Actress Gu Hye Sun emerged from her role as the wide-eyed ingenue as Geum Jan Di in “Boys Over Flowers” to take on a character which could be the Korean version of Bella Swan for “Blood.” While she is not an innocent high school student in “Blood,” as Yoo Ri Ta, she will be the object of affection and blood-lust for Park Ji Sang.
“Blood” also stars Ahn Jae Hyun as Park Ji Sang, a doctor who also happens to be a vampire.
Her versatility extends beyond the confines of the one-dimensional K-Drama female character, making her a prized actress in Asian entertainment.
She initially trained as a vocalist, prior to her debut as an actress. Under the tutelage of YG Entertainment, she turned towards a career in acting over debuting as a K-pop idol.
One of her first major television appearances was on “Nonstop,” like many young actors and idols in the early ‘00s. She would continue to appear in several small roles prior to her breakout roles in “Pure in Heart” and “Boys Over Flowers.”
While international fans may have first recognized her in “Boys Over Flowers,” one of her first notable roles was Yang Gook Hwa in the 2006 KBS program “Pure in Heart.” Gook Hwa was a spunky girl who warmed the ice cold heart of Park Yoon Hoo (Seo Ji Seok). Through her charismatic spirit and tenacity, Gook Hwa makes a strong impression on Yoon Hoo.
In 2009, she starred in “Boys Over Flowers,” the teen drama which would solidify her place as a Hallyu star. Audiences cheered for Geum Jan Di as she struggled to survive within the confines of high society, while also attempting to maintain a relationship with Gu Jun Pyo (Lee Min Ho).
Jan Di would later become an iconic drama role like Sam Soon of “My Lovely Sam Soon.” Both heroines endured extreme circumstances to emerge as strong women who were reluctant to conform to societal norms.
Her next major K-Drama role as Go Eun Bi in“The Musical” would reflect her training as an aspiring idol. Eun Bi was a medical student who dreamed of a career in musical theater. Choi Daniel (Big Man) and Park Ki Woong (Secretly, Greatly) rounded out the cast of “The Musical.”
While she delivered a strong performance, “The Musical” would reflect underwhelming ratings. “The Musical” was followed by the 2012 airline drama “Take Care of Me, Captain.” “Take Care of Me, Captain” also yielded lackluster ratings.
The 2012 Taiwanese drama “Absolute Boyfriend” would serve as another groundbreaking drama for Gu Hye Sun. “Absolute Boyfriend” was based on a Japanese manga. Gu portrayed Guan Xiao Fei, a young woman who maintained a relatively cloistered life. Xiao Fei was mocked at work for not having a boyfriend and targeted by a group of malicious secretaries.
Jiro Wang of the Taiwanese boy band Fahrenheit, the group which delivered Aaron Yan to the drama world, starred as Xiao Fei’s robotic boyfriend.
In 2014, she starred in the medical drama “Angel Eyes.” She convincing portrayed Yoon Soo Wan, a paramedic who was once blind but gained the ability to see through an eye transplant.
Gu Hye Sun has transitioned from roles which required teenage innocence to “Blood,” a vampire story which will undoubtedly make an indelible mark on Korean drama.
"Blood" will premier on February 16 on KBS at 11 p.m. KST.
