Ku Hye-sun

Ku Hye-sun
Born	(1984-11-09) November 9, 1984 Seoul, South Korea
Nationality	South Korea
Alma mater	Seoul Institute of the Arts
Occupation	Actor, Singer, Model
Years active	2002-present
Agent	YG Entertainment
Notable work(s)	Boys Over Flowers (2009)
Height	1.63 m (5 ft 4 in)
Weight	42kg
Korean name
Hangul	구혜선
Hanja	具惠善
Revised Romanization	Gu Hye Seon
McCune–Reischauer	Ju Hui Shan

Ku Hye-sun (Hangul: 구혜선; born November 9, 1984) is a South Korean actress, singer & director. An admirer of Leonardo da Vinci, Ku also dabbles in directing, writing, illustrating, singing and composing. She is best known for her role as Geum Jan-di in the hit TV show Boys Over Flowers.

Career

Ku Hye-sun entered the entertainment industry after gaining popularity on the internet as an ulzzang. She began her acting career in one-act dramas and the sitcom Nonstop 5. She was also co-MC with Super Junior's Heechul on SBS's weekly live music show Inkigayo from April 23, 2006 to February 18, 2007.^[1]

Ku soon rose to fame in the drama Pure in Heart and surprised critics with her performance in the historical drama The King and I.^[2] She is most well known for portraying Geum Jan-di in the hit KBS drama Boys Over Flowers.^[3] After a year in limbo with no broadcasting slot, her pre-produced drama The Musical finally aired in September 2011.^[4][5] Ku next starred as a female pilot in the SBS series Take Care of Us, Captain,^[6][7][8] followed by Absolute Darling, the Taiwanese drama adaptation of the manga Absolute Boyfriend.^[9][10]

Originally set to debut as a singer (supposedly in a 3-member girl group with 2NE1's Park Bom and Sandara Park), YG Entertainment CEO Yang Hyun-suk advised Ku to pursue acting rather than music. In recent years, she has displayed her vocal talents through Sarang Ga ("Love Story," which became the title song of Pure in Heart), a cover of Shim Soo-bong's I Don't Know Anything But Love (which played during a crucial scene in Boys Over Flowers), and a duet of Kim Gun-mo's song Rain Falls on a Sleepless Night with Big Bang member Seungri on the music-talk show Lee Ha-na's Peppermint. Ku has also composed and released an album of New Age music titled Breath (2009), and the singles Brown Hair (2010), Marry Me (2012), Flying Galaxy (2013), and It's You (2013).^[11]

Ku wrote Tango, a semi-autobiographical novel about a twenty-something woman's experience with love and relationships. The book was a bestseller, selling 30,000 copies within a week. Its release coincided with her first solo art exhibition, also titled "Tango," in July 2009 at La Mer Gallery, which attracted 10,000 visitors. The exhibition featured around 40 of Ku's illustrations, some from her novel.^[12] She has also done artwork for Gummy's fourth album Comfort. In September 2012 she held her second solo art exhibition titled "Afterimage" at the Hangaram Design Arts Center in the Seoul Arts Center, showcasing 120 of her art pieces,^[13] then donating all proceeds from the sale of her artwork toward purchasing "clean cars" (germ-free automobiles) for the Korea Leukemia Patient Group.^[14][15][16]

Ku made her official debut as a director through her short film The Madonna at the 2009 Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival.^[17] After writing and directing her first feature-length film Magic in 2010, she continued directing short films such as You, and Fragments of Sweet Memories,^{[18][19][20][21]} as well as trailers for film festivals.

In 2011 Ku established her own company, Ku Hye-sun Film, under which she will produce and film her projects, which offers her a measure of legal/business protection. Her second directorial feature The Peach Tree was the first film made by her newly established production company.^{[22][23][24][25][26]} She said of directing, "It's tiring and grueling. At times you ask yourself, 'Why am I doing this?' But movies have the ability to make you feel alive."^[27][28][29] In 2012 She acted as a pilot named Han Da Jin in the drama "Take care of us,Captain" During the press meet she shared her views, "I thought flying a plane would be as easy as driving a car".She even told the reason why she prefers short hair, "After I shot the series Boys over Flower, I started directing several films and had a short haircut. Because I wanted to focus on shooting and I like short hair".

