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"{I disliked that I had Asian features, that I lacked blue eyes and fair hair, because those were the beauty standards back then," reveals the actress, who voiced the lead character in Netflix's highly successful animated film, the K-pop themed animation.

The performer, 40, 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 movie, which narrates the tale of a female K-Pop trio who must rescue humanity from dark powers, the protagonist has to accept her true nature as part human, part demon – and when she first read the script, this resonated powerfully.

"Growing up in the US, 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 Asian-American, as a woman," she explains.

These elements were aspects of her formative years that mirrored the character's path.

"Truthfully, at different points in my life, I despised many parts of me and I wanted to be someone else.

"As kids, your surroundings shapes 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 registered millions of streams in just 14 days, and secured the top 10 of the streaming rankings in dozens of nations. To star in the pioneering animation set in Korea, with Korean leads, was for Cho "a dream come true" – but it has also made her a inspiring figure for Asian-American children, the kind that was missing when in her youth.

Cho says many Korean-Americans 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 Korean pop music really, truly, has paved the way. Korean cosmetics has had such a big impact on global appreciation for Korea. But I feel like this movie is the one that pushed it further, of, inspiring travel to Korea, now," she comments.

But the film's success was not guaranteed and Cho says she felt the team making it were "sometimes facing an uphill battle".

"It seems it kind of sucks to mention this, but any time there's an production with Asian leads, people feel like it's a risk," she says.

So, when she accepted the part, she made an effort to connect with everyone working on the film face-to-face, she adds.

The film was launched amid heightened enforcement actions in the US as part of extensive removal policies, which triggered demonstrations in many states.

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

Korean news sources have suggested that up to 150,000 Korean immigrants without proper documentation, including those who were adopted, are among those who could be deported.

As an adult, she understood that the prejudice she had encountered when she was younger was largely due to a knowledge gap, as people didn't know what it signified to be of Asian descent.

"But now, in the modern era, when I feel like the society and individuals ought to be more informed, it's deeply disheartening and sometimes I feel like there's a sense of despair," she expresses.

Because of this, it's particularly meaningful, she notes, that the film could bring "hope and joy and love to various groups".

"Perhaps this explains it's sort of like the season's hit film, because there was a need for positivity and something to unite us as one."

The growth of AI is a major concern for the entertainment sector, creating the potential that in coming years it could be used to make a film like KPop Demon Hunters.

The actress acknowledges she is aware that AI is already being used to replicate performers' vocals, but wants to "have hope in humanity" that audiences will still pursue art created by humans.

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

KPop Demon Hunters has also been leading the global music charts, with multiple songs from its soundtrack featured on the prestigious charts. It has its own fan creations, and viewers globally are demanding a follow-up.

Cho 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 streaming service or the studio, which made the film, to approve the project.

"I'm aware there's lots of murmurs, the feedback is positive," she shares. "So we shall see, and I think everyone in the world would protest if there wasn't."

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