Im Yoon-ah (Korean: 임윤아; born May 30, 1990), also known mononymously asYoona, is a South Korean singer and actress. After training for five years, she debuted as a member of girl groupGirls' Generation (and later its subgroupGirls' Generation-Oh!GG) in August 2007, which went on to become one of the best-selling artists in South Korea and one of South Korea's most widely known girl groups worldwide. Apart from her group's activities, Im has participated in varioustelevision dramas, notablyYou Are My Destiny (2008), which marked her career breakthrough and earned her the Best New Actress award at the45th Baeksang Arts Awards.
The success of Im's music and acting careers have led her to variousCF deals, notably long-term collaboratorInnisfree, and have established her as a topidol-actress ofHallyu.[3]
Im graduated from Daeyoung High School in 2009.[8] She went on to major intheater studies and graduated fromDongguk University in February 2015, receiving a lifetime achievement award at the graduation ceremony. Her fellow Girls' Generation member,Seohyun, attended the same university.[9][10] She was also chosen as an ambassador for the university in 2014, alongsideApink'sNaeun and actressPark Ha-sun.[11]
In 2002, she was cast in the SM Saturday Open Casting Audition and spent five years "doing nothing but constant training" in singing, dancing and acting.[12] Prior to debuting, Im was introduced to the public through various appearances in music videos and commercials; she first appeared inTVXQ's "Magic Castle" music video in December 2004.[13]
2007–2015: Debut with Girls' Generation and acting career
She made her official debut as a member ofGirls' Generation in August 2007, becoming the "center" of the group.[12][14] Apart from Girls' Generation's activities, Ik has acted in several television dramas. Her acting career began in 2007 with a minor role in MBC's dramaTwo Outs in the Ninth Inning.[15] She then appeared in MBC'sWoman of Matchless Beauty (2008), and was complimented by veteran actressBae Jong-ok for her cameo performance.[16]
Im in 2008
In May 2008, Im landed her first leading role in KBS's dramaYou Are My Destiny, playing the character Jang Sae-byuk. The drama achieved viewer ratings of up to 41.5%, and Im received wider public recognition.[12][17] She considered the role a turning point in her career,[18] and won two "Best New Actress" awards at the 2008KBS Drama Awards[19] and 45thBaeksang Arts Awards.[20]
In March 2012, Im was cast in a lead role alongsideJang Geun Suk in KBS2's dramaLove Rain, a fantasy drama about fate where the offspring of an ill-fated couple who met in the 1970s, meet and fall in love with each other in the modern era.[23][24] Im played two characters: Yun-hee of the 70s and Ha-na of modern times.[25][26] Although the drama scored low domestic viewership[27] and was criticized for its failure to relate to the viewers,[28] Im's acting received positive reviews. Yoon Ga-ee of OSEN wrote: "The speed at which her acting is improving is blinding. She has matured to the point where you want to ask, 'When did her acting get so good?' The criticism that trailed behind her duringCinderella Man is now nowhere to be found."[29] Choi In-kyung ofHankook Ilbo said her acting was continuously improving and "Yoona is completely immersed in her character and has now become 'Hana' herself."[30] The drama garnered much positive overseas interest[31][32] and was sold to Japan for $10 million, the second highest price for a KBS drama at the time, partly due to Im's popularity.[33]
In December 2013, Im starred alongsideLee Beom-soo in KBS2's romantic comedy dramaPrime Minister & I.[34] Loosely based on the musical filmThe Sound of Music,[35] Im played Nam Da-jung, a young and stubborn reporter who falls in love with the prime minister. The drama received low ratings but Im's performance was praised[12][36] and she won an Excellence Award at the2013 KBS Drama Awards for the role.[37]
Im in 2014
In March 2016, Im released her first solo single "Deoksugung Stonewall Walkway", a collaboration with the South Korean indie group10cm, as part ofSM Station.[38] The urban-pop song peaked at number 24 onGaon Digital Chart.[39]Fuse described it as "breezy and easy-listening" and complimented how "lovely" Im delivered the song.[40]
