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"{I hated that I had Asian features, that I lacked blue eyes and blonde hair, because that's what was beautiful at the time," reveals the actress, who voiced the lead character in Netflix's chart-topping movie, the K-pop themed animation.

The performer, 40, is describing her early years in Texas, as the firstborn child of Korean immigrant parents and her journey toward belonging in American society.

In the movie, which tells the story of a female K-Pop trio who must save the world from dark powers, Rumi 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, feeling American but having people treat me like a foreigner, grappling with my identity as an Korean-American, as a Korean-American, as a female," she says.

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

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

"As kids, your surroundings shapes who you become and it seems I just didn't see enough people that shared my appearance."

When it debuted on the platform 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 be part of the first Hollywood animated film set in Korea, with Asian protagonists, was for Cho "a dream come true" – but it has also made her a inspiring figure for young Asian-Americans, the type that was missing when in her youth.

Cho says many individuals of Korean descent have expressed it's "such a refreshing moment", making them proud for the first instance of their dual heritage and cultural roots.

"In my view K-Pop has genuinely broken barriers. Korean cosmetics has had a significant influence on Korea being loved. But I believe this movie is the one that pushed it further, of, inspiring travel to Korea, currently," 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 mention this, but any time there's an production with Asian leads, it's perceived like a gamble," she reveals.

So, when she accepted the part, she took steps to meet the entire cast and crew in person, she says.

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

As an person of Asian descent living in the US "it's deeply saddening," says Cho. "Newcomers have shaped the nation."

Reports have estimated that up to one hundred fifty thousand individuals from Korea without proper documentation, including those who were adopted, are among those who could be deported.

As an adult, Cho came to realise that the prejudice she had experienced when she was younger stemmed mainly from a knowledge gap, as many were unaware what it meant to be of Asian descent.

"However today, in the modern era, when it seems the world and individuals ought to be more informed, it is beyond disappointing and sometimes it appears we feel so hopeless," she expresses.

Due to this, it's particularly meaningful, 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 significant worry for the entertainment sector, raising the possibility that in coming years it could be used to produce a film like the animation.

The actress says she is aware that technology is already being used to copy performers' vocals, but aims to "maintain faith in people" that audiences will still seek out art created by humans.

"Certainly, I'm sure they're going to have AI actors and vocalists. I'm aware they're already here. I understand our voices are already being altered, but I trust people have some respect and desire for something real."

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

Cho reveals she wishes she could answer the inquiry of whether that will happen – but both everyone involved will have to wait for the platform or the studio, which made the film, to give it the green light.

"I know there's lots of murmurs, I've heard wonderful things," she says. "So we shall see, and I believe everyone in the world would riot if it didn't happen."

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