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"{I hated that I had Asian features, that I didn't have light-colored eyes and blonde hair, because that's what was beautiful at the time," reveals the actress, who portrayed Rumi in the streaming platform's highly successful animated film, KPop Demon Hunters.

Cho, 40, recalls her childhood in the southern state, as the eldest daughter of parents who emigrated from Korea and her journey toward belonging in the United States.

In the film, which tells the story of a female K-Pop trio who must rescue humanity from evil forces, Rumi has to come to terms with her true nature as a hybrid being – and when she first read the script, this struck a deep chord.

"Being born in America, feeling American but having people treat me like a foreigner, trying to figure out my identity as an Korean-American, as a Asian-American, as a woman," she explains.

These elements were aspects of her formative years that mirrored Rumi's journey.

"Truthfully, at different points in my existence, I despised a lot of myself and I longed to become a different person.

"As kids, what you see shapes your development and I feel like I just didn't see enough people that look like me."

When it debuted on the platform in the summer, the animated feature achieved millions of streams in just two weeks, and reached the top 10 of the Netflix charts in dozens of nations. To be part of the pioneering animation with a Korean setting, with Asian protagonists, was for Cho "an aspiration realized" – but it has also established her as a powerful role model for Asian-American children, the kind that was missing when in her youth.

Cho notes many Korean-Americans have expressed it's "a breath of fresh air", making them feel pride for the first time of their dual heritage and culture.

"I feel like K-Pop really, truly, has paved the way. Korean cosmetics has had a significant influence on global appreciation for Korea. But I believe this movie is the one that pushed it further, of, everybody wants to go to Korea, now," she comments.

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

"It seems it kind of sucks to say this, but whenever there's an Asian-led project, people feel like it's a risk," she reveals.

So, when she took on the role, she made an effort to connect with the entire cast and crew face-to-face, she says.

The film was launched amid increased immigration raids in the US as part of mass deportation efforts, which triggered demonstrations in numerous regions.

As an person of Asian descent living in the US "it's heartbreaking and disappointing," says Cho. "Immigrants have made America what it is."

Reports have estimated that up to one hundred fifty thousand individuals from Korea lacking legal status, including adopted children, are among those who could be deported.

As an adult, Cho came to realise that the racism she had encountered when she was younger was largely due to a lack of education, as people didn't know what it signified to be of Asian descent.

"But now, in the modern era, when it seems the society and people ought to be more informed, it's deeply disheartening and at times I feel like 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 various groups".

"Maybe that's why it became this movie of the summer, because there was a need for some hope and a unifying element all together."

The advancement of artificial intelligence is a major concern for the entertainment sector, raising the possibility that in coming years it could be used to make a film like the animation.

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'm sure they're going to have AI actors and vocalists. I know they're already here. I know performers' voices are already being altered, but I hope people have appreciation and want and love for something real."

The film has also been dominating the global music charts, with multiple songs from its soundtrack featured on the Billboard Hot 100. It has its own fan creations, and audiences around the world are demanding a follow-up.

She tells us she would like to confirm the inquiry of if a sequel is planned – but both she and fans will have to await the streaming service or the studio, which made the film, to approve the project.

"I know there's lots of murmurs, I've heard wonderful things," she shares. "Only time will tell, and I think fans everywhere would protest if it didn't happen."

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