's deeply disheartening and at times I feel like we feel so hopeless," she expresses.

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

"Perhaps this explains it became the season's hit film, because there was a need for positivity and a unifying element as one."

The advancement of artificial intelligence is a major concern for the entertainment sector, raising the possibility that in future it could be used to make a film like KPop Demon Hunters.

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

"Sure, I believe they're going to have AI actors and vocalists. I know they're already here. I understand our voices are already being altered, but I trust the public have appreciation and desire for authentic creations."

The film has also been dominating the global music charts, with multiple songs from its score featured on the Billboard Hot 100. It has its own fan creations, and audiences around the world are calling for a sequel.

She reveals she would like to confirm the inquiry of whether that will happen – but both she and fans will have to await the platform or the studio, which produced the movie, to give it the green light.

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

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