In April 2016, Im was cast in her debut Chinese dramaGod of War, Zhao Yun, based on the Chinese novelRomance of the Three Kingdoms.[41] She played dual roles–one falls in love with the male lead character but later finds out he killed her father while the other is skilled in martial arts.[42] The drama's viewership ratings peaked at more than 2%, which was described to be "a huge success" relative to China's large population. It also recorded more than 10 billion hits through various online videos sites, reflecting Im's popularity in China.[43] Following the success, in August 2016, Im released a Chinese digital mini-album titledBlossom, which contains her renditions of well-known Mandarin songs.[44]
In September 2016, Im starred intvN's action thrillerThe K2.[45][46] Tired of being typecast with a candy-like image and having always been burdened by the idol-actress prejudice, Im cast away the public perception and focused on the role as her "personal challenge."[3][47] Her effort gained positive viewers' recognition,[48] and earned her acting acclaim from critics.[1][2][49]
In January 2017, Im made her film debut in action film,Confidential Assignment.[50] Im performance was well-received,[51] and she won several awards such as the AFA Next Generation Award at theAsian Film Awards[52] and the Newcomer Award at the Korean Film Shining Star Awards.[53]She then starred in MBC's historical dramaThe King in Love, an adaptation of the novel of the same name by Kim Yi-ryung.[54][55] In September 2017, Im released her second solo single "When The Wind Blows" as part of SM Station.[56]
Im in 2018
In 2018, Im joined the second season ofHyori's Homestay as a new helper.[57] She released her third solo single "To You" at the conclusion of the variety show.[58] In August 2018, a Girls' Generation subgroup namedOh!GG was formed with Im alongside the four other members who had decided to renew their contracts with SM entertainment; the group released the single "Lil' Touch".[59]
To celebrate her 29th birthday, Im released her debut extended playA Walk to Remember on May 30, 2019.[60] The EP became the fastest-selling album in its first 24 hours by a female soloist.[61] In July of the same year, Im starred in the disaster action filmExit alongsideJo Jung-suk.[62] It became the most popular movie of the summer and one of thehighest-grossing films in South Korea by attracting over nine million viewers.[63] Her first leading role earned her several wins and nominations, including her firstBlue Dragon andChunsa Film Art Awards Best Actress nominations, and a Best Actress win at the 1st Asan Chungmugong International Action Film Festival.
In 2023, she was cast as the lead in the romantic-comedy dramaKing the Land alongsideLee Jun-ho.[71] The series ranked number one on theNetflix's Weekly Global Top 10 in non-English TV show category for 3 weeks.[72]
Im during promotional event forInnisfree in Shanghai in January 2015
Im has been called a "CF Queen" due to her several television commercial films, and has been a spokesperson for various brands.[73][74]CNN credited her as "one of the household names in the Asia-Pacific region" which has helped Korean beauty brands become popular in China.[75]
Before debuting in 2007, she became a model for the skin care brandClean & Clear and Haitai Beverage's aid drink brand Sunkist Lemonade & Grapefruit Ade.[76] In 2010, she became the first idol to endorse S-Oil, a large South Korean petroleum and refinery company.[77] In 2012, she appeared in at least 20 commercials and was ranked fifth among celebrities with the most commercial appearances by TVCF, South Korea's largest advertisement information site.[78][79] In 2013, she became the first overseas endorser for Alcon Taiwan.[80][81]
In October 2021, she became the first person to be selected as global ambassador for Italian luxury fashion brandMiu Miu.[90] In January 2023, Im became the global face of the Miu Miu's 2023 Spring Summer collection campaign, alongsideEmma Corrin,Kendall Jenner,Quintessa Swindell,Karolin Wolter, and more.[91] In July 2023, Hong Kong-based luxury jewellery brandQeelin announced her as its brand spokesperson.[92] In October 2023, Im became the global face of the Qeelin's Wulu 18 Diamond campaign.[93] In December 2023, she became the global face of the Qeelin's Bo Bo Collection campaign alongsideLiu Shishi.[94]
