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"{I disliked that I had Asian features, that I didn't have 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, KPop Demon Hunters.

Cho, 40, is describing her early years in Texas, as the eldest daughter of Korean immigrant parents and her struggle for acceptance in American society.

In the movie, which narrates the tale of a female K-Pop trio who must rescue humanity from evil forces, Rumi has to come to terms with her true nature as part human, part demon – and when she first read the script, this resonated powerfully.

"Being born in America, identifying as American but having people treat me like I'm not, trying to figure out my sense of self as an Korean-American, as a Korean-American, as a woman," she says.

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

"I can honestly say, at various stages in my existence, I despised many parts of me and I longed to become someone else.

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

When it debuted on the platform in June, KPop Demon Hunters registered 33 million views in just two weeks, and reached the top 10 of the streaming rankings in 93 countries. To be part of the first Hollywood animated film set in Korea, with Korean leads, was for her "an aspiration realized" – but it has also established her as a inspiring figure for young Asian-Americans, the kind that was missing when in her youth.

She notes many Korean-Americans have told her it's "such a refreshing moment", making them feel pride for the first time of their dual heritage and culture.

"I feel like 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 the film is the one that tipped it over the edge, of, everybody wants to go to Korea, now," she comments.

But the film's success was uncertain and the actress admits 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, it's perceived like a gamble," she says.

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

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

As an Asian-American living in the US "it's deeply saddening," she states. "Newcomers have shaped the nation."

Reports have suggested that up to 150,000 individuals from Korea lacking legal status, including adopted children, are among those who could be removed.

As an grown-up, Cho came to realise that the prejudice she had encountered when in her youth was largely due to a lack of education, as people didn't know what it meant to be of Asian descent.

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

Due to this, it feels very special, she says, that KPop Demon Hunters could bring "hope and joy and love to all these different communities".

"Perhaps this explains it became the season's hit film, because we just needed positivity and something to unite us as one."

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

Cho says she is conscious that AI is already being used to replicate actors' voices, but aims to "maintain faith in people" that audiences will still pursue art created by humans.

"Certainly, I'm sure there will be digital performers and singers. I know they're already here. I know our voices are already being altered, but I trust the public have some respect and desire for something real."

KPop Demon Hunters has also been leading the international music rankings, with multiple songs from its score featured on the Billboard Hot 100. It has its own fan art, and viewers globally are calling for a follow-up.

She tells us she wishes she could answer the question of whether that will happen – but both she and fans will have to wait for the streaming service or the studio, which made the film, to give it the green light.

"I'm aware there's lots of murmurs, 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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