Park Shin Hye is as serious about going to school as she is about her acting career. Since entering Chungang University in 2008, she has juggled her busy work schedule with a demanding school curriculum, still managing to earn a 3.0 grade point average.
She is a hard worker but even so it's hard to keep everyone happy.
"Since I work so hard not to miss my classes, my agency hates it," said Park, who admits she doesn't sleep much to make her conflicting schedules work. Often she only sleeps three or four hours a night.
To keep her agency happy and her career on track she has already twice had to take time off from her schoolwork. And she is about to do so again.
"Park Shin Hye had to turn in her leave of absence for this semester," said a representative from her agency, S.A.L.T. "She's attended her classes, but she couldn't help it this time."
Park previously took a leave of absence from school in 2009 to film the popular drama "You're Beautiful." She also left school in late 2010 to mid-year 2011 to appear in the film, "Cyrano Agency" and the drama "Heartstrings."
This time it's not just a drama or film that will interfere with her ability to attend class. She has an Asian tour coming up, with fan meetings lined up in several countries. The tour includes a fan meeting in China, for which she must practice her piano skills.
She is also scheduled to appear in a new drama, "The Heirs," with Lee Min Ho.
It has already been a busy year for Park. She recently appeared in the drama, "Flower Boys Next Door." Earlier this year she attended fan meetings in Japan and the Philippines. Last month, she worked on the film "Rock, Paper, Scissors of Love."
While her busy schedule in the next few months could still allow her enough free time to go to some classes and meet minimum requirements, that's not the way she wants to attend school. Park wants the full school experience, even if it means she can't graduate with her classmates.
She is currently in her fourth year, but may have to wait until next year to graduate. She still has to write her thesis.
"I have an Asian tour coming up, but I'm very attached to my studies," said Park. "I want to graduate properly."
