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"{I disliked that I had Asian features, that I lacked 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 movie, KPop Demon Hunters.

The performer, forty, is describing her early years in the southern state, as the eldest daughter of Korean immigrant parents and her struggle for acceptance in the United States.

In the movie, which tells the story of a girl group who must rescue humanity from dark powers, Rumi has to come to terms with her true nature as a hybrid being – and when she first saw the screenplay, this struck a deep chord.

"Being born in America, identifying as American but having others view me like I'm not, trying to figure out my sense of self as an Asian-American, as a Asian-American, as a female," she explains.

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

"Truthfully, at different points in my existence, I despised many parts of me and I longed to become someone else.

"As kids, your surroundings influences who you become and it seems I just didn't see sufficient individuals that look like me."

When it debuted on the platform in the summer, KPop Demon Hunters registered 33 million views in just two weeks, and secured the highest positions of the Netflix charts in dozens of nations. To be part of the pioneering animation with a Korean setting, with Korean leads, was for her "a dream come true" – but it has also established her as a powerful role model for young Asian-Americans, the kind that was missing when she was young.

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

"In my view K-Pop really, truly, has paved the way. Korean cosmetics has had such a big impact on global appreciation for Korea. But I feel like this movie is the one that pushed it further, of, inspiring travel to Korea, currently," she comments.

But the movie's triumph was uncertain and the actress admits she felt the production crew were "occasionally struggling against odds".

"I feel like it kind of sucks to say this, but whenever there's an Asian-led project, people feel like a gamble," she says.

So, when she accepted the part, she made an effort to connect with everyone working on the film face-to-face, she adds.

The film was launched against the backdrop of increased immigration raids in the United States as part of mass deportation efforts, which triggered demonstrations in many states.

As an person of Asian descent living in the US "it's heartbreaking and disappointing," she states. "Immigrants have shaped the nation."

Korean news sources have suggested that up to one hundred fifty thousand Korean immigrants without proper documentation, including those who were adopted, are among those who could be removed.

As an grown-up, Cho understood that the racism she had encountered when she was younger was largely due to a knowledge gap, as many were unaware what it signified to be Korean or Asian.

"However today, in this day and age, when I feel like the world and individuals should know better, it's deeply disheartening and sometimes it appears there's a sense of despair," she says.

Because of this, it feels very special, she notes, that KPop Demon Hunters could bring "hope and joy and love to various groups".

"Maybe that's why it's sort of like the season's hit film, because there was a need for some hope and a unifying element as one."

The growth of AI 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.

Cho says she is conscious that AI is already being used to copy actors' voices, but aims to "maintain faith in people" that individuals will still seek out art created by humans.

"Certainly, I'm sure there will be AI actors and singers. I'm aware they already exist. I know our voices are already being altered, but I trust people have some respect and desire for authentic creations."

KPop Demon Hunters has also been leading the international music rankings, with seven tracks from its score featured on the prestigious charts. It has its own fan art, and viewers globally are calling for a follow-up.

She tells us she would like to confirm the question of if a sequel is planned – but both she and fans will have to await the streaming service or the studio, which produced the movie, to approve the project.

"I'm aware there's lots of murmurs, the feedback is positive," she says. "So we shall see, and I think fans everywhere would riot if there wasn't."

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