Goo Hye-sun Shows Determination On Getting A PhD And Reflects Severe Injury And Car Accident On “Boys Over Flower” Set
Park Won-sook asked Goo Hye-sun about her studies, to which she replied, “I majored in Film Studies. I originally enrolled in 2011, but I couldn’t continue because of my acting career. I re-enrolled in 2020 and graduated in 2024.” When asked which universities she attended, Goo explained, “I graduated from Sungkyunkwan University, and now I’ve enrolled in graduate school at KAIST. I didn’t enjoy studying when I was younger, but now I find it fun.”
She further revealed her academic goals, saying, “I’m pursuing a master’s degree now and plan to move on to a PhD. My parents have always encouraged me to keep studying.”
In response to questions about her debut, Goo recalled, “I debuted when I was 19. I didn’t initially want to be an actress—I started as an idol trainee, but I couldn’t sing or dance well. The company president asked if I’d like to try acting, and that’s how it started. I was cast on the spot when I met the producer of Nonstop at the broadcasting station entrance.” She went on to achieve success, starring in several lead roles. Goo noted that her breakout came with the drama Hearts of Nineteen, which achieved a 42% viewership rating and opened many doors for her.
Despite her success, Goo clarified that she hasn’t quit acting, explaining, “I still act in my own films when my funding is not enough. I’ve made five short films and three feature films, all written by me. Although none of them have been commercial hits, I consider myself a growing filmmaker.” In addition to her work as a director, she also composes music, further showcasing her diverse talents. “Film is a comprehensive art,” she explained. “You need to study painting, acting, and music, which is why I’m so focused on my studies.”
Goo also reflected on a health scare during the filming of the popular drama Boys Over Flowers, where she played the role of a swimmer. While practicing a diving scene, she hit her head on the bottom of the pool, suffering a concussion. “I experienced nausea for three to four days after that,” she said, recalling the difficult period.
The challenges didn’t end there. Toward the end of the Boys Over Flowers shoot, Goo was involved in a serious car accident. “My face was severely injured, and there was a lot of bleeding,” she revealed. The accident was so severe that her car was totaled, and the drama had to delay its broadcast. Despite this, Goo felt she couldn’t afford to miss more than two episodes and continued filming, even though she could barely speak due to her injuries. “I just acted using facial expressions,” she said, shocking the audience with her determination and resilience.
Throughout the interview, Goo Hye-sun demonstrated her passion for both acting and directing, as well as her dedication to continuous learning and growth, despite the many hardships she has faced in her career.
