"Boys Over Flowers" Star Ku Hye Sun Earns Her Master's Degree

Ku Hye Sun continues to rewrite what a post-K-drama chapter can look like. The Boys Over Flowers actress has officially completed her master’s degree at the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST)—and she did it ahead of schedule.

The news comes almost two years after she made headlines for graduating summa cum laude from university at 39. This time, it’s another new look into how seriously Hye Sun has committed to the academic life beyond the spotlight.

Ku Hye Sun announced her early graduation on Instagram, posting photos of herself in a graduation cap alongside the cover of her completed thesis. The actress revealed that she had passed her master’s thesis and finished the program ahead of time.

In the caption translated by The Chosun Daily, she shared a photo of her bound thesis and wrote, “The freshly bound thesis has arrived,” before adding, “Next…a doctorate (?!)…Victory!” The title of her thesis is The Fifth Wall: Reprojection in the Age of One-Person Media, reflecting her academic focus on media and communication in the digital age.

She earned her master’s degree in science journalism at KAIST, which she entered in the fall of 2024. Alongside her studies, Hye Sun also worked on a practical innovation: an eco-friendly hair roller called Kurool.

Developed during her time at KAIST, Kurool features a flat, bendable design that allows users to adjust the size themselves. According to The Chosun Daily, the product reduces plastic use by about 80 percent compared to conventional hair rollers and was selected for the 2025 Excellent Patent Award.

Hye Sun’s master’s degree follows another widely talked-about academic achievement. In February 2024, she graduated from Sungkyunkwan University with a summa cum laude distinction, after re-enrolling in 2020 to study film and media following a long pause in her education.

She previously stepped away from school during the height of her acting career, which took off after her role as Geum Jan Di in Boys Over Flowers in 2009. After her separation from actor Ahn Jae Hyun, Hye Sun made the decision to return to campus—this time as a nontraditional student.

That period wasn’t easy. In a past television appearance, Hye Sun revealed that she was living out of her car while finishing her degree, explaining that long commutes and housing issues near campus left her with few options. She spoke candidly about sleeping in parking areas, staying in libraries, and simplifying her daily routine so she could focus on school.

Despite the challenges, she graduated at the top of her class with a 4.27 average, adding an early master’s degree from KAIST and an award-winning patent to her record—proof that Hye Sun doesn’t do anything halfway!