Actor Koo Hye-sun returned to Radio Star, which had been embroiled in an attitude controversy, after a year.
On the 14th, MBC's Radio Star released a preview video for next week's broadcast of episode 949.
According to the preview, Radio Star episode 949 will be presented as a "Talks about horses: speak as you say" special to mark 2026, the byeongo year (丙午年), the year of the red horse. Guests include Lee Keum-hee, former comedian-turned home shopping host Yeom Kyung-hwan, broadcaster Jeon Min-gi, and actor Koo Hye-sun, who appeared and showed off their wit.
In the preview, Koo Hye-sun said, "If you say it, it will come true," and shared her recent news: "I will compose 50 songs, I will hold an exhibition, I will definitely graduate at the top of my class. I achieved it and received a patent award."
In fact, Koo Hye-sun reenrolled in the film department at Sungkyunkwan University in 2020, graduated at the top of her class, and in 2024 was accepted to the graduate school at Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology for a master's program in science journalism engineering. After finishing the master's program in less than two years, Koo Hye-sun developed the eco-friendly hair roller "Cu-roll" last year and was selected for the excellent patent award, drawing attention. Amid this, she is expected to appear on Radio Star to share the behind-the-scenes story about that.
In particular, Koo Hye-sun's appearance on Radio Star comes about a year later. When she appeared on Radio Star in January last year, she attracted attention by appearing wearing a hat.
Koo Hye-sun said, "I was getting ready to wash up today, but the boiler broke. So I couldn't wash my hair today and wore a hat," and added, "The PD asked if it would be better for me to take off the hat during recording, but I'm in a situation where I can't take off the hat right now."
After the broadcast aired, some criticized Koo Hye-sun's words and actions as "rude," raising an attitude controversy. They said that even though there were plenty of alternatives, her stubbornness looked insincere. In response, Koo Hye-sun explained, "Wearing a beanie to a variety show that aims to make people laugh, not a place that requires formal etiquette, due to personal circumstances, is neither bad behavior nor rude; it is my freedom. But I am very grateful for such criticism."
Afterward, Koo Hye-sun directly confronted the controversy by posting several photos of herself proudly wearing hats, saying, "The hat is my freedom♥ while I'm at it, hat collection." Some netizens called it a 'power play' and expressed discomfort, but Koo Hye-sun said, "I still believe that the choice to accept or not accept the various 'opinions' and 'dissenting views' about me is mine to make. In that sense, I am 'free'," and added, "I know well that my way of life may not be sufficient for others, and I know I must live as myself, so I welcome and ask for your continued attention to the absurd disputes that will occur in the future."
The controversy was also mentioned at a Radio Star press conference held shortly afterward, and PD Kim Myung-yeop said, "It's a bit sensitive, but to tell you the result first, there was talk of an attitude controversy, but that's not the case at all. One of the PD's duties is to monitor with the guests how they will appear on screen and ask, 'Are you okay? Would it be better to take off the hat?'" He explained, "On the contrary, she came early, did the readings with us well, and the recording that day went very well. It's regrettable that it became a controversy."
Meanwhile, the MBC Radio Star episode featuring Koo Hye-sun will air on the 21st at 10:30 p.m.
[Photo] MBC
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