Koo Hye-sun

Koo Hye-sun (born November 9, 1984 ) is a South Korean actress, singer-songwriter, director and artist.

Her performance as Hye-jin in the 2004 MBC sitcom Nonstop 5 attracted the audience's attention.

In 2005, she released her first single "Happy Birthday to You" for Nonstop 5.

She gained widespread recognition in the television dramas Hearts of Nineteen (2006), The King And I (2007), Boys Over Flowers (2009), Take Care of Us, Captain (2012), Angel Eyes (2014), Blood (2015).

Koo Hye-sun entered the entertainment industry after gaining popularity on the Internet as an ulzzang.

She used to be a trainee under SM Entertainment, before switching over to DSP Media and preparing to debut in a girl group called Ria.

But after it didn't work out she then signed under YG Entertainment.

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 Koo to pursue acting rather than music.

She made her debut in a CF for Sambo computers and then made her television debut in the KBS horror series Anagram, and continued to appear in one-act dramas.

Koo soon rose to fame in the 2006 television drama Hearts of Nineteen and surprised critics with her performance in the historical drama The King and I.

She then starred in the historical drama Strongest Chil Woo.

Koo rose to fame for her role as Geum Jan-di in the mega hit KBS2 drama Boys Over Flowers opposite Lee Min-ho, which gained her pan-Asia popularity.

In 2006, she released the track "Sarang Ga" ("Love Story"), which became the title song of Hearts of Nineteen.

Koo released her first album Breath in 2009, an album of new-age music which included her composed song for her friend and singer, Gummy, entitled "Around the Alley".

She then released her self composed and written digital single "Brown Hair" in 2010, with the music rearranged by bossa nova pianist Choi In-young.

After a year in limbo with no broadcasting slot, her first pre-produced drama The Musical finally aired in September 2011.

Koo next starred as a female pilot in the SBS series Take Care of Us, Captain, followed by Absolute Darling, the Taiwanese drama adaptation of the manga Absolute Boyfriend.

After two years break from acting career, Koo appears in MBC channel's two-part documentary drama Heo Nanseolheon.

She took part in the program's narration and production as well.

In 2012, Koo released her first self-composed soundtrack, titled "Fly Again" for SBS's Take Care of Us, Captain, which she stars in.

In 2012, Koo released "It's You" and its music video.

She not only wrote the music and lyrics of "It's You", but also filmed and edited the music video.

Koo then made a small screen comeback acting in SBS's weekend drama Angel Eyes in 2014.

She played 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.

In 2014, Koo released her 5th digital single "Happy", which is also a remake to Seo In-guk's song "Were We Happy".

She released another self-written single titled "Must" the same year, which also serves as the soundtrack of her film Daughter.

In February 2015, Koo starred in KBS's vampire drama Blood.

She plays an arrogant genius physician who entered medical school at a young age of 17.

Blood suffered low ratings in Korea and was criticized for her acting.

On November 6, 2015, Koo was confirmed to be starring in a Chinese drama The Legendary Tycoon which tells the life story of Run Run Shaw, a self-made entertainment mogul from Hong Kong.

Koo was cast in the MBC's weekend drama You're Too Much alongside Uhm Jung-hwa.

However, she left the show after two weeks due to health reasons.

In 2015, she released a second album titled Breath 2, which 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 The Peach Tree.

Koo held her first concert the same year.

In June 2019, Koo signed with HB Entertainment, same agency as her ex-husband Ahn Jae-hyun.

Koo contract with HB Entertainment was terminated on April 29, 2020, after it was initiated by her.

On July 23, 2020, Koo signed with Mimi Entertainment.

On November 8, 2021, Koo signed with IOK Company.

In recent years, Koo has displayed her vocal talents through soundtrack releases as well as digital singles.