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

The performer, forty, is describing her early years in the southern state, as the eldest daughter of parents who emigrated from Korea and her struggle for acceptance in the United States.

In the film, which tells the story of a female K-Pop trio who must rescue humanity from dark powers, the protagonist has to accept her true nature as a hybrid being – and when Cho first read the script, this struck a deep chord.

"Growing up in the US, 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 female," she says.

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

"I can honestly say, at various stages in my existence, I despised a lot of myself and I longed to become a different person.

"During childhood, what you see influences your development and I feel like I lacked exposure to sufficient individuals that shared my appearance."

When it debuted on the platform in the summer, the animated feature achieved millions of streams in just two weeks, and reached the highest positions of the streaming rankings in 93 countries. To star in the pioneering animation with a Korean setting, 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 was missing when she was young.

Cho notes many Korean-Americans have told her it's "such a refreshing moment", making them proud for the first time of their mixed background and culture.

"I feel like Korean pop music really, truly, has paved the way. K-beauty has had a significant influence on Korea being loved. But I feel like the film is the one that tipped it over the edge, of, everybody wants to go to Korea, now," she comments.

But the movie's triumph was uncertain 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 production with Asian leads, it's perceived 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 released amid increased immigration raids in the US as part of extensive removal policies, which sparked protests in many states.

As an person of Asian descent living in the US "it's deeply saddening," she states. "Immigrants have made America what it is."

Korean news sources have suggested that up to one hundred fifty thousand Korean immigrants lacking legal status, including adopted children, are among those who could be deported.

As an adult, Cho understood that the racism she had encountered when in her youth stemmed mainly from a knowledge gap, as many were unaware what it meant to be Korean or Asian.

"However today, in the modern era, when it seems the society and individuals ought to be more informed, it's deeply disheartening and sometimes I feel like we feel so hopeless," she says.

Due to this, it feels very special, she says, that KPop Demon Hunters 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 something to unite us as one."

The advancement of artificial intelligence is a major concern for the film industry, creating the potential that in coming years it could be used to produce a movie like KPop Demon Hunters.

The actress says she is conscious that AI is already being used to copy actors' voices, but wants to "maintain faith in people" that individuals will still pursue art created by humans.

"Sure, I believe 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 desire for authentic creations."

The film has also been leading the international music rankings, with seven tracks from its score appearing in the Billboard Hot 100. It has its own fan art, and audiences around the world are demanding a follow-up.

She reveals she would like to confirm the question of if a sequel is planned – but both everyone involved will have to wait for the platform or the studio, which made the film, to approve the project.

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

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