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"{I hated that I looked Asian, that I lacked light-colored eyes and fair hair, because that's what was beautiful at the time," says the actress, who portrayed the lead character in the streaming platform's chart-topping animated film, the K-pop themed animation.

Cho, forty, is describing her early years in Texas, as the eldest daughter of Korean immigrant parents and her journey toward belonging in the United States.

In the film, which narrates the tale of a girl group who must save the world from evil forces, the protagonist has to come to terms with her true nature as part human, part demon – and when she first saw the screenplay, this struck a deep chord.

"Being born in America, feeling American but having others view me like I'm not, grappling with my identity as an Korean-American, as a Asian-American, as a woman," she says.

These were all components of her early life that mirrored the character's path.

"Truthfully, at different points in my existence, I despised a lot of myself and I wanted to be someone else.

"During childhood, what you see influences your development and I feel like I lacked exposure to sufficient individuals that look like me."

When it debuted on the platform in the summer, KPop Demon Hunters achieved 33 million views in just two weeks, and reached the top 10 of the streaming rankings in 93 countries. To star in the pioneering animation set in Korea, with Asian protagonists, was for Cho "an aspiration realized" – but it has also made her a inspiring figure for Asian-American children, the type that she lacked when she was young.

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

"In my view K-Pop really, truly, has paved the way. K-beauty has had such a big impact on Korea being loved. But I believe this movie is the one that pushed it further, of, everybody wants to go to Korea, now," Cho says.

But the movie's triumph was not guaranteed and Cho admits she felt the team making it were "sometimes facing an uphill battle".

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

So, when she accepted the part, she took steps to meet the entire cast and crew face-to-face, she adds.

The movie was released amid heightened enforcement actions in the United States as part of mass deportation efforts, which sparked protests in many states.

As an Asian-American residing in America "it's heartbreaking and disappointing," she states. "Newcomers have shaped the nation."

Korean news sources 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 adult, Cho came to realise that the prejudice she had experienced when in her youth was largely due to a knowledge gap, as people didn't know what it meant to be Korean or Asian.

"But now, in the modern era, when it seems the society and individuals should know better, it's deeply disheartening and at times I feel like there's a sense of despair," she expresses.

Due to this, it's particularly meaningful, she notes, that the film could bring "hope and joy and love to all these different communities".

"Maybe that's why it became 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 film industry, creating the potential that in future it could be used to produce a film like the animation.

The actress says she is aware that technology is already being used to replicate performers' vocals, but aims to "maintain faith in people" that audiences will still pursue art created by humans.

"Sure, I believe they're going to have digital performers and singers. I know they already exist. I understand performers' voices are already being manipulated, but I trust people have some respect and desire for authentic creations."

The film has also been leading the international music rankings, with seven tracks from its score featured on the prestigious charts. It has its own fan creations, and viewers globally are demanding a follow-up.

She tells us she would like to confirm the inquiry of if a sequel is planned – but both she and fans will have to wait for the platform or the production company, which produced the movie, to give it the green light.

"I'm aware there's lots of murmurs, the feedback is positive," she shares. "Only time will tell, and I think fans everywhere would protest if it didn't happen."

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