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"{I hated that I had Asian features, that I lacked blue eyes and fair hair, because those were the beauty standards back then," reveals the actress, who portrayed the lead character in the streaming platform's highly successful animated film, KPop Demon Hunters.

Cho, 40, recalls her early years in the southern state, as the firstborn child of Korean immigrant parents and her struggle for acceptance in the United States.

In the film, which narrates the tale of a female K-Pop trio who must rescue humanity from evil forces, Rumi has to come to terms with her identity as part human, part demon – and when she first saw the screenplay, this struck a deep chord.

"Being born in America, feeling American but having others view me like a foreigner, trying to figure out my identity as an Korean-American, as a Korean-American, as a female," she says.

These elements were aspects of her early life that mirrored Rumi's journey.

"Truthfully, at different points in my existence, I hated a lot of myself and I wanted to be someone else.

"During childhood, what you see shapes who you become and it seems I just didn't see enough people that look like me."

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 set in Korea, with Asian protagonists, was for her "an aspiration realized" – but it has also made her a powerful role model 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 proud for the first time of their dual heritage and culture.

"I feel like Korean pop music has genuinely broken barriers. Korean cosmetics has had such a big impact on global appreciation for Korea. But I believe the film is the one that tipped it over the edge, of, inspiring travel to Korea, now," Cho says.

But the movie's triumph was not guaranteed and Cho admits she felt the team making it were "sometimes facing an uphill battle".

"I feel like it's unfortunate to mention this, but whenever there's an production with Asian leads, it's perceived like a gamble," she reveals.

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

The movie was launched against the backdrop of heightened enforcement actions 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 150,000 Korean immigrants lacking legal status, including those who were adopted, are among those who could be removed.

As an grown-up, Cho came to realise that the racism she had encountered when she was younger stemmed mainly from a lack of education, as many were unaware what it meant to be Korean or Asian.

"But now, in this day and age, when I feel like the society and individuals ought to be more informed, it's deeply disheartening and at times it appears we feel so hopeless," she expresses.

Because of this, it feels very special, she says, that KPop Demon Hunters could bring "optimism and happiness to all these different communities".

"Maybe that's why it's sort of like the season's hit film, because there was a need for positivity and something to unite us all together."

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

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

"Certainly, I'm sure they're going to have digital performers and vocalists. I'm aware they already exist. I understand performers' voices are already being altered, but I hope the public have appreciation and desire for something real."

KPop Demon Hunters has also been dominating the international music rankings, with seven tracks from its score appearing in the prestigious charts. It has its own fan art, and viewers globally are demanding a sequel.

She reveals she would like to confirm the inquiry of if a sequel is planned – but both she and fans will have to wait for the streaming service or the production company, which made the film, to approve the project.

"I'm aware rumors are circulating, I've heard wonderful things," she shares. "So we shall see, and I think fans everywhere would protest if it didn't happen."

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