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"{I disliked that I had Asian features, that I lacked light-colored eyes and blonde hair, because those were the beauty standards back then," reveals the actress, who portrayed the lead character in Netflix's chart-topping animated film, the K-pop themed animation.

The performer, forty, is describing her early years in Texas, as the eldest daughter of Korean immigrant parents and her struggle for acceptance in the United States.

In the film, which narrates the tale of a girl group who must rescue humanity from dark powers, the protagonist has to come to terms with her identity as part human, part demon – and when she first saw the screenplay, 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 Asian-American, as a woman," 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 I feel like I just didn't see enough people that look like me."

When it launched on Netflix in June, the animated feature achieved 33 million views in just two weeks, and reached the top 10 of the streaming rankings in dozens of nations. To star in the first Hollywood animated film set in Korea, with Asian protagonists, was for Cho "an aspiration realized" – but it has also established her as a inspiring figure for Asian-American children, the type that was missing when in her youth.

She notes many individuals of Korean descent have expressed it's "a breath of fresh air", making them feel pride for the first time of their dual heritage and culture.

"I feel like Korean pop music has genuinely broken barriers. Korean cosmetics has had such a big impact on global appreciation for Korea. But I believe this movie is the one that tipped it over the edge, of, inspiring travel to Korea, currently," Cho says.

But the movie's triumph 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 say this, but whenever there's an production with Asian leads, it's perceived like it's a risk," she reveals.

So, when she took on the role, she took steps to meet everyone working on the film face-to-face, she adds.

The movie was launched against the backdrop of increased immigration raids in the US as part of extensive removal policies, which triggered demonstrations in numerous regions.

As an Asian-American living in the US "it's heartbreaking and disappointing," says Cho. "Newcomers have shaped the nation."

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

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 signified to be of Asian descent.

"But now, in this day and age, when it seems the world and people should know better, it's deeply disheartening and at times I feel like there's a sense of despair," she expresses.

Because of this, it feels very special, she notes, that the film could bring "hope and joy and love to various groups".

"Maybe that's why it became this movie of the summer, because there was a need for some hope and something to unite us as one."

The growth of AI is a significant worry for the film industry, raising the possibility that in future it could be used to produce a film like KPop Demon Hunters.

Cho acknowledges she is conscious that AI is already being used to copy actors' voices, but wants to "maintain faith in people" that individuals will still pursue human-made creativity.

"Sure, I'm sure they're going to have digital performers and vocalists. I'm aware they already exist. I know our voices are already being altered, but I trust people have some respect and want and love for something real."

KPop Demon Hunters has also been dominating the global music charts, with multiple songs from its soundtrack appearing in the prestigious charts. It has its own fan art, and viewers globally are demanding a sequel.

Cho reveals she wishes she could answer the question of whether that will happen – but both she and fans will have to wait for the platform or the production company, which made the film, to give it the green light.

"I know there's lots of murmurs, I've heard wonderful things," she says. "Only time will tell, and I believe fans everywhere would protest if there wasn't."

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