Her short film, "You" was screened at Moscow, Russia.^[30] She was voted No.1 Korean Natural Beauty in Spain.^[31] Her role in "Take care of us,Captain" won Recognition and Shined.^[32] In April 2012, for promoting her Taiwanese drama, "Absolute Boyfriend" she went and greeted fans in Taipei, Singapore along with her co-star Jiro Wang. She also received great applause from the author of "Absolute Boyfriend comic".^[33] Mean while,She stirred the hallyu world by making a 3D short film " Fragments of sweet memories" starring Yoo Seung-ho.^[34] In her interview she said "I liked fantasies. 3D technology helps widen the realm for imagination and expression. “However, it’s different from viewing huge projects like ‘Avatar’ where others pursued magnificent and large scaled scenes. I spent time figuring out how to best maximize the emotional and lyrical side of things. I tried to infuse more emotion to the scenes through the spatial and three-dimensional aspect so that others would be able to feel what is intended to be conveyed". This short film was also shown at the French Cannes festival.^[35] She also took part in the KBS2 TV programme "Star Life Theatre".^[36]

On June 23, On June 23, the actress tweeted, “Everyone’s help has become a great strength. Seo Deuh Kuh from Mongolia who has leukemia, make sure you will win! He will be returning to his homeland soon. Please send an encouraging message.”The picture showed Gu Hye Sun with Seo Deuh Kuh, a five-year-old child from Mongolia who came to Korea to receive treatment for leukemia. Thanks to Gu Hye Sun’s tweets, Seo Deuh Kuh was able to receive a bone marrow transplant and receive the proper treatment.^[37] Ku is always praised for her natural beauty. Based on n July 13th,she Voted Best Female Artist in the Entertainment Industry.^[38] She is also considered a brainy person in her university. On July 15th, she tweeted with a pic with she topping her department with a GPA of 4.44 in her school.^[39] In August, she attended "8th Jecheon International Music & Film Festival" where her 3D short film was screened. She also participated in "Big smile project" for women by contributing as a model for the "Women central magazine" cover photo. Ku Hye Sun becomes a best-selling author in Indonesia with her novel Tango (for Rp 43,920).^[40] She also gave her voice by narrating a documentary "The hospice of young children who live for today" in SBS. From 18–24 September,she conducted an art exhibition under the theme "After Image".In October 2012,She also donated her proceeds from her art exhibitions to help Leukemia patients. She attended the "Busan International Film Festival" where her full length featured film "The Peach tree" was screened. She released her new love song "Marry Me" on 15 October.^[41] Her movie "Peach Tree " Showcase at COEX Megabox on 16 October. She composed all the songs in her movie and wrote the lyrics too. She also wrote her next novel "Peach tree" based on the film, "The Peach tree".

