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"{I disliked that I had Asian features, that I didn't have light-colored eyes and blonde hair, because those were the beauty standards back then," says the actress, who portrayed Rumi in the streaming platform's chart-topping animated film, the K-pop themed animation.

Cho, 40, is describing her early years in the southern state, as the eldest daughter of parents who emigrated from Korea and her struggle for acceptance in American society.

In the movie, which tells the story of a girl group 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 read the script, this struck a deep chord.

"Growing up in the US, feeling American but having people treat me like I'm not, trying to figure out my identity as an Korean-American, as a Asian-American, as a woman," she explains.

These elements were aspects of her formative years that mirrored the character's path.

"I can honestly say, at different points in my existence, I despised many parts of me and I wanted to be a different person.

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

When it launched on Netflix in the summer, the animated feature registered 33 million views in just two weeks, and reached the top 10 of the Netflix charts in 93 countries. To be part of the pioneering animation set in Korea, with Korean leads, was for her "an aspiration realized" – but it has also made her a powerful role model for young Asian-Americans, the kind that was missing when in her youth.

Cho says many Korean-Americans have expressed it's "such a refreshing moment", making them proud for the first instance of their mixed background and cultural roots.

"In my view K-Pop has genuinely broken barriers. Korean cosmetics has had such a big impact on Korea being loved. But I feel like 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 Cho says 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 production with Asian leads, it's perceived like it's a risk," she says.

So, when she accepted the part, she made an effort to meet the entire cast and crew face-to-face, she adds.

The movie was launched amid heightened enforcement actions in the US as part of mass deportation efforts, which triggered demonstrations in numerous regions.

As an Asian-American residing in America "it's deeply saddening," she states. "Newcomers have made America what it is."

Reports have suggested that up to 150,000 Korean immigrants lacking legal status, including those who were adopted, are among those who could be removed.

As an grown-up, she understood that the racism she had encountered when she was younger stemmed mainly from a lack of education, as people didn't know what it signified to be of Asian descent.

"However today, in the modern era, when it seems the society and individuals ought to be more informed, it's deeply disheartening and sometimes I feel like there's a sense of despair," she expresses.

Due to this, it's particularly meaningful, she says, that KPop Demon Hunters 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 we just needed positivity and something to unite us as one."

The advancement of artificial intelligence is a significant worry for the entertainment sector, creating the potential that in future it could be used to make a movie like KPop Demon Hunters.

Cho acknowledges she is conscious that technology is already being used to replicate actors' voices, but aims to "have hope in humanity" that individuals will still pursue human-made creativity.

"Certainly, I believe there will be digital performers and vocalists. I'm aware they already exist. I understand our voices are already being manipulated, but I trust people have some respect and desire for something real."

The film has also been dominating the international music rankings, with multiple songs from its soundtrack featured on the prestigious charts. It has its own fan creations, and viewers around the world are calling for a follow-up.

She reveals she would like to confirm the question of whether that will happen – but both everyone involved will have to await the platform or the production company, which made the film, to give it the green light.

"I'm aware there's lots of murmurs, I've heard wonderful things," she shares. "So we shall see, and I believe everyone in the world would protest if it didn't happen."

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