In January 2024, she became the global face of the Qeelin's Wulu Echo Collection campaign.[95] Later in May 2024, she became the global face of the Qeelin's New Yu Yi Collection campaign alongsideLay Zhang.[96] As of August 28, 2024, Im has been promoted to global brand spokesperson for Qeelin.[97][98] On October 1, 2024, Im was selected as the brand ambassador for Italian luxury houseValentino, after attending the first show of creative directorAlessandro Michele to present the brand's Spring/Summer 2025 Collection.[99][100][101] On February 27, 2025, Amorepacific's premier beauty brandSulwhasoo appointed Im as its global brand ambassador.[102]
In 2012, Im was appointed as the Honorary Ambassador ofJung District, Seoul.[103] In 2014, Im was appointed as ambassador forUNICEF's campaign, "UNIHERO", which aims to invite people to become heroes for the less fortunate children all around the globe.[104] In 2015, Im was named promotional ambassador for the National Tax Service. She has also received presidential commendation for having paid her taxes faithfully.[105] In 2016, Im participated in Crocs' "Come As You Are" campaign as one of the global ambassadors.[106] In 2018, Im was appointed as a safety ambassador for the Central Council for Safe Culture Campaign, held to pledge safety measures and eradication of dangerous activities such as speeding and illegal parking that prevents the entry of fire trucks.[107]
In 2019, Im became the first female celebrity to be appointed as an ambassador by theMinistry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and theKorea Tourism Organization.[108][109] Starting September 2019, an advertisement campaign "Imagine Your Korea" was launched to improve Korean tourism awareness and attract more foreign tourists. The advertisements were displayed in countries such as China, Japan, Thailand, the Philippines, Vietnam and Malaysia. It was also displayed inTimes Square every day until January 2021.[110]
As a member of Girls' Generation and a successful actress, Im has been hailed as a topidol-actress and a prominentSouth Korean figure.[3] Having appeared inCFs even before her Girls' Generation debut, the success of Im's music and acting careers has led her to individually endorse almost 40 brands internationally, notably long-time collaboratorInnisfree, including ten in 2019 alone.[116] In 2016, Im was listed byForbes magazine as one of Asia's "30 under 30" most influential celebrities in the category of entertainment and sports.[117] Im has also distinguished herself by being selected to host for many year-end galas.[118] In particular, she has been the MC of theGayo Daejejeon for nine consecutive years.[119]
^abNo, Han-sol (October 12, 2016).[스타포커스] 윤아, '연기돌' 벗고 '연기자'로... '이젠 믿고 보자 임윤아' [Im Yoon-ah shed her acting-idol title and become the real actress...believe in the Im Yoon-ah you see now].TopStarNews (in Korean).Archived from the original on July 29, 2017. RetrievedNovember 20, 2016.
^abc[D터뷰] "다시 만난, 연기 세계"...임윤아, 캔디의 작별사 [[D Interview] "Into The Acting World"...Im Yoon-ah, Farewell to Candy Character].Dispatch (in Korean). November 27, 2016.Archived from the original on November 27, 2016. RetrievedNovember 27, 2016.
^동국대, 윤아·서현 등 동문 연예인 19명 홍보대사 위촉 [Dongguk University appoints 19 celebrity alumni, including Yoona and Seohyun, as public relations ambassadors].Aju Economic Daily (in Korean). September 17, 2014.Archived from the original on January 1, 2024. RetrievedJanuary 1, 2024.
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^Kim, Ji-won (April 20, 2021).박정민X임윤아 '기적', 6월 개봉 확정 [공식] [Park Jung-min x Lim Yoon-ah'miracle' confirmed to be released in June [Official]].Ten Asia (in Korean).Naver.Archived from the original on April 24, 2021. RetrievedApril 24, 2021.
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^Kim, Hyun-rok (November 7, 2022).헤어질 결심, 43회 청룡영화상 13개 부문 최다 후보...한산 헌트 10개 후보[공식] [Decision to break up, the most nominations in 13 categories at the 43rd Blue Dragon Film Awards... 10 candidates for Hansan and Hunt [Official].SporTV News (in Korean).Archived from the original on November 8, 2022. RetrievedNovember 7, 2022 – viaNaver.
^Lee, Ho-young (December 31, 2022).'킹더랜드' 이준호X임윤아 제동 걸린 사랑...출연자 화제성 여전히 '1위' [Lim Yoon-ah of 'Right Dragon Point' wins 2 awards for Best Acting and Best Couple at '2022 MBC Drama Awards'] (in Korean).iMBC.Archived from the original on May 11, 2024. RetrievedMay 11, 2024.
^Park, Jung-sun (April 20, 2022).이준호·임윤아, 드라마 '킹더랜드' 출연 [Lee Jun-ho and Im Yoon-ah to appear in the drama 'King the Land'] (in Korean).JTBC.Archived from the original on September 27, 2022. RetrievedApril 20, 2022 – viaNaver.
