Im Yoon-ah facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Im Yoon-ah
Yoona in July 2024
Born	(1990-05-30) May 30, 1990 (age 35) Seoul, South Korea
Education	Dongguk University (Theatre studies)
Occupation	Singer actress
Years active	2007–present
Musical career
Genres	K-pop
Instruments	Vocals
Labels	SM
Korean name
Hangul	임윤아
Revised Romanization	Im Yuna
McCune–Reischauer	Im Yuna
Stage name
Hangul	윤아
Revised Romanization	Yuna
McCune–Reischauer	Yuna
Signature

Im Yoon-ah (Hangul: 임윤아), known as Yoona, is a famous South Korean singer and actress. She was born on May 30, 1990. After training for five years, she joined the girl group Girls' Generation in August 2007. This group became one of the most popular and best-selling K-pop groups in South Korea and around the world.

Besides her music, Yoona is also a successful actress. She has starred in many TV shows and movies. Her role in You Are My Destiny (2008) made her very well-known. She won awards for Best New Actress for this role. Later, she gained more fame for her roles in dramas like The K2 (2016), Big Mouth (2022), and King the Land (2023). Her movies, such as Exit (2019) and Confidential Assignment 2: International (2022), were also very successful. In 2019, Yoona released her first solo music album, A Walk to Remember. Her success in both music and acting has made her a top "idol-actress" in the Hallyu movement.

Early Life and School

Yoona was born in Seoul, South Korea, on May 30, 1990. She grew up with her father and an older sister.

She finished high school in 2009. Later, she studied theater at Dongguk University. She graduated in February 2015 and even received an award for her achievements. Another member of Girls' Generation, Seohyun, also went to the same university. Yoona was also chosen as an ambassador for the university in 2014.

Career Highlights

Starting Out: 2002–2004

In 2002, Yoona joined SM Entertainment after an audition. She trained for five years in singing, dancing, and acting. Before she officially debuted, she appeared in music videos and commercials. Her first appearance was in TVXQ's music video "Magic Castle" in 2004.

Girls' Generation Debut and Acting: 2007–2015

Yoona officially became a member of Girls' Generation in August 2007. She was often seen as the "center" of the group. At the same time, she started her acting career. Her first small role was in the drama Two Outs in the Ninth Inning in 2007. She also appeared in Woman of Matchless Beauty in 2008.

Yoona in 2008

In May 2008, Yoona got her first main role in the drama You Are My Destiny. She played a character named Jang Sae-byuk. This drama was very popular, with high viewer ratings. This role helped Yoona become widely recognized. She won "Best New Actress" awards for it.

In 2009, she acted in the drama Cinderella Man.

In March 2012, Yoona starred in the drama Love Rain. She played two different characters in this fantasy drama. Even though the show didn't get high ratings in Korea, Yoona's acting received good reviews. Critics said her acting was improving very quickly. The drama was also popular overseas, especially in Japan.

In December 2013, Yoona played a young reporter in the romantic comedy Prime Minister & I. She won an Excellence Award at the 2013 KBS Drama Awards for her performance.

Yoona in 2014

In March 2016, Yoona released her first solo song, "Deoksugung Stonewall Walkway". She worked with the indie group 10cm on this song. It was a calm, easy-listening song that did well on music charts.

New Roles and Solo Music: 2016–Present

In April 2016, Yoona starred in her first Chinese drama, God of War, Zhao Yun. She played two roles in this historical drama. The show was a big success in China, with billions of views online. Because of this, Yoona released a Chinese mini-album called Blossom in August 2016. It featured her singing famous Mandarin songs.

In September 2016, Yoona took on a different kind of role in the action thriller The K2. She wanted to challenge herself and show a new side of her acting. Her hard work was noticed, and critics praised her performance.

In January 2017, Yoona made her movie debut in the action film Confidential Assignment. Her acting was well-received, and she won several awards for it. She then starred in the historical drama The King in Love. In September 2017, she released her second solo song, "When The Wind Blows".

Yoona in 2018

In 2018, Yoona joined the TV show Hyori's Homestay as a helper. She released her third solo song, "To You," after the show ended. In August 2018, a new Girls' Generation group called Oh!GG was formed. Yoona was part of this group, and they released the song "Lil' Touch."

To celebrate her 29th birthday, Yoona released her first solo album, A Walk to Remember, on May 30, 2019. It became the fastest-selling album by a female solo artist in its first day. In July 2019, Yoona starred in the disaster action movie Exit. This movie was a huge hit, attracting over nine million viewers. It was one of the highest-grossing films in South Korea. Her leading role in Exit earned her many awards and nominations.

At the end of 2020, Yoona returned to TV in the drama Hush, where she played an intern reporter. In 2021, she appeared in the romantic drama film Miracle: Letters to the President and the romantic comedy A Year-End Medley. She received more nominations for her acting in these films.

In 2022, she starred in the TV series Big Mouth. She also returned for the movie sequel, Confidential Assignment 2: International, which was also very successful. Her performances in both earned her praise and awards, including her first Best Supporting Actress award.

In 2023, Yoona played the main role in the romantic-comedy drama King the Land. This series became very popular worldwide, ranking number one on Netflix's global top 10 for non-English TV shows for three weeks.

Other Activities

Brand Endorsements

Yoona at an event for Innisfree in 2015

Yoona is known as a "CF Queen" because she has appeared in many TV commercials. She has been the face of various brands. CNN even said she helped make Korean beauty brands popular in China.

In 2010, she was the first idol to endorse S-Oil, a big South Korean oil company. From 2009 to 2020, Yoona was a long-term spokesperson for the cosmetics brand Innisfree. She has also worked with other major brands like Michael Kors, Estée Lauder, Pandora, Crocs, and Lee Jeans.

In October 2021, she became the first global ambassador for the Italian luxury fashion brand Miu Miu. In 2023, she became a global face for Miu Miu's Spring Summer collection. She also became a brand spokesperson for the luxury jewelry brand Qeelin. In 2024, she continued to be the global face for several Qeelin campaigns. In October 2024, Yoona was chosen as a brand ambassador for the Italian luxury house Valentino.

Ambassador Roles

Yoona has also served as an ambassador for important causes and organizations. In 2012, she was named an Honorary Ambassador for Jung District in Seoul. In 2014, she became an ambassador for UNICEF's "UNIHERO" campaign, which helps children in need.

She was also a promotional ambassador for the National Tax Service in 2015. In 2018, Yoona became a safety ambassador for a campaign promoting safety measures.

In 2019, Yoona became the first female celebrity to be appointed as an ambassador by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Tourism Organization. She helped launch the "Imagine Your Korea" campaign to attract more tourists. Advertisements for this campaign were shown in many countries and even in Times Square in New York City.

Helping Others

Yoona has given money to various charities over the years. She has supported causes like social welfare and medical aid, including during the COVID-19 pandemic. She is a member of the 'Honor Society' of the Community Chest of Korea, which means she has made significant donations.

Impact and Influence

As a member of Girls' Generation and a successful actress, Yoona is seen as a top "idol-actress" and an important figure in South Korea. She has endorsed almost 40 brands internationally. In 2016, Forbes magazine named her one of Asia's "30 under 30" most influential celebrities in entertainment and sports. Yoona has also hosted many big year-end events, including the Gayo Daejejeon for nine years in a row.

Music Releases

Extended Plays (Mini Albums)

Singles

Film and TV Roles

Awards and Nominations