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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 at the time," says the actress, who portrayed the lead character in the streaming platform's chart-topping animated film, the K-pop themed animation.

The performer, 40, recalls her childhood 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 save the world from evil forces, the protagonist has to accept her true nature as part human, part demon – and when she first read the script, this resonated powerfully.

"Being born in America, feeling American but having people treat me like I'm not, trying to figure out my sense of self as an Korean-American, as a Korean-American, as a female," she says.

These were all components of her formative years that mirrored Rumi's journey.

"Truthfully, at various stages in my life, I hated many parts of me and I longed to become someone else.

"During childhood, your surroundings influences who you become and I feel like I lacked exposure to enough people that shared my appearance."

When it debuted on the platform in the summer, the animated feature achieved millions of streams in just 14 days, 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 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 "such a refreshing moment", making them feel pride for the first instance of their dual heritage and culture.

"I feel like Korean pop music really, truly, has paved the way. K-beauty has had such a big impact on Korea being loved. But I believe the film is the one that pushed it further, of, everybody wants to go to Korea, now," she comments.

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

"It seems it's unfortunate to say this, but whenever there's an Asian-led project, people feel like it's a risk," she says.

So, when she accepted the part, she took steps to connect with the entire cast and crew in person, she says.

The movie was launched amid increased immigration raids in the US as part of mass deportation efforts, which sparked protests in numerous regions.

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

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

As an grown-up, she understood that the racism she had encountered when in her youth was largely due to a lack of education, as many were unaware what it signified to be Korean or Asian.

"However today, in the modern era, when it seems the world and individuals should know better, it's deeply disheartening and at times it appears we feel so hopeless," she says.

Due to this, it's particularly meaningful, she notes, that the film could bring "optimism and happiness to all these different communities".

"Perhaps this explains it's sort of like the season's hit film, because there was a need for positivity and a unifying element all together."

The growth of AI is a significant worry for the film industry, creating the potential that in coming years it could be used to produce a movie like the animation.

The actress says she is conscious that technology is already being used to copy performers' vocals, but wants to "have hope in humanity" that audiences will still seek out human-made creativity.

"Sure, I believe they're going to have digital performers and vocalists. I know they're already here. I know our voices are already being manipulated, but I trust the public have appreciation and want and love for authentic creations."

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 art, and audiences globally are calling for a sequel.

She tells us she wishes she could answer the question of if a sequel is planned – but both everyone involved will have to await the streaming service or the studio, which made the film, to give it the green light.

"I'm aware rumors are circulating, the feedback is positive," she says. "So we shall see, and I think everyone in the world would riot if there wasn't."

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