Ku Hye-sun

Ku Hye-sun
KuHyeSun at SeoulNTower
Born	Ku Hye Sun (1984-11-09) November 9, 1984 Incheon, South Korea
Residence	Paju, South Korea
Nationality	South Korean
Other names	Ku Hye Seon, Goo Hye Sun, Goo Hye Seon, Gu Hye Sun, Gu Hye Seon, Koo Hye Sun, Koo Hye Seon,
Education	Bu Heung Middle School, Shin Chon Elementary School To Bu Pyeong Dong Elementary School, Bu Pyeong Girls' High School
Alma mater	Sungkyunkwan University, Seoul Institute of the Arts
Occupation	Actress, Singer/Songwriter, Composer, Musician, Director, Screenwriter, Model, Painter, Novelist
Years active	2002–present
Agent	YG Entertainment
Height	1.63 m (5 ft 4 in)
Weight	42 kg (93 lb)
Awards	24
Korean name
Hangul	구혜선
Hanja	具惠善
Revised Romanization	Gu Hye-seon
McCune–Reischauer	Ku Hyesŏn

Ku Hye-sun (Hangul: 구혜선; born November 9, 1984) is a South Korean actress, singer-songwriter and director. She is best known for her roles in the television dramas Pure in Heart (2006), Boys Over Flowers (2009), Angel Eyes (2014) and Blood (2015).

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. 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.^[1] She is most well known for portraying Geum Jan-di in the mega hit KBS2 drama Boys Over Flowers opposite Lee Min Ho.^[2] After a year in limbo with no broadcasting slot, her first pre-produced drama The Musical finally aired in September 2011.^[3][4]

Ku made her official debut as a director through her short film The Madonna at the 2009 Puchon International Fantastic Film Festival.^[5] 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,^[6][7][8][9] 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.

Originally set to debut as a singer (supposedly in a three-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.

Her second directorial feature The Peach Tree was the first film made by her newly established production company.^{[10][11][12][13][14]} 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.".^[15][16][17]

Her short film, "You" was screened at Moscow, Russia.^[18] She directed a 3D short film " Fragments of sweet memories" starring Yoo Seung-ho.^[19] 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.^[20]

Ku next starred as a female pilot in the SBS series Take Care of Us, Captain,^[21][22][23] followed by Absolute Darling, the Taiwanese drama adaptation of the manga Absolute Boyfriend.^[24][25]

Based on July 13, she was voted Best Female Artist in the Entertainment Industry.^[26] 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).^[27] 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. 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.^[28] She was also appointed "Good will ambassador of I3DF."^[29] 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".^[30] 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.^[31] In May 2013, she showcased 15 of her artworks at the Hong Kong Contemporary Art Fair,.^[32][33] Her movie was screened at 15th IWFFIS(International Women's film festival).^[34] She and Lee Sang Bong are appointed as 2013 CICB Ambassador. She and Jang MiRan Ministry award for "sharing happiness" on June 28.^[35]

Her film "Peach tree"was screened at "New York Asian film festival".^[36] 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^[37] From 14–19 August, she attended the "9th Jecheon International Music and Film Festival" (JIMFF) and was one among the jury for the it.^[38] 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.^[39] 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.^[40]

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".^[41] 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.^[39] On Oct 8th, Koo modeled for Lie Sang Bong's fashion show.^[42] On Oct 29th her movie, Peach tree was screened at the Cine French opening.^[43] 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 three roles, producing, script writing and directing. 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.^[44] On Nov 28th, Koo released her 5th digital single "Happiness",^[45] 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 'Daughter'. 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 "Heo Nanseolheon" (written by Kim Mi Ji, produced by Park Tae Sam) and takes part in the program’s narration and production, too."Heo Nanseolheon" 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 "Heo Nanseulheon", 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 Heo Nanseulheon from her perspective in "Heo Nanseulheon". Ku Hye Sun perfectly acts as Heo Nanseulheon in her own way, to express Hu’s keen intellect and rich emotions through her eyes.^[46]

Ku acted in "Angel Eyes" of SBS. She portrayed the role of "Yoon Soo Wan", who was forced to separate from her first love due to painful family circumstances and meets him after 12 years. A legally blind woman who gets her vision back in an operation and decides to embrace life with passion by becoming an emergency rescue worker. Ku received lot of appreciation for her perfect portrayal of the character and her matured acting.

