Koo Hye Sun Wins Prestigious KAIST Literary Award for Her Heartfelt Essay on Childhood Memories

Koo Hye Sun has been honored with the prestigious 30th KAIST Literary Award. On Wednesday, the winners were announced by KAIST Newspaper, with Koo Hye Sun taking home the top prize in the essay category. The award was given among four categories: poetry, essays, screenplays, and novels.

Koo Hye Sun’s winning essay, The Neighborhood That Was Not Poor, reflects on her childhood in a small Incheon, South Korean community. In this heartfelt piece, she recounts her experiences growing up in a tight-knit neighborhood where neighbors became like family, sharing love and life lessons.

Koo Hye Sun previously shared similar memories of her childhood during her appearance on the third season of Let’s Live Together with Park Won Sook, a popular variety show on KBS 2TV. During the show, she spoke candidly about her deep connections with her neighbors and how those relationships shaped her. Her natural charm and down-to-earth personality shone through, as she easily connected with fellow cast members, including Park Won Sook and Hye Eun Yee, and the residents of Yeongdeok, where the show is filmed.

In The Neighborhood That Was Not Poor, Koo Hye Sun brings these warm, personal stories to life, giving readers a glimpse into her character’s kind-hearted and relatable side.

After receiving the award, Koo Hye Sun expressed her gratitude through her agency, NS E&M. She said, “My professor encouraged me to refine the essay and consider publishing it, which motivated me to spend a lot of time perfecting it.” She added, “Next year, I plan to release a collection of essays titled ‘Koo Hye Sun in Wonderland’ (working title), including this essay. I’m so thankful to KAIST for this recognition. Thanks to this honor, I feel more confident about completing my essay collection.”

Koo Hye Sun continues to captivate audiences with her multifaceted talents in film, television, and the arts. Known for her diverse career as an actress, singer, writer, and director, she has been gaining increasing attention for her ability to excel in various creative fields.

In October, Koo Hye Sun made a significant mark in the film industry with her directorial debut at the Busan International Film Festival, further solidifying her reputation as a well-rounded artist. She has also become widely admired for balancing her career with academic pursuits, earning praise for her dedication and hard work.

Adding to her impressive portfolio, Koo Hye Sun has recently garnered attention with her YouTube channel, Studio Koo Hye Sun, where she shares self-composed New Age piano music and accompanying videos. With her expanding creative endeavors, Koo Hye Sun continues to amaze audiences as a true renaissance woman in the entertainment industry.

Koo Hye Sun made her acting debut in 2004 through the popular MBC sitcom Nonstop 5, but her breakout role in the 2009 hit drama Boys Over Flowers catapulted her to stardom. Her personal life also made headlines when she married actor and model Ahn Jae Hyun in 2016. However, the couple divorced in 2020, citing irreconcilable differences.

Following the divorce, Koo Hye Sun turned her focus to academics, graduating as the valedictorian from Sungkyunkwan University and later gaining acceptance to KAIST’s prestigious graduate program.

As Koo Hye Sun expands her creative horizons, fans eagerly anticipate her next move, wondering what exciting new projects she will take on. With her impressive range of talents, there’s no doubt that she will continue to surprise and inspire her audience.