Im Yoon-ah

Im Yoon-ah (Korean: 임윤아; born May 30, 1990), also known mononymously as Yoona, is a South Korean singer and actress. After training for five years, she debuted as a member of girl group Girls' Generation (and later its subgroup Girls' 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 various television dramas, notably You Are My Destiny (2008), which marked her career breakthrough and earned her the Best New Actress award at the 45th Baeksang Arts Awards.

Im has since achieved further public attention and acting acclaim with a variety of role-types in The K2 (2016), Big Mouth (2022), and King the Land (2023). Her film work includes Confidential Assignment (2017), Exit (2019), her first leading role, and Confidential Assignment 2: International (2022), all of which are among the highest-grossing films in South Korea. On May 30, 2019, Im released her debut extended play A Walk to Remember, charting at number three on South Korea's Gaon Album Chart. In 2025, Im starred in the wildly popular Bon Appétit, Your Majesty, where she was cast as a three star Michelin chef who was transported back in time to become the chief royal cook for a Joseon king.

The success of Im's music and acting careers have led her to various CF deals, notably long-term collaborator Innisfree, and have established her as a top idol-actress of Hallyu.

Im was born on May 30, 1990, in Daerim-dong, Yeongdeungpo District, Seoul, South Korea. Her family consists of her father and an older sister by five years.

Im graduated from Daeyoung High School in 2009. She went on to major in theater studies and graduated from Dongguk University in February 2015, receiving a lifetime achievement award at the graduation ceremony. Her fellow Girls' Generation member, Seohyun, attended the same university. She was also chosen as an ambassador for the university in 2014, alongside Apink's Naeun and actress Park Ha-sun.

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. Prior to debuting, Im was introduced to the public through various appearances in music videos and commercials; she first appeared in TVXQ's "Magic Castle" music video in December 2004.

She made her official debut as a member of Girls' Generation in August 2007, becoming the "center" of the group. Apart from Girls' Generation's activities, Im has acted in several television dramas. Her acting career began in 2007 with a minor role in MBC's drama Two Outs in the Ninth Inning. She then appeared in MBC's Woman of Matchless Beauty (2008), and was complimented by veteran actress Bae Jong-ok for her cameo performance.

In May 2008, Im landed her first leading role in KBS's drama You 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. She considered the role a turning point in her career, and won two "Best New Actress" awards at the 2008 KBS Drama Awards and 45th Baeksang Arts Awards.