Goo Hye-sun Addresses 'Exaggeration' Claims, Reveals Why She Publicly Declares Goals

Korean actress Ku Hye-sun (구혜선) has actively expanded her career into various fields in recent years, not only acting but also pursuing painting, film directing, and writing. She even returned to her studies amidst her entertainment career. However, the long-standing controversy surrounding accusations of her making "exaggerated claims" has continued to draw public attention. Recently, she appeared on a program and directly responded to these criticisms for the first time, revealing the true reason behind her habit of publicly declaring her goals.

On May 27, the official YouTube channel of the Korea Intellectual Property Office released a video titled "From Actress to Painter, From Film Director to Patent Holder – For Those Who Constantly Challenge Themselves." Ku Hye-sun was invited as a guest to share the motivation behind her decision to pursue further education and her life after returning to school.

For years, Ku Hye-sun has balanced her acting career with her academic pursuits. In her late 30s, she enrolled in Sungkyunkwan University's Department of Film, TV, and Multimedia, graduating at the top of her class in 2024, a testament to her impressive academic achievements. In June of the same year, she was accepted into the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) Graduate School of Science Journalism's Master of Engineering program, where she focused on her studies and completed the master's course.

During her university studies, Ku Hye-sun was surrounded by many classmates significantly younger than herself, which allowed her to experience generational differences firsthand. She admitted that her presence unexpectedly became a source of encouragement for younger students to continue their education.

Ku Hye-sun recalled, "When I graduated from university, there was a 20-year age gap between me and the freshmen. Some students who had retaken exams two or three times came to me with their worries, feeling they were too old. So I told them, 'Look at me,' and we studied together." She laughed, adding, "My very existence was a form of courage. They initially felt they were very late, but after seeing me, all their worries seemed to disappear."

Discussing generational differences, Ku Hye-sun also revealed that she found a more open-minded way of thinking among students nearly 20 years her junior. "Because of the almost 20-year age difference, I truly felt they were more open-minded." She explained that in the past, if she did something unconventional or stood out, she would often face criticism or blame, but the younger generation's reaction was completely different. She said, "They accept that you are different from others and would tell me, 'It's possible to think that way, and I think this way.' I was truly surprised."

In fact, for many years, Ku Hye-sun has not only been active in the drama scene but has also served as a film director, writer, and painter, continuously expanding her scope of activities. Recently, she even unveiled a product she personally invented and patented, further venturing into the business world.

She has a unique method for repeatedly challenging herself with different goals. Ku Hye-sun recently appeared on MBC's variety show "Radio Star" and personally addressed the public's past accusations of her making "exaggerated claims," explaining why she habitually states her goals aloud. At the time, she said, "I'm the kind of person who speaks things into existence. If I don't say it first, I won't do it, and I might end up giving up."

She cited her debut at age 20 as an example, revealing, "At that time, I said, 'I will become a director in the future,' and there was a lot of ridicule online. But because I had already said it, I worked hard to achieve it." Later, she publicly stated, "I must graduate from Sungkyunkwan University with top honors." Unexpectedly, even her mother warned her, "Don't keep saying these things; if you say them too much, won't people easily think you're lying?"

However, Ku Hye-sun ultimately achieved her goal, graduating with excellent grades from Sungkyunkwan University. After accomplishing that goal, she told her mother about her next challenge: "I'm going to KAIST."

From actress to director, painter, then completing her university degree, pursuing a master's, and even venturing into invention and patents, Ku Hye-sun has consistently proven her intentions through her actions. Looking back now, she believes that instead of fearing being different from others, it's better to bravely express one's thoughts, while also learning to respect and accept different opinions.