Actress Koo Hye-sun has transformed into an inventor, taking the world by surprise. She has once again proven her intelligence and talent by receiving a special award in the Creative Talent category from KAIST for her patented hair roller ‘Kurrol’, which she researched and developed herself.
Recently, Koo Hye-sun proudly made her mark as one of the 19 outstanding teams in KAIST’s new cultural strategy ‘QAIST’ announcement. QAIST is a core value system proposed by KAIST for campus innovation, and Koo Hye-sun was recognized for her outstanding achievements in the field of creative talent.
Koo Hye-sun recognized at KAIST not for an actress but as an inventor
Currently enrolled in the master’s program at KAIST’s Graduate School of Future Strategy, Koo Hye-sun has demonstrated a remarkable passion for her studies. On the 2nd, she shared the joyful news on her social media (SNS), stating, “I’ve received the KAIST Creative Talent Special Award. I will devote myself even more to my studies,” expressing her commitment to her academic pursuits.
This award is not just a simple accolade. Being recognized as ‘Creative Talent’ at KAIST, where Korea’s top science and engineering talents gather, signifies that she, originally an actress, has been acknowledged for her ideas and efforts. Her relentless pursuit of new fields beyond her entertainment career has captured the public’s interest.
What exactly is this flat hair roller?
The hair roller ‘Kurrol’, developed by Koo Hye-sun, was launched in the market last month. The most notable feature of this product is its ‘flat structure’, which breaks the stereotype of conventional hair rollers. To overcome the bulkiness and portability limitations of existing products, it is designed to be stored flat and can be bent into a circular shape only when in use.
What’s particularly noteworthy is the eco-friendly design. By boldly omitting the plastic structure that occupies the largest volume in regular hair rollers, it reduces the amount of plastic used by 80%. This aligns perfectly with the recent consumer trends that prioritize environmental issues. The product is being evaluated as a smart invention that considers functionality, portability, and the environment.
Studio Koo Hye-sun established, capturing the essence of K-culture
To develop this product, Koo Hye-sun established the venture company ‘Studio Koo Hye-sun’. She succeeded in turning her ideas into reality by collaborating with KAIST’s excellent research team.
At the product launch, she drew attention by stating, “This isn’t just a product launch; it’s interpreted as an expansion of K-culture phenomenology.” She explained, “This small hair roller encompasses the unique landscape and narrative of Korean society, where people step out with hair rollers on their heads.” Her deep insight into incorporating Korea’s unique culture of walking outside with hair rollers into the product stands out.
Now having added the title of inventor and entrepreneur to actress, film director, painter, and writer, Koo Hye-sun’s challenges are expected to continue.
