Goo Hye-sun Collaborates with KAIST Professor to Unveil Foldable Hair Roller on Korea’s Invention Day
On May 19, actress Goo Hye-sun took to social media to celebrate Korea’s Invention Day by sharing news about her hair roller invention. She wrote, “Today is Invention Day. I visited the Korea Invention Promotion Association for an interview about my hair roller invention.” Along with photos from her visit, Goo Hye-sun highlighted her patented flat, foldable hair roller, created to address the hassle of using traditional bulky rollers.
Unlike conventional cylindrical rollers, Goo Hye-sun’s invention features a unique rectangular shape that can be bent to fit various hair sizes. This innovative design, developed in collaboration with KAIST chemistry professor Lee Hae-shin, highlights Goo Hye-sun’s ability to combine creativity with technical expertise. The patent, initially filed in July 2020 and officially registered in December 2021, reflects her dedication to innovation while pursuing academic achievements.
Goo Hye-sun’s journey with the foldable hair roller began during her studies at Sungkyunkwan University and continues through her master’s program at KAIST’s Graduate School of Science Journalism, where she is currently enrolled. During a recent appearance on MBC’s variety show Radio Star, she revealed that the invention also helped fulfill her graduation requirements. She explained the motivation behind her invention, “I wondered why hair rollers always had the same inconvenient shape. Carrying multiple rollers takes up a lot of space, but my foldable design fits even into a card wallet.”
The actress, who graduated top of her class from Sungkyunkwan University’s Department of Film, Television, and Multimedia in 2024, now balances her academic pursuits with her artistic career, focusing on writing, directing, and painting. Goo Hye-sun’s creative talents extend beyond acting, marking her as a multifaceted artist and inventor.
Her upcoming product launch aims to bring the foldable hair roller to the beauty and lifestyle markets, promising convenience and innovation for users worldwide.
Goo Hye-sun first rose to fame through her debut in 2002 and her iconic role as Geum Jan-di in the 2009 hit drama Boys Over Flowers. She married model-turned-actor Ahn Jae-hyun in 2016 but divorced in 2020. While she has stepped back from acting, her ongoing projects in invention and academia continue to draw attention.
