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"{I disliked that I had Asian features, that I didn't have blue eyes and blonde hair, because those were the beauty standards at the time," reveals the actress, who portrayed the lead character in the streaming platform's highly successful animated film, KPop Demon Hunters.

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 movie, 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 identity as part human, part demon – and when she first saw the screenplay, this resonated powerfully.

"Growing up in the US, feeling American but having people treat me like I'm not, grappling with my identity as an Korean-American, as a Korean-American, as a female," she explains.

These were all components of her formative years that mirrored the character's path.

"I can honestly say, at various stages in my existence, I despised many parts of me and I wanted to be a different person.

"During childhood, what you see shapes who you become and I feel like I just didn't see sufficient individuals that shared my appearance."

When it launched on Netflix in the summer, the animated feature achieved 33 million views in just two weeks, and reached the top 10 of the Netflix charts in dozens of nations. To be part of the pioneering animation with a Korean setting, with Asian protagonists, was for Cho "a dream come true" – but it has also made her a inspiring figure for Asian-American children, the type that she lacked when she was young.

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

"In my view Korean pop music really, truly, has paved the way. Korean cosmetics has had a significant influence on global appreciation for Korea. But I feel like this movie is the one that pushed it further, of, inspiring travel to Korea, now," Cho says.

But the film's success was uncertain and the actress says she felt the production crew were "occasionally struggling against odds".

"I feel like it kind of sucks to say this, but any time there's an production with Asian leads, it's perceived like a gamble," she says.

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 increased immigration raids 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," says Cho. "Immigrants have shaped the nation."

Reports have estimated that up to 150,000 Korean immigrants without proper documentation, including adopted children, are among those who could be deported.

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

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

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

"Perhaps this explains it became this movie of the summer, because there was a need for positivity and something to unite us as one."

The advancement of artificial intelligence is a significant worry 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 aware that technology is already being used to copy performers' vocals, but aims to "have hope in humanity" that audiences will still seek out art created by humans.

"Sure, I'm sure there will be AI actors and vocalists. I know they already exist. I know performers' voices are already being altered, but I hope the public have some respect and desire for something real."

The film has also been leading the international music rankings, with multiple songs from its soundtrack featured on the prestigious charts. 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 whether that will happen – but both she and fans will have to wait for the streaming service or the production company, which produced the movie, to approve the project.

"I know rumors are circulating, the feedback is positive," she says. "So we shall see, and I believe everyone in the world would protest if it didn't happen."

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