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"{I disliked that I looked Asian, that I didn't have light-colored eyes and fair hair, because those were the beauty standards at the time," says the actress, who voiced the lead character in Netflix's highly successful movie, the K-pop themed animation.

Cho, forty, recalls her early years in the southern state, as the firstborn child of Korean immigrant parents and her struggle for acceptance in American society.

In the film, which tells the story of a female K-Pop trio who must save the world from dark powers, the protagonist has to come to terms with her identity as a hybrid being – and when she first saw the screenplay, this struck a deep chord.

"Being born in America, feeling American but having people treat me like a foreigner, trying to figure out my sense of self as an Korean-American, as a Asian-American, as a female," she says.

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

"Truthfully, at different points in my existence, I hated a lot of myself and I longed to become someone else.

"During childhood, your surroundings shapes your development and I feel like I lacked exposure to sufficient individuals that look like me."

When it launched on Netflix in June, the animated feature registered 33 million views in just two weeks, and reached the top 10 of the Netflix charts in dozens of nations. To be part of the first Hollywood animated film set in Korea, with Korean leads, was for her "a dream come true" – but it has also made her a powerful role model for young Asian-Americans, the type that was missing when in her youth.

Cho notes 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 the film is the one that pushed it further, of, inspiring travel to Korea, now," she comments.

But the film's success was not guaranteed and the actress says she felt the team making it were "occasionally struggling against odds".

"I feel like it's unfortunate to mention this, but whenever there's an Asian-led project, it's perceived like a gamble," she says.

So, when she took on the role, she took steps to meet the entire cast and crew face-to-face, she says.

The movie was released amid increased immigration raids in the US as part of extensive removal policies, which sparked protests in numerous regions.

As an Asian-American residing in America "it's deeply saddening," says Cho. "Newcomers 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 removed.

As an grown-up, she came to realise that the prejudice she had experienced when she was younger was largely due to a lack of education, as many were unaware what it meant to be of Asian descent.

"However today, in this day and age, when I feel like the society and people should know better, it's deeply disheartening and at times 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 various groups".

"Perhaps this explains it's sort of like this movie of the summer, because there was a need for positivity 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 movie like KPop Demon Hunters.

The actress acknowledges she is aware that technology is already being used to replicate performers' vocals, but wants to "maintain faith in people" that individuals will still pursue human-made creativity.

"Certainly, I believe there will be AI actors and singers. I know they already exist. I know our voices are already being manipulated, but I hope people have some respect and want and love for authentic creations."

The film has also been dominating the international music rankings, with multiple songs from its score appearing in the Billboard Hot 100. It has its own fan art, and audiences around the world are calling for a sequel.

Cho tells us she wishes she could answer the question of whether that will happen – but both everyone involved will have to await the platform or the studio, which produced the movie, to approve the project.

"I'm aware rumors are circulating, the feedback is positive," she shares. "So we shall see, and I think everyone in the world would protest if there wasn't."

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