Ku Hye-sun addresses hair roller pricing controversy, citing manual production

Ku Hye-sun, an actress, film director, and entrepreneur, has addressed the controversy surrounding the pricing of her self-developed hair rollers. As her eco-friendly, patented product gains market traction, she candidly shared the reasoning behind its price point and her challenges as a business owner.

On the MBN talk show 'Kim Ju-ha's Day and Night' airing on the 18th, the program will showcase Ku's transition from actress to entrepreneur. She will share insights into the development of her eco-friendly hair rollers—which have gained fame for selling out repeatedly—and the realities of managing her business.

In particular, she offered her first detailed response to online criticisms claiming the product's price is excessively high.

"The product price may feel somewhat high," Ku explained, noting that "the structure makes factory-style mass production difficult. Since all processes must be carried out manually and must go through four stages of processing, the production cost itself is bound to be high."

She confessed that as she expanded her career from artist to entrepreneur, her perspective on value and pricing shifted significantly.

"Before making products, I was an artist. The criteria for pricing an artwork is quite subjective," Ku said. "However, after starting a business, I had to calculate costs, production expenses, and profit structures. I began to realistically worry about how much margin is required to remain sustainable."

She also shared the practical changes she has experienced since entering the business world: "While running a business, I had to study money all over again. Before that, I felt like I really didn't know anything about money."

The broadcast will also cover her thoughts on the various controversies and public perceptions that have followed her career.

When MC Kim Ju-ha asked if she had felt targeted by past criticisms—such as claims that she "speaks before she acts" or exhibits "pathological lying tendencies"—Ku calmly admitted to the reputation.

"I have heard those things a lot," she said. "But I am actually the type of person who only moves after speaking first. If I don't say it, I eventually end up not executing it. I know my personality best."

She added, "Actually, I am quite a lazy person. So, to motivate myself, I announce my goals publicly. Once I say it, I feel compelled to take responsibility and make it a reality."

Ku was also candid about her 20-year career as a film director.

"The movies I made all failed at the box office," Ku said with a laugh, but she quickly reframed the sentiment: "Those failures were actually my most successful experiences."

"Through failure, I gained inner strength and became much mentally tougher," she said. "Now, I am not afraid of failure itself. That is why I think I can continue to take on new challenges."

Her comments reflect the mindset of a creator who values the accumulation of experience over immediate results, showcasing an entrepreneurial ability to turn failure into an asset for growth.

Finally, when asked about her future goals, she drew laughter from the set with an unexpected answer.

After a moment of thought, Ku replied, "Resisting my appetite for food," bringing a lighthearted and quirky charm to the studio.

Expanding her reach from actress, film director, writer, and painter to eco-friendly product developer and brand manager, Ku Hye-sun continues to forge an independent path. This broadcast will provide a deep look into the realistic struggles and growth she has experienced while balancing her identities as an artist and an entrepreneur.