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"{I hated that I looked Asian, that I didn't have blue eyes and fair hair, because that's what was beautiful at the time," says the actress, who voiced Rumi in the streaming platform's chart-topping movie, KPop Demon Hunters.

Cho, 40, is describing her early years in Texas, as the firstborn child of Korean immigrant parents and her journey toward belonging in the United States.

In the movie, which narrates the tale of a female K-Pop trio who must rescue humanity from evil forces, Rumi has to accept her identity as a hybrid being – and when she first read the script, this resonated powerfully.

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

These elements were components of her early life that paralleled the character's path.

"I can honestly say, at various stages in my existence, I hated a lot of myself and I longed to become someone else.

"As kids, what you see influences your development and it seems I just didn't see enough people that look like me."

When it launched on Netflix in June, the animated feature achieved millions of streams in just 14 days, and reached the top 10 of the Netflix charts in dozens of nations. To star in the pioneering animation set in Korea, with Asian protagonists, was for her "an aspiration realized" – but it has also made her a inspiring figure for young Asian-Americans, the type that she lacked when she was young.

Cho says many individuals of Korean descent have told her it's "such a refreshing moment", making them feel pride for the first time of their mixed background and culture.

"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 the film is the one that pushed it further, of, inspiring travel to Korea, now," Cho says.

But the movie's triumph was uncertain and Cho says she felt the team making it were "sometimes facing an uphill battle".

"I feel like it's unfortunate to say this, but any time there's an production with Asian leads, it's perceived like it's a risk," she reveals.

So, when she took on the role, she took steps to connect with everyone working on the film in person, she adds.

The movie was released against the backdrop of heightened enforcement actions in the US as part of mass deportation efforts, which triggered demonstrations in many states.

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

Reports have estimated that up to one hundred fifty thousand Korean immigrants lacking legal status, including adopted children, are among those who could be deported.

As an adult, she came to realise that the prejudice she had experienced when in her youth stemmed mainly from a lack of education, as people didn't know what it meant to be Korean or Asian.

"However today, in this day and age, when it seems the society and individuals should know better, it is beyond disappointing and sometimes I feel like there's a sense of despair," she says.

Because of this, it's particularly meaningful, she notes, that the film could bring "optimism and happiness to various groups".

"Perhaps this explains it's sort of like this movie of the summer, because there was a need for some hope and something to unite us all together."

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

The actress says she is conscious that technology is already being used to replicate performers' vocals, but aims to "maintain faith in people" that individuals will still pursue human-made creativity.

"Certainly, I believe they're going to have AI actors and vocalists. I know they're already here. I understand performers' voices are already being altered, but I trust the public have appreciation and want and love for authentic creations."

KPop Demon Hunters has also been leading the global music charts, with multiple songs from its score appearing in the prestigious charts. It has its own fan art, and audiences globally are demanding a follow-up.

She reveals she wishes she could answer the question of if a sequel is planned – but both she and fans will have to await the streaming service or the production company, which made the film, to approve the project.

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

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