Biography of Im Yoon-ah
South Korean actress and singer Im Yoon-ah, mononymously known as Yoona, is known for her roles in the television series, ‘You Are My Destiny’, ‘Love Rain’, ‘Prime Minister & I’, ‘The K2’, ‘The King in Love’, ‘Hush’, ‘Big Mouth‘ and ‘King the Land’. Also, she appeared in some prominent film roles, ‘Confidential Assignment’ and ‘Exit‘. She is a successful singer of the group, Girls’ Generation.
Early Life and Education
Yoona was born on 30 May 1990 in Yeongdeungpo-gu of Seoul, South Korea. She was raised by her father and spent her childhood with her elder sister.
In 2002, Im Yoon-ah was selected for the SM Saturday Open Casting Audition and began singing, acting and dancing with a group of students at S.M Entertainment. Before joining Girls’ Generation, she spent almost five years training with SM.
Yoona graduated from Daeyoung High School in 2009, went to Dongguk University with fellow member Seohyun and received a Lifetime Achievement Award in addition to her Theatre degree in 2015.
Career
Yoona appeared in several music videos and commercials before her acting debut. In December 2004, she first appeared in TVXQ’s music video, ‘Magic Castle’ and made her official debut as a member of Girls’ Generation in August 2007.
Yoona started her acting career in 2007 with a minor role in the MBC drama, ‘Two Outs in the Ninth Inning’  starring Soo Ae, Lee Jung-jin, Lee Tae-sung and Hwang Ji-hyun in the lead roles.
In 2008, she played a role in the South Korean television drama, ‘Woman of Matchless Beauty’ starring Bae Jong-ok, Son Chang-min, Kim Min-jong and Han Go-eun in lead roles. She received compliments from the veteran actress Bae Jong-ok, for her cameo performance.
In the same year in May, she landed her first leading role in the drama, ‘You Are My Destiny’, costarring Park Jae-jung, Lee Ji-hoon and Gong Hyun-joo. She played the role of a milk-delivering woman Jang Sae-byuk who finds her way through Lohas’ design competition. This drama was a turning point in her career earning her appreciation and awards.
Along with actor Kwon Sang-woo, Yoona was cast in the 2009 television series, ‘Cinderella Man’, directed by Yeo Jeong-Joon. The drama was about lookalikes who live very different lives.
Im Yoon-ah played dual roles in the 2012 South Korean television series, ‘Love Rain’, with Jang Keun-suk, narrating the love story over two generations. Next year, she co-starred Lee Beom-soo in the romantic comedy-drama, ‘Prime Minister & I’.
She released her first solo single, ‘Deoksugung Stonewall Walkway’ in March 2016 collaborating with the South Korean indie group, ’10cm’, as part of SM Station. In the same year in April, she made her debut appearance in the Chinese drama, ‘God of War, Zhao Yun’ based on the Chinese novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms. Following the success, she released a mini-album, ‘Blossom’, in Chinese in August 2016.
Yoon-ah was cast in the 2016 action-thriller television series, ‘The K2’, with actors Ji Chang-wook and Song Yoon-ah in lead roles.
She made her film debut appearance with the action film, ‘Confidential Assignment’ in January 2017. She received a lot of appreciation from critics and viewers, leading her to win several awards. In the same year, she played a role in the historical drama, ‘The King in Love’, and released a second solo single, ‘When The Wind Blows’ as part of SM Station.
In 2018, she joined the second season of ‘Hyori’s Homestay’ as a new helper and released her third solo single, ‘To You’.
On 30 May 2019, Yoona released her debut extended play, ‘A Walk to Remember’ to celebrate her 29th birthday. The EP marked the fastest-selling album in its first 24 hours by a female soloist.
In the same year in July, Yoona appeared in South Korea’s highest-grossing disaster action film, ‘Exit’, co-starring  Jo Jung-suk.
She returned to the television series by the end of 2020 with JTBC’s office drama, ‘Hush’, playing the role of an intern reporter.
In 2021, Im Yoon-ah starred in the romantic drama film, ‘Miracle: Letters to the President’, co-starring  Park Jeong-min, Lee Sung-min and Lee Soo-kyung.
Next year Yoona was cast in the television series, ‘Big Mouth’ with Lee Jong-suk and Kim Joo-hun. In the drama, she played the role of Lee Jong Suk’s wife.
Achievements
South Korean actor and Girls’ Generation member Yoona achieved reasonably well in her acting and singing career. Here are some of her notable achievements.
- In 2023, Yoona won the Popularity Star Award for her role in ‘King the Land’ at the APAN Star Awards.
- Im Yoon-ah won the Best Couple Award alongside Lee Jun-ho for a role in ‘King the Land’ at the APAN Star Awards.
- Yoon-ah won the Best Actress award at the Asan Chungmugong International Action Film Festival for her role in ‘Exit’ in 2022.
