"13,000 Won for one hair roll?"
Actress Gu Hye-sun's portable hair roll 'Kurol', which she developed and launched herself, has become the center of a heated price debate online. There are criticisms regarding its high pricing compared to market products, while others defend it as an innovative product utilizing patented technology.
Recently, Gu Hye-sun revealed the official sales information for 'Kurol' through her social media. The set price is 13,000 Won for one piece and 25,000 Won for a set of two, with a separate shipping fee of 3,000 Won. Considering that the existing hair roll market prices range from hundreds to thousands of Won, this is a shocking high-price policy.
◇ "It's not just simple plastic"… Innovative design that has undergone four processing stages
In response to the price controversy, Gu Hye-sun's side emphasized the difference in 'technology' and 'process'. Kurol adopts a unique method where it is flat for portability and only bends into a circle to secure hair when in use. To achieve this, a special material that allows shape retention was used, and it underwent a total of four rigorous processing stages, making the production cost incomparable to regular products.
The reactions from actual buyers are mixed, but there is a general appreciation for its functionality. Users have positively commented, saying, "It doesn't take up space, making it incredibly convenient for bag storage," and "It adds volume without tangling hair." However, the majority of reviews also pointed out the common sentiment that "the idea is good, but the price barrier is high."
◇ Pride in 'patented' engineering master's from KAIST
This product is noteworthy as it reflects engineering design beyond just being a celebrity merchandise. Gu Hye-sun graduated early from the master's program in engineering at KAIST (Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology) after attending Sungkyunkwan University, and she even received the Excellent Patent Award in 2025 for this product. She was recognized for her technical originality, receiving a special award in the creative talent category from her school.
Gu Hye-sun defined this business as "an effort to expand the unique hair roll culture of Korea." She intends to reinterpret the unique sight of Koreans going out while wearing hair rolls from a phenomenological perspective of 'K-Culture' and incorporate this narrative into the product.
