Biography
Who is Koo Hye-sun?
Early career and entertainment beginnings
Koo Hye-sun entered the entertainment industry after gaining attention online as an ulzzang. She was initially a trainee under SM Entertainment before moving to DSP Media. She was prepared to debut in a girl group called Ria, but the project did not proceed. Eventually, she signed with YG Entertainment.
Although the agency head Yang Hyun-suk suggested she focus on acting, she made her initial appearances in commercials for Sambo computers. Her first television role was in the KBS horror series Anagram, followed by parts in one-act dramas. Her performance as Hye-jin in the 2004 sitcom Nonstop 5 helped establish her presence with audiences.
Rise to television stardom
Koo Hye-sun achieved wider recognition after starring in the 2006 drama Hearts of Nineteen. She followed this with a role in the historical series The King and I. Her popularity increased significantly after playing the lead character Geum Jan-di in the 2009 KBS2 series Boys Over Flowers. This show gained substantial viewership across Asia.
Later, she appeared in projects such as The Musical, Take Care of Us, Captain, and the Taiwanese adaptation Absolute Darling. In 2014, she starred in the SBS weekend drama Angel Eyes as a character who regains her sight. She also played a physician in the 2015 vampire series Blood. While she was cast in the show You're Too Much, she withdrew after two weeks due to health concerns. She has worked with agencies including HB Entertainment, Mimi Entertainment, and IOK Company throughout her career.
Directorial work and creative projects
Koo began directing with the short film The Madonna, which focused on the topic of assisted suicide. The film premiered at the 2009 Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival and received the Audience Award at the Pusan Asian Short Film Festival. Her first feature-length film, Magic, screened at the 2010 Jecheon International Music and Film Festival.
In 2011, she founded her own production company, Koo Hye-sun Film. This entity produced her second feature, The Peach Tree. She also wrote the novel version of this project. In 2014, she directed and produced the film Daughter, where she also played the lead role. This project addressed societal issues surrounding child abuse. Later, in 2021, her short film Dark Yellow screened at the Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival.
Music releases and artistic endeavors
Aside from acting, Koo is a singer and songwriter. She released her first single, Happy Birthday to You, in 2005. In 2006, she sang Sarang Ga for the soundtrack of Hearts of Nineteen. She has released several albums, including Breath in 2009 and And Spring in 2016. Her musical output includes self-composed tracks and soundtracks for her own films, such as Must for the movie Daughter.
Beyond film and music, she is an artist and writer. In 2009, she published the illustrated novel Tango, which became a bestseller within a week. She has held multiple art exhibitions, including Tango at La Mer Gallery and Afterimage at the Seoul Arts Center. Proceeds from her art sales have supported the Korea Leukemia Patient Group.
Birthday and age
Koo Hye-sun was born on November 9, 1984, which makes Koo 41 years old today. That birthday falls under the Scorpio sign. Koo shares the date with 17 other famous people.
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