On 25th, she attended "14th Annual Republic of Korea Design Award‘ ceremony" and was awarded "Minister Commendation".Her movie "The Peach Tree" hit the screens on Oct 31st. She also participated in TV shows like "Come to play - Ku hye sun" in MBC &  tvN's Taxi Talk Show.On November 23, Ku and SS501′s Heo Young Saeng received Korea Fulfillment Awards.^[42] She was also appointed "Good will ambassador of I3DF." ^[43] In March 30, 2013,"Peach Tree" was screened ar Golden Horse Fantastic Film Festival (GHFFF) in Taiwan and also on April 9 at the Brussels film festival (BIFF). She wrote a song and acted in MV along with Seo In Guk named "With laughter or with tears".^[44] She also directed a CF and for Samsung Galaxy S4 named "My story with S4" along with the other directors namely Jung Woo Sung and Kim Nam Gil.^[45] In May 2013, she showcased 15 of her artworks at the Hong Kong Contemporary Art Fair,.^[46][47] Her movie was screened at 15th IWFFIS(International Women's film festival).^[48] She and Lee Sang Bong are appointed as 2013 CICB Ambassador. She and Jang MiRan Ministry award for "sharing hapiness" on June 28.^[49] Her film "Peach tree"was screened at "New york Asian film festival".^[50] She released her MV on July 22 named "Its you". She not only wrote the music and lyrics of "It’s You", but also filmed and edited the music video^[51] From 14–19 August, she attended the "9th Jecheon International Music and Film Festival" (JIMFF) and was one among the jury for the it.^[52] After that she held an art exhibition under the theme "After image" and showed her 20-piece at the Korean Cultural Center in Shanghai. She is also the ambassador for "ArtisTree" - an organization to encourage arts. She has also lent her talent to Korean film fest by directing a trailer for 14th Persons with Disabilities film festival (PDFF) in which she used "sign language" to describe "People born with disabilities do not differ from normal people in the thing called "love".When normal people fall in love they become blind". On September 4, she attended the award presentation of "Love the environment" Contest as she being the ambassador for that contest. YG informed the reporters on Sept 25th that Ku Hye Sun‘s 2012 3D short film, Fragments of Memory, has advanced to finalist for the Seoul Senior Film Festival.So, Ku Hye Sun will attend the opening ceremony of the festival on Sept 30th to receive the citation from the Mayor Park Won Soon. YG spoke on behalf of Ku Hye Sun to reporters that: “It is an honor to make the finalist. Despite the fact that 3D film had to be shown in 2D, she is grateful that they still liked her film. I am so grateful to actor Yoo SeungHo for helping to make the film and I feel so sorry that I was never able to show him the original yet.” Seoul Senior Film Festival is a film festival that covers all three generations from teens to adults to older persons. Total of 36 films are advancing to finalist under the competition category.^[53] She was also invited by her friend, Lee Bo Young to sing on her wedding with Ji-Sung that was held on September 27, 2013 and Ku snag her self-composed song, "Its you" in the wedding.^[54] On Sept. 28th 2013, Ku Hye Sun attended CICB and exhibited 20 of her hand made crafts and shared her time with the public. She also displayed her wooden, metal crafts as well as surprisingly bright designs which will enlighten and cheer up everyday living spaces. She displayed her own crafts under the theme “butterfly effect”.^[55] On Sept 30th, Koo attended the Opening ceremony of Seoul Senior Film Festival. Koo is one among the finalists for her 3D short film, “Fragments of Memories” and she received citation directly from the mayor^[53] On Oct 3rd Koo attended the red carpet of Busan International Film Festival(BIFF). On Oct 8th, Koo modeled for Lie Sang Bong's fashion show.^[56] On Oct 29th her movie, Peach tree was screened at the Cine French opening.^[57] On November 13 Koo attended Sydney International Film Festival (SIFF) as she was appointed as the ambassador of the festival. On Nov 19th, her agency YG announced that Koo has planned for her upcoming movie "Daughter". In this movie, she plays 3 roles as producing,script writing as well as directing for it. This movie is a psychodrama that depicts a mother who gives her daughter an oppressive corporal punishment and her suffering daughter. Ku sends a message to society through the film and will be released in the year 2014.^[58] On Nov 28th, Koo released her 5th digital single "Happiness",^[59] which is a remake of Seo In Guk’s song of the same title featuring Ku hye sun, and expresses the feelings of regret and emptiness after a breakup from a woman’s perspective this time around. She has started to shoot for her 3rd full movie 'Daugther'. While talking about the movie, she said, "What is most important is to become the winner at the end/ultimately/finally. Right now is not the time to feel accomplished for what project is doing well or making that as a life's goal. To me, what is more important is what kind of person I will live as and remembered. In my 20's, a big hit came my way through BOF. But, I cannot be just stuck there. I felt that I need to mold/make myself even better and live my life even better. That is my life's goal."Actress Ku Hye Sun appears in MBC channel’s two-part documentary drama “Huh Nansulhun” (written by Kim Mi Ji, produced by Park Tae Sam) and takes part in the program’s narration and production, too.“Huh Nansulhun” is a special two-part drama created by Gangneung MBC, which will be broadcast in February. In the drama, Ku Hye Sun acts the role of “Huh Nansulhun”, the heroine, and “Ku Hye Sun in present days”. Plus, she takes the role of the narrator to lead the documentary and partially produced the drama, exerting her capabilities as a producer. Ku Hye Sun has displayed a variety of talents as an actress, filmmaker, painter, and singer, and she now spotlights the inner world of Huh Nansulhun from her perspective in “Huh Nansulhun”.Ku Hye Sun perfectly acts as Huh Nansulhun in her own way, to express Hu’s keen intellect and rich emotions through her eyes.^[60]

Filmography

As Actress

Commercial films

Magazine covers

Music Video  

As Director

Discography

Awards

References

External links

1. http://kuhyesun.com
2. Ku Hye-sun on Twitter
3. Ku Hye-sun on Me2day
4. Ku Hye-sun at Cyworld
5. Ku Hye-sun at YG Entertainment
6. Koo Hye-seon at HanCinema
7. Koo Hye-sun at the Internet Movie Database