Koo Hye Sun has been honored with the prestigious 30th KAIST Literary Award. The winners were announced on Wednesday via the KAIST Newspaper, with Koo Hye Sun receiving the top prize in the essay division. The awards recognize excellence across four categories: poetry, essays, screenplays, and novels.
Koo Hye Sun’s award-winning essay, The Neighborhood That Was Not Poor, reflects on her upbringing in a close-knit community in Incheon, South Korea. Through this heartfelt narrative, she recounts growing up in a neighborhood that felt like an extended family, where neighbors shared love, wisdom, and life lessons.
She previously shared similar stories from her childhood during her appearance on the third season of Let’s Live Together with Park Won Sook, a popular variety program on KBS 2TV. On the show, she spoke candidly about the deep connections she had with her neighbors and how those relationships shaped her life. Her genuine and relatable personality shone as she bonded effortlessly with cast members, including Park Won Sook and Hye Eun Yee, as well as the locals in Yeongdeok, the filming location.
In The Neighborhood That Was Not Poor, Koo Hye Sun brings these tender memories to life, inviting readers to connect with her warm and approachable storytelling.
Following the recognition, Koo Hye Sun expressed her gratitude through her agency, NS E&M. She shared, “My professor encouraged me to refine the essay and consider publishing it, which inspired me to dedicate time to perfecting it.” She also revealed plans to release an essay collection next year titled Koo Hye Sun in Wonderland (working title), which will include this award-winning piece. “I am deeply grateful to KAIST for this honor. It has given me the confidence to complete my collection,” she said.
Koo Hye Sun continues to captivate audiences with her diverse talents across film, television, and the arts. Renowned for her multifaceted career as an actress, singer, writer, and director, she has earned recognition for excelling in numerous creative fields.
In October, she made waves in the film industry with her directorial debut at the Busan International Film Festival, further solidifying her reputation as a versatile artist. She has also received praise for balancing her creative pursuits with her academic achievements, earning top honors as a graduate of Sungkyunkwan University and later securing a place in KAIST’s esteemed graduate program.
In addition to her academic and literary accomplishments, Koo Hye Sun has drawn attention through her YouTube channel, Studio Koo Hye Sun, where she shares original New Age piano compositions alongside related content.
Koo Hye Sun began her acting career in 2004 with the MBC sitcom Nonstop 5, but it was her breakout role in the 2009 drama Boys Over Flowers that launched her into stardom. Her personal life also attracted public interest when she married actor and model Ahn Jae Hyun in 2016, though the couple separated in 2020, citing irreconcilable differences.
Since then, Koo Hye Sun has focused on her studies and creative endeavors, continuing to expand her repertoire. Fans eagerly anticipate her upcoming projects, confident in her ability to explore new artistic directions. With her remarkable range of talents, Koo Hye Sun remains an inspiring and innovative figure in the entertainment industry.
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