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"{I hated that I had Asian features, that I lacked light-colored eyes and fair hair, because those were the beauty standards at the time," reveals the actress, who voiced Rumi in the streaming platform's highly successful animated film, the K-pop themed animation.

Cho, forty, is describing her childhood in the southern state, as the firstborn child of Korean immigrant parents and her struggle for acceptance in the United States.

In the movie, which narrates the tale of a female K-Pop trio who must save the world from evil forces, Rumi has to come to terms with her true nature as a hybrid being – and when she first saw the screenplay, this struck a deep chord.

"Growing up in the US, identifying as American but having others view 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 elements were components of her early life that mirrored the character's path.

"Truthfully, at different points in my life, I despised many parts of me and I longed to become a different person.

"During childhood, your surroundings influences who you become and it seems I lacked exposure to enough people that look like me."

When it launched on Netflix in the summer, KPop Demon Hunters registered 33 million views in just two weeks, and reached the top 10 of the streaming rankings in dozens of nations. To be part of the pioneering animation with a Korean setting, with Korean leads, was for Cho "an aspiration realized" – but it has also made her a powerful role model for Asian-American children, the type that she lacked when she was young.

She says many Korean-Americans have told her it's "a breath of fresh air", making them feel pride for the first instance of their dual heritage and cultural roots.

"In my view K-Pop has genuinely broken barriers. K-beauty has had a significant influence on global appreciation for Korea. But I believe the film is the one that tipped it over the edge, of, everybody wants to go to Korea, now," she comments.

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

"It seems it's unfortunate to mention this, but any time there's an production with Asian leads, people feel like a gamble," she reveals.

So, when she took on the role, she made an effort to meet the entire cast and crew face-to-face, she adds.

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

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

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

As an adult, she understood that the racism she had encountered when she was younger was largely due to a knowledge gap, as many were unaware what it meant to be of Asian descent.

"However today, in this day and age, when I feel like the world 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 feels very special, she says, that the film could bring "optimism and happiness to all these different communities".

"Maybe that's why it's sort of like the season's hit film, because there was a need for some hope 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 aware that AI is already being used to copy actors' voices, but aims to "maintain faith in people" that individuals will still seek out art created by humans.

"Sure, I believe there will be digital performers and vocalists. I'm aware they're already here. I understand our voices are already being manipulated, but I trust 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 soundtrack appearing in the prestigious charts. It has its own fan creations, and audiences globally are demanding a sequel.

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

"I know rumors are circulating, 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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