Lim Yoona (also known as Yoona) is a South Korean singer and actress. She debuted as a member of the girl group Girls' Generation in August 2007, which became one of South Korea's best-selling acts and one of its most widely known girl groups abroad. Alongside her group work, she has built a career in television dramas and films, earning acting awards and acclaim, and she is regarded as a leading idol-actress of the Korean Wave.
Early life and training
Lim was born in 1990 in Seoul. She trained for five years after being cast in the SM Saturday Open Casting Audition in 2002, practising singing, dancing and acting. Before her debut she appeared in music videos and commercials, including TVXQ's "Magic Castle" video. She graduated from Daeyoung High School in 2009 and later studied theater at Dongguk University, graduating in 2015.
Acting breakthrough
Her breakthrough came with the KBS drama You Are My Destiny in 2008, her first leading role, which drew high viewer ratings and won her the Best New Actress award at the 45th Baeksang Arts Awards. Later dramas such as Love Rain and Prime Minister & I brought further recognition. Her film debut, the action thriller Confidential Assignment in 2017, was also well received and brought her newcomer awards.
Solo work and later roles
Lim released her first solo single in 2016 as part of SM Station and an extended play, A Walk to Remember, in 2019. Her later television work includes The K2, Big Mouth and King the Land, while her films Exit and Confidential Assignment 2: International were among the highest-grossing in South Korea. She has also endorsed brands, notably Innisfree.