^Kwon, Soo-bin (August 2, 2023).'킹더랜드' 이준호X임윤아 제동 걸린 사랑...출연자 화제성 여전히 '1위' ['King the Land' Lee Jun-ho x Lim Yoon-ah Love put on hold... The topicality of the performer is still '1st place'] (in Korean). NewsCulture.Archived from the original on May 11, 2024. RetrievedMay 11, 2024.
^Park Eun-kyung (July 16, 2007).'여자 슈주', '소녀시대'로 활짝 ['Female Super Junior', 'Girls' Generation'].Joy News 24 (in Korean).Archived from the original on February 27, 2025. RetrievedFebruary 27, 2025.첫 번째 티저 영상으로 공개된 멤버 윤아는 이미 CF와 뮤직비디오를 통해 얼굴을 알렸으며, 현재 클린앤클리어, 썬키스트 레몬에이드&자몽에이드 모델로 활약 중이다. [Member Yoona, who was revealed in the first teaser video, has already become known through CFs and music videos, and is currently working as a model for Clean & Clear and Sunkist Lemonade & Grapefruit Ade.]
^美國潮流丹寧Lee Jeans 邀請亞洲巨星潤娥代言BODY OPTIX™優形丹寧 360°零死角完美塑身 3D翹臀展現迷人曲線 [American fashion denim Lee Jeans invites Asia Mega Star Yoona to endorse BODY OPTIX™ 360° Body Enhancement display mesmerising body shape with a 3D perky bottom].Yahoo Fashion Beauty Editor Group (in Chinese). January 14, 2017.Archived from the original on August 23, 2017. RetrievedJanuary 15, 2017.
^Yoona潤娥代言Qeelin 揭示當代東方美！ [Yoona endorses Qeelin to reveal contemporary oriental beauty!].Vogue Taiwan (in Chinese). July 5, 2023.Archived from the original on July 6, 2023. RetrievedJuly 6, 2023.
^潤娥升格Qeelin全球代言人 美戴葫蘆吊墜蠻腰、天鵝頸一次露 [Yoona has been promoted to Qeelin's global spokesperson. She wears a gourd pendant to reveal her waist and swan neck.].Nextapple News (in Chinese (Taiwan)). September 19, 2024.Archived from the original on September 30, 2024. RetrievedSeptember 30, 2024.
^임윤아, 발렌티노 새로운 브랜드 앰버서더 발탁 [Im Yoon-ah selected as Valentino's new brand ambassador] (in Korean). Star Today. October 1, 2024.Archived from the original on October 1, 2024. RetrievedOctober 1, 2024 – viaNaver.
^Kim Jin-hee (February 27, 2025).[단독] 소녀시대 윤아, 아모레퍼시픽 '설화수' 새 얼굴 발탁 [[Exclusive] Girls' Generation's Yoona, Amore Pacific's 'Sulwhasoo' New Face] (in Korean). News 1.Archived from the original on February 27, 2025. RetrievedFebruary 27, 2025 – viaNaver.아모레퍼시픽(090430) '설화수'가 새로운 글로벌 앰배서더로 가수 겸 배우 임윤아를 발탁했다. [Amorepacific (090430) 'Sulwhasoo' selected singer and actress Im Yoon-ah as its new global ambassador.]
^장우성 (April 9, 2018).소녀시대 윤아, 선행으로 중구 '명예의 전당' 헌액 [Girls' Generation's Yoona, inducted into Jung-gu 'Hall of Fame' for good deeds].Naver (in Korean).News1.Archived from the original on January 13, 2023. RetrievedJanuary 13, 2023.
^강서정 (February 28, 2020).윤아, 코로나19 1억원 기부 "대구경북에 힘 보태고자"[공식] [Yoona, Corona 19 Donation of 100 million won "To help Daegu-Gyeongbuk" [Official]].Chosun (in Korean).OSEN [ko].Archived from the original on January 13, 2023. RetrievedJanuary 13, 2023.
^임윤아, 산불 피해 지역 복구를 위해 1억 원 기부 [Im Yoon-ah donates 100 million won to help recover areas affected by wildfires].Naver (in Korean).Herald Economy. March 28, 2025.Archived from the original on March 28, 2025. RetrievedMarch 28, 2025.
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