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"{I hated that I looked Asian, that I didn't have light-colored eyes and blonde hair, because those were the beauty standards at the time," says the actress, who portrayed the lead character in Netflix's chart-topping movie, KPop Demon Hunters.

The performer, forty, is describing her childhood in Texas, as the firstborn child of parents who emigrated from Korea and her journey toward belonging in the United States.

In the movie, 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 resonated powerfully.

"Growing up in the US, feeling American but having others view me like a foreigner, trying to figure out my identity as an Korean-American, as a Korean-American, as a woman," she explains.

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

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

"As kids, your surroundings influences your development and it seems I lacked exposure to sufficient individuals that shared my appearance."

When it launched on Netflix in June, the animated feature achieved 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 with a Korean setting, with Asian protagonists, was for Cho "an aspiration realized" – but it has also made her a inspiring figure for Asian-American children, the type that she lacked when she was young.

Cho notes many individuals of Korean descent have told her it's "a breath of fresh air", making them proud for the first instance of their dual heritage and cultural roots.

"I feel like Korean pop music has genuinely broken barriers. K-beauty has had such a big impact on global appreciation for Korea. But I feel like this movie is the one that tipped it over the edge, of, everybody wants to go to Korea, currently," she comments.

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

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

The movie was launched amid heightened enforcement actions in the US as part of extensive removal policies, which sparked protests in many states.

As an person of Asian descent residing in America "it's deeply saddening," she states. "Newcomers have shaped the nation."

Reports have suggested 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 adult, 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 signified to be Korean or Asian.

"However today, in the modern era, when it seems the society and individuals ought to be more informed, it is beyond disappointing and sometimes it appears there's a sense of despair," she says.

Due to this, it's particularly meaningful, she notes, that KPop Demon Hunters could bring "optimism and happiness to all these different communities".

"Perhaps this explains it became the season's hit film, because we just needed some hope and something to unite us 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 movie like KPop Demon Hunters.

The actress says she is aware that technology is already being used to replicate performers' vocals, but aims to "have hope in humanity" that individuals will still pursue human-made creativity.

"Certainly, I'm sure they're going to have digital performers and vocalists. I'm aware they're already here. I understand performers' voices are already being altered, but I hope people have some respect and want and love for authentic creations."

KPop Demon Hunters has also been dominating the international music rankings, with multiple songs from its score appearing in the prestigious charts. It has its own fan art, and viewers globally are demanding a sequel.

Cho reveals she wishes she could answer the inquiry of if a sequel is planned – but both everyone involved will have to wait for the platform or the studio, which produced the movie, to give it the green light.

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

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