On September 2014, TVXQ's Changmin and Ku appeared in BeatBurger's MV "She is so high".The music video portrayed TVXQ′s Changmin and actress Ku Hye Sun acting out as a couple. The two have been friends with BeatBurger member Shim Jae Won for many years, and decided to appear in the music video.^[47] Ku's movie "Daughter" got invited to "Busan International Film Festival 2014" and is going to be released as an art movie at BIFF, produced and distributed by Yes Productions.^[48]

On 24 November, "Daughter" movie had a special screening meeting on Nov. 24th specifically for all the members of the congress (all parties).

The reason for this special meeting is to understand and to solve the problem of child abuse and other social problems. This meeting was co-organized by the senator and activist Nam Yoon In Soon who stated that: Child abuse problem is real in our society as portrayed in the movie, <Daughter>. We aim to look for and implement alternatives and solutions from the congressional level."

In the KBS drama Blood which began airing 16 in February 2015, she plays the character "Yoo Ri Ta" a genius who entered medical school at the age of 17 and who is also wealthy, bright, cheerful character who enjoys her wealth and is often misunderstood as an arrogant and outrageous person. Koo hye sun and the lead actor of this drama, Ahn Jae-hyun shot on location footage in Romania for this drama. Although the rating was low in Korea, internationally it was a success topping the internet for most watch and becoming the number 1 show on dramfever throughout its airing and continued on after the final episode.

On 29 April 2015, Ku’s piano piece "Rain" topped the QQ music chart, China’s largest search engine. Released six years previously, Ku topped the chart due to the attention given to Blood in China as well.^[49]

As of May 14, 2015, she released a second album titled "Breath2". Her album 'Breath 2' serves as a follow up to her 2009 album 'Breath'. The title track "After 10 Years 100 Years" is a remake of the OST from the film 'Peach Tree'. Her version has been made into a piano track and she composed it herself and Choi In Young has arranged it.

Ku appeared on SBS radio program, 'Gong Hyung Jin's Cinetown,' on July 2, 2015 and talked about her famous baby-face as she never aging beauty.

She also takes up as a lead role in Chinese drama; her agency stated on November 6, 2015 that she's set to star in 'The Legendary Tycoon'. She will be playing the noble and pure wife of the lead, who is a self-made godfather of the Chinese film industry. A rep stated that they had previously worked with her for her Taiwanese drama 'Absolute Boyfriend', showing that they have a special connection leading to their new project. The rep explained that despite the difficult script because of language difference, she showed professionalism during filming, touching everybody.

According to ' Showbiz Korea' Ku was considered as a "Hallyu Queen" because of her high popularity in local and internationally.

Ku is adding another first to her impressive artistic resume will have her first concert at Understage in the Itaewon neighborhood of Seoul. According to the Korean media outlet Joongang Daily her concert takes place on November 21, 2015

Ku sings about 'A Day Without Sound' it's a simple and beautiful MV showcasing her performing on stage, with the lyrics featured in the center of the video.

As of December 29, 2015 she does a free wedding pictorial for a close friend as a beautiful inside and out. She debuted in the entertainment world as an advertisement model back in 2002, and at the time, had become close friends with her hairstylist, Chief Seo Yoon. Thirteen years after the fact, they are still close friends, so she partook in the photo shoot without accepting any pay. Chief Seo Yoon stated, "We relayed a youthful vibe through natural hairstyles rather than the normal wedding hairstyles like up-dos. Likewise, the makeup was relayed with a natural look as Hye Sun always had such a clear complexion and clean skin, so we just put a bit of emphasis on her lips."

Filmography

As Actress

Television

Film

Music video

As Director

Feature film

Short film

Concert

Trailer

Discography

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), It's You (2013), Happy (2013), Floral Rain (2014), Must (2014), Ku has also composed and released an album of new-age music titled Breath2 (2015), A Day Without Sound (2015), and Let Me Fly (2015).^[63]

Books and exhibitions

In 2009, 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.^[77] 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,^[78] then donating all proceeds from the sale of her artwork toward purchasing "clean cars" (germ-free automobiles) for the Korea Leukemia Patient Group.^[79][80][81]

Commercials

Magazine covers

Awards and nominations

Goodwill ambassador

• 2012 International 3D Festival^[86]
• 2013 Cheongju International Craft Biennale^[87]
• 2013 Artistree ^[88]
• 2013 the 4th Persons with Disabilities Film Festival^[89]
• 2013 Sydney International Film Festival^[90]
• 2015 Honorary ambassador for Seoul 2015 International Blind Sports Association World Games
• 2015 Honorary ambassador Korean Leukemia Association ^[91]

References

External links

• Ku Hye-sun on Cyworld
• Ku Hye-sun on Facebook
• Ku Hye-sun at YG Entertainment
• Ku Hye-sun at HanCinema
• Ku Hye-sun at the Internet Movie Database

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