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"{I hated that I had Asian features, that I lacked blue eyes and fair hair, because that's what was beautiful back then," reveals the actress, who voiced the lead character in the streaming platform's highly successful animated film, the K-pop themed animation.

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

In the film, which narrates the tale of a female K-Pop trio who must rescue humanity from evil forces, the protagonist has to accept her identity 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 Asian-American, as a Korean-American, as a woman," she explains.

These were all components of her formative years that paralleled 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 I feel like I just didn't see enough people that look like me."

When it debuted on the platform in the summer, the animated feature registered 33 million views in just 14 days, and reached the highest positions of the streaming rankings in 93 countries. To be part of the first Hollywood animated film set in Korea, with Korean leads, was for her "a dream come true" – but it has also made her a inspiring figure for young Asian-Americans, the type that she lacked when in her youth.

Cho notes many individuals of Korean descent have expressed it's "a breath of fresh air", making them proud for the first instance of their mixed background and culture.

"I feel like Korean pop music really, truly, has paved the way. Korean cosmetics has had a significant influence on Korea being loved. But I believe the film is the one that pushed it further, of, inspiring travel to Korea, now," she comments.

But the movie's triumph was not guaranteed and the actress says she felt the production crew were "sometimes facing an uphill battle".

"I feel like it's unfortunate to mention this, but any time there's an Asian-led project, people feel like a gamble," she reveals.

So, when she accepted the part, she took steps to connect with everyone working on the film face-to-face, she says.

The movie was launched against the backdrop of heightened enforcement actions in the United States as part of extensive removal policies, which triggered demonstrations in numerous regions.

As an Asian-American residing in America "it's heartbreaking and disappointing," says Cho. "Immigrants have shaped the nation."

Korean news sources have suggested that up to one hundred fifty thousand individuals from Korea lacking legal status, including those who were adopted, are among those who could be deported.

As an adult, she came to realise that the racism she had experienced when in her youth was largely due to a knowledge gap, as people didn't know what it signified to be Korean or Asian.

"However today, in this day and age, when it seems the society and people should know better, it is beyond disappointing and sometimes it appears we feel so hopeless," she expresses.

Due to this, it feels very special, she says, that KPop Demon Hunters could bring "optimism and happiness to various groups".

"Perhaps this explains it's sort of like this movie of the summer, because we just needed some hope and a unifying element all together."

The growth of AI is a significant worry for the entertainment sector, raising the possibility that in coming years it could be used to make a film like KPop Demon Hunters.

Cho says she is aware that technology is already being used to replicate performers' vocals, but aims to "maintain faith in people" that individuals will still seek out human-made creativity.

"Sure, I believe they're going to have AI actors and vocalists. I'm aware they already exist. I understand performers' voices are already being altered, but I hope people have appreciation and desire for something real."

The film has also been dominating the international music rankings, with seven tracks from its score featured on the prestigious charts. It has its own fan art, and audiences globally are calling for a follow-up.

She reveals she wishes she could answer the question of if a sequel is planned – but both everyone involved will have to wait for the platform or the production company, which made the film, to approve the project.

"I know there's lots of murmurs, the feedback is positive," she says. "So we shall see, and I believe fans everywhere would protest if there wasn't."

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