Personal Life
As of 2024, Yoona is unmarried. She has been dating South Korean actor Lee Seung-gi since 2013, but there is no news about their marriage and relationship now. Yoona likes to keep her personal life private.
Net Worth and Lifestyle
The estimated net worth of Yoona is around 30 million US dollars as of 2024. She could amass her money with her prosperous career as a singer, actor, and model. She is one of the most popular celebrities in South Korea and she made a sizable sum of money from her appearances and endorsements.
Awards
- APAN Star Awards 2023
Popularity Star Award, Actress – ‘King the Land’ - APAN Star Awards 2023
Best Couple Award – Im Yoon-ah (with Lee Jun-ho) – ‘King the Land’
- Consumer Rights Day KCA Culture and Entertainment Awards 2023
2023 Viewers Choice – Actor of the Year – ‘King the Land’Â
- Asan Chungmugong International Action Film Festival 2022
Best Actress – ‘Exit’ - Blue Dragon Film Awards 2022
Popular Star Award – ‘Confidential Assignment 2: International’ - Grand Bell Awards 2022
Best Supporting Actress – ‘Confidential Assignment 2: International’
- Korea First Brand Awards 2022
Female Actress (Drama) – ‘Big Mouth’Â
- MBC Drama Awards 2022
Top Excellence Award, Actress in a Miniseries – Im Yoon-ah with Lee Jong-suk – ‘Big Mouth’Â
- Blue Dragon Film Awards 2021
Popular Star Award – ‘Miracle: Letters to the President’
- Golden Cinema Film Festival 2021
Popularity Award
- Weibo Starlight Awards 2021
Hall of Fame
- Asia Artist Awards 2019
Best Artist Award, Actress (Movie) – ‘Exit’Â
- Asia Artist Awards 2019
Best Social Artist, Actress - Blue Dragon Film Awards 2019
Popular Star Award –Â ‘Exit’ - Buil Film Awards 2019
Most Popular Actress – ‘Exit’
- Busan International Film Festival 2019
Marie Claire Asia Star Awards: Face of Asia Award
- Cosmo Glam Night 2019
Person of the Year
- International Film Festival and Awards Macao 2019
Asian Stars Up Next Award – ‘Exit’ - Korea First Brand Awards 2019
Female Movie Actress – ‘Exit’ - Women in Film Korea Festival 2019
Best New Actress – ‘Exit’
- Asia Artist Awards 2018
Trend Award - Asian Film Awards 2018
AFA Next Generation Award - International Film Festival and Awards Macao 2018
Talent Ambassador
- Soompi Awards 2018
Actress of the Year – ‘The King in Love’
- University Film Festival of Korea 2018
Best Actress Award – ‘Confidential Assignment’
- Asia Artist Awards 2017
Best Artist Award, Actress – ‘The King In Love’
- Asian TV Drama Conference 2017
Special Recognition Award for Contribution to Asian Cultural Exchange – ‘God of War, Zhao Yun’
- Baeksang Arts Awards 2017
Best New Actress (Film) – ‘Confidential Assignment’
- Busan International Film Festival 2017
Marie Claire Asia Star Awards: Rising Star Award – ‘Confidential Assignment’
- Elle Style Awards Korea 2017
K-style Icon - Korean Film Shining Star Awards 2017
Newcomer Award: Best New Actress – ‘Confidential Assignment’ - Marianas International Film Festival 2017
Best Popular Asian Actress – ‘Confidential Assignment’
- The Seoul Awards 2017
Popularity Award, Actress – ‘Confidential Assignment’
- Asia Artist Awards 2016
Asia Star Award, Actress – ‘The K2’Â
- Asia Artist Awards 2016
Popularity Award, Actress - KBS Drama Awards 2013
Excellence Award, Best Actress in a Miniseries – ‘Prime Minister and I’
- KBS Drama Awards 2013
Best Couple Award – Im Yoon-ah with Lee Beom-soo – ‘Prime Minister and I’Â
- KBS Drama Awards 2012
Netizen Award – ‘Love Rain’
- Busan International Film Festival 2011
Christian Dior: Best Dressed Celebrity of the Year
- Baeksang Arts Awards 2010
Most Popular Actress (TV) – ‘Cinderella Man’
- Baeksang Arts Awards 2009
Best New Actress (TV) – ‘You Are My Destiny’ - KBS Drama Awards 2008
Best New Actress – ‘You Are My Destiny’ - Korea Drama Awards 2008
Korea Drama Awards – ‘You Are My Destiny’
Interesting Facts about Im Yoon-ah
- Yoona can speak Chinese, English and Korean fluently.
- Yoon-ah was involved in the brand endorsement of the famous cosmetics firm Innisfree.
- Yoona is a member of the Girls’ Generation music group.
- Im Yoon-ah enjoys cooking.
FAQs
- What is the Instagram ID of Im Yoon-ah?
im.yoona.lim - When is the birthday of Im Yoon-ah?
30 May - Im Yoon-ah belongs under which agency?
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