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"{I disliked that I had Asian features, that I didn't have blue eyes and fair hair, because those were the beauty standards at the time," says the actress, who voiced the lead character in Netflix's chart-topping movie, KPop Demon Hunters.

Cho, forty, is describing her early years in the southern state, 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 identity 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 others view me like I'm not, trying to figure out my sense of self as an Korean-American, as a Korean-American, as a female," she explains.

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 longed to become someone else.

"As kids, your surroundings shapes who you become and it seems I lacked exposure to sufficient individuals that shared my appearance."

When it debuted on the platform in the summer, the animated feature achieved 33 million views in just 14 days, and secured the top 10 of the Netflix charts in 93 countries. To star in the pioneering animation set in Korea, with Asian protagonists, was for Cho "a dream come true" – but it has also established her as a inspiring figure for young Asian-Americans, the type that she lacked when she was young.

She says many Korean-Americans have told her it's "such a refreshing moment", making them proud for the first instance of their dual heritage and cultural roots.

"In my view Korean pop music has genuinely broken barriers. K-beauty has had a significant influence on global appreciation for Korea. But I feel like the film is the one that tipped it over the edge, of, inspiring travel to Korea, now," Cho says.

But the movie's triumph was uncertain and the actress admits she felt the team making it were "sometimes facing an uphill battle".

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

So, when she accepted the part, she made an effort to meet everyone working on the film in person, she adds.

The movie was released amid increased immigration raids in the United States as part of extensive removal policies, which sparked protests in many states.

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

Korean news sources have suggested that up to 150,000 individuals from Korea without proper documentation, including those who were adopted, are among those who could be deported.

As an grown-up, she came to realise that the prejudice she had encountered when in her youth was largely due to a knowledge gap, as people didn't know what it signified to be Korean or Asian.

"But now, in this day and age, when it seems the world and individuals should know better, it's deeply disheartening and sometimes it appears there's a sense of despair," she says.

Because of this, it's particularly meaningful, she says, that KPop Demon Hunters could bring "hope and joy and love to all these different communities".

"Perhaps this explains it became this movie of the summer, because we just needed some hope and a unifying element as one."

The growth of AI is a major concern for the entertainment sector, raising the possibility that in coming years it could be used to make a movie like the animation.

Cho says she is aware that AI is already being used to replicate actors' voices, but wants to "maintain faith in people" that individuals will still seek out art created by humans.

"Sure, I'm sure there will be digital performers and singers. I'm aware they're already here. I know performers' voices are already being manipulated, but I hope the public have some respect and desire for authentic creations."

The film has also been dominating the global music charts, with seven tracks from its score featured on the prestigious charts. It has its own fan art, and audiences globally are calling for a sequel.

She reveals she would like to confirm the question of whether that will happen – but both she and fans will have to await the platform or the production company, which produced the movie, to give it the green light.

"I know rumors are circulating, I've heard wonderful things," she says. "Only time will tell, and I believe fans everywhere would protest if it didn't happen."

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