Im Yoon Ah Movies and TV Shows: From K-pop Star to Leading Actress

Im Yoon Ah movies and TV shows have achieved remarkable success, with her 2023 drama "King the Land" ranking number one on Netflix's Weekly Global Top 10 for three consecutive weeks. Known professionally as Yoona, she first stepped into the entertainment industry as a member of Girls' Generation in 2007, quickly becoming one of South Korea's best-selling artists.

Throughout her acting career, Yoona has demonstrated exceptional versatility, notably earning the Best New Actress award at the 45th Baeksang Arts Awards for "You Are My Destiny," which achieved impressive viewer ratings of 41.5%. From romantic dramas like "Love Rain" to action-packed films such as "Confidential Assignment," she has established herself as a leading figure in both television and cinema, earning recognition as a top idol-actress of Hallyu.

From Trainee to Idol: Yoona’s Early Career

Before becoming a leading actress, Im Yoon Ah began her entertainment journey as a trainee at one of South Korea's prestigious talent agencies. Her path from an aspiring performer to one of K-pop's most recognizable faces laid the foundation for her later success in film and television.

Her SM Entertainment training journey

In 2002, a 12-year-old Im Yoon Ah walked into SM Entertainment's offices after being spotted by a talent scout while shopping with friends. Unlike many trainees who attend multiple auditions, Yoona passed her first and only audition, immediately impressing executives with her natural beauty and presence. This marked the beginning of what would become a five-year training period before her official debut.

During these formative years, Yoona underwent the notoriously rigorous SM Entertainment training system. Her daily schedule typically included:

Vocal training and dance practice (often 8-10 hours daily)
Acting lessons to develop on-screen presence
Foreign language studies, particularly Japanese and English
Personality development and media training

Initially focusing primarily on dancing, Yoona gradually developed her singing abilities while showing particular promise in acting classes. This well-rounded training approach proved crucial for her future career diversification. Throughout this period, she appeared in numerous music videos for established SM artists, including "Magic Castle" by TVXQ and "U" by Super Junior, giving her valuable on-camera experience prior to her official debut.

Debut with Girls' Generation and rise to fame

On August 5, 2007, after completing her extensive training, Yoona debuted as a member of Girls' Generation (also known as SNSD) alongside eight other members. Their first single "Into the New World" showcased their synchronized choreography and youthful energy, though it wasn't an immediate nationwide sensation.

However, the group's fortunes changed dramatically in 2009 with the release of "Gee," which topped various Korean music charts for nine consecutive weeks—an unprecedented achievement at that time. The song's infectious chorus and colorful music video turned Girls' Generation into household names across Asia.

Within the group, Yoona quickly emerged as the "center" member—a position typically given to the member who best represents the group's image. Her exceptional visual appeal and natural camera presence made her particularly popular with advertisers. Subsequently, she secured numerous endorsement deals, becoming one of the most recognized faces in South Korean advertising.

Furthermore, Girls' Generation's expansion into the Japanese market in 2011 with their first Japanese album elevated their international status. The album sold over 870,000 copies, establishing them as a formidable force in both Korean and Japanese entertainment industries.

Meanwhile, Yoona's prominence within the group opened doors to acting opportunities, allowing her to pursue parallel careers. Nevertheless, she continued her activities with Girls' Generation while taking on acting roles, demonstrating her exceptional work ethic and versatility.

By 2010, just three years after debut, Yoona had already established herself as a triple threat—singer, dancer, and actress—with her trajectory pointing toward even greater success in the Korean entertainment industry. This idol foundation provided her with the platform, fanbase, and industry connections that would later support her transition into becoming one of Korea's most successful idol-turned-actresses.

First Steps into Acting: Early TV Roles

While balancing her responsibilities as a Girls' Generation member, Im Yoon Ah took her first tentative steps into the acting world, marking the beginning of what would become an equally successful parallel career.

Breakthrough with 'You Are My Destiny'

Yoona's acting journey officially began in 2007 with a minor role in MBC's drama "Two Outs in the Ninth Inning". This modest start, coupled with a brief cameo in the 2008 drama "Woman of Matchless Beauty, Park Jung Kum," allowed her to gain valuable on-screen experience and drew positive attention from media and senior actors.

The true turning point in her acting career came in May 2008, when she secured her first leading role in