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"{I hated that I had Asian features, that I didn't have blue eyes and fair hair, because those were the beauty standards back then," says the actress, who portrayed the lead character in Netflix's highly successful movie, KPop Demon Hunters.

Cho, 40, is describing her early years in Texas, as the eldest daughter of Korean immigrant parents and her struggle for acceptance in American society.

In the movie, which tells the story of a girl group who must rescue humanity from dark powers, 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.

"Growing up in the US, identifying as American but having others view me like a foreigner, grappling with my identity as an Korean-American, as a Asian-American, as a female," she says.

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

"I can honestly say, at different points in my existence, I hated many parts of me and I wanted to be someone else.

"As kids, your surroundings shapes your development and it seems I lacked exposure to enough people that shared my appearance."

When it debuted on the platform in the summer, the animated feature registered millions of streams in just two weeks, and reached the top 10 of the Netflix charts in 93 countries. To star in the first Hollywood animated film with a Korean setting, with Korean leads, was for Cho "an aspiration realized" – but it has also established her as a inspiring figure for Asian-American children, the type that she lacked when she was young.

Cho notes many Korean-Americans have told her it's "such a refreshing moment", making them feel pride for the first instance of their dual heritage and cultural roots.

"I feel like K-Pop really, truly, has paved the way. K-beauty has had a significant influence on global appreciation for Korea. 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 film's success 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 any time there's an Asian-led project, people feel like it's a risk," she says.

So, when she took on the role, she made an effort to meet everyone working on the film in person, she says.

The film was released against the backdrop of heightened enforcement actions in the United States as part of extensive removal policies, which sparked protests 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 one hundred fifty thousand Korean immigrants lacking legal status, including adopted children, are among those who could be removed.

As an adult, she understood that the racism she had encountered when in her youth was largely due to a knowledge gap, as many were unaware what it signified to be Korean or Asian.

"But now, in the modern era, when I feel like the society and people should know better, it is beyond disappointing and at times it appears we feel so hopeless," she says.

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

"Perhaps this explains it's sort of like the season's hit film, because there was a need for positivity and a unifying element as one."

The growth of AI is a major concern for the entertainment sector, raising the possibility that in coming years it could be used to produce a movie like KPop Demon Hunters.

The actress says she is conscious that technology is already being used to copy actors' voices, but wants to "have hope in humanity" that individuals will still seek out human-made creativity.

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

The film has also been leading the international music rankings, with multiple songs from its soundtrack appearing in the Billboard Hot 100. It has its own fan art, and audiences globally are calling for a sequel.

Cho tells us she wishes she could answer the inquiry of whether that will happen – but both everyone involved will have to wait for the platform or the production company, which produced the movie, to give it the green light.

"I know there's lots of murmurs, the feedback is positive," she says. "Only time will tell, and I think everyone in the world would riot if there wasn't."

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