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"{I hated that I looked Asian, that I didn't have blue eyes and blonde hair, because that's what was beautiful back then," reveals the actress, who portrayed the lead character in Netflix's chart-topping movie, the K-pop themed animation.

The performer, 40, is describing her childhood in the southern state, as the eldest daughter of Korean immigrant parents and her journey toward belonging in American society.

In the film, which narrates the tale of a female K-Pop trio who must save the world from evil forces, the protagonist has to accept her identity as a hybrid being – and when Cho first read the script, this resonated powerfully.

"Growing up in the US, identifying as American but having people treat me like I'm not, grappling with my identity as an Asian-American, as a Asian-American, as a woman," she says.

These were all components of her early life that mirrored the character's path.

"Truthfully, at different points in my existence, I despised many parts of me and I longed to become a different person.

"As kids, what you see influences your development and I feel like I lacked exposure to enough people that look like me."

When it launched on Netflix in June, the animated feature achieved 33 million views in just 14 days, and reached the highest positions of the Netflix charts in 93 countries. To star in the first Hollywood animated film set in Korea, with Asian protagonists, was for her "an aspiration realized" – but it has also established her as a powerful role model for young Asian-Americans, the type that she lacked 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 K-Pop really, truly, has paved the way. K-beauty 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, now," Cho says.

But the movie's triumph was not guaranteed and the actress says she felt the production crew were "sometimes facing an uphill battle".

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

So, when she accepted the part, she took steps to connect with the entire cast and crew face-to-face, she says.

The film was launched amid increased immigration raids in the United States as part of extensive removal policies, which triggered demonstrations in many states.

As an Asian-American residing in America "it's heartbreaking and disappointing," says Cho. "Immigrants have made America what it is."

Korean news sources have suggested that up to 150,000 individuals from Korea lacking legal status, including those who were adopted, are among those who could be removed.

As an adult, Cho understood that the prejudice she had experienced when in her youth stemmed mainly from a lack of education, as people didn't know what it signified to be of Asian descent.

"But now, in this day and age, when it seems the world and people should know better, it's deeply disheartening and sometimes I feel like we feel so hopeless," she says.

Because of 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 some hope and a unifying element all together."

The growth of AI is a major concern for the entertainment sector, raising the possibility that in future it could be used to produce a film like KPop Demon Hunters.

Cho acknowledges she is conscious 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.

"Sure, I'm sure they're going to have AI actors and vocalists. I know they already exist. I understand our voices are already being manipulated, but I hope people have appreciation and want and love for authentic creations."

KPop Demon Hunters has also been leading the global music charts, with seven tracks from its soundtrack appearing in the prestigious charts. It has its own fan art, and viewers around the world are demanding a follow-up.

Cho tells us she wishes she could answer the inquiry of whether that will happen – but both everyone involved will have to await the platform or the production company, which produced the movie, to approve the project.

"I know there's lots of murmurs, the feedback is positive," she says. "So we shall see, and I believe fans everywhere would protest if there wasn't."

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