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"{I hated that I looked Asian, that I lacked light-colored eyes and blonde hair, because those were the beauty standards back then," says the actress, who portrayed the lead character in the streaming platform's highly successful animated film, KPop Demon Hunters.

The performer, forty, recalls her childhood 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 film, which tells the story of a girl group who must save the world from dark powers, Rumi has to come to terms with her true nature as a hybrid being – and when she first read the script, this resonated powerfully.

"Being born in America, identifying as American but having others view me like I'm not, trying to figure out my identity as an Asian-American, as a Asian-American, as a woman," she explains.

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

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

"As kids, your surroundings shapes who you become and it seems I just didn't see sufficient individuals that look like me."

When it debuted on the platform in June, KPop Demon Hunters registered millions of streams in just two weeks, and secured the highest positions of the Netflix charts in 93 countries. To star in the pioneering animation with a Korean setting, 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.

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

"In my view Korean pop music has genuinely broken barriers. K-beauty has had a significant influence on Korea being loved. 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 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 Asian-led project, it's perceived like it's a risk," she reveals.

So, when she took on the role, she made an effort to connect with the entire cast and crew in person, she adds.

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

As an person of Asian descent residing in America "it's heartbreaking and disappointing," she states. "Newcomers have made America what it is."

Korean news sources have suggested that up to one hundred fifty thousand Korean immigrants lacking legal status, including adopted children, are among those who could be removed.

As an grown-up, Cho understood that the racism she had experienced when in her youth stemmed mainly from a knowledge gap, as many were unaware what it meant to be Korean or Asian.

"However today, in the modern era, when I feel like the society and individuals should know better, it is beyond disappointing and sometimes I feel like there's a sense of despair," she expresses.

Because of this, it's particularly meaningful, she notes, that KPop Demon Hunters could bring "hope and joy and love 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 positivity and something to unite us as one."

The growth of AI is a significant worry for the entertainment sector, raising the possibility that in future it could be used to produce a film like the animation.

The actress acknowledges she is conscious that AI is already being used to copy actors' voices, but wants to "maintain faith in people" that audiences will still pursue art created by humans.

"Certainly, I believe they're going to have AI actors and singers. I know they're already here. I know our voices are already being altered, but I hope the public have some respect and want and love for something real."

The film has also been dominating the international music rankings, with seven tracks from its score featured on the Billboard Hot 100. It has its own fan creations, and audiences around the world are demanding a sequel.

She tells us she wishes she could answer the inquiry of if a sequel is planned – but both everyone involved will have to await the streaming service 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 think everyone in the world would riot if there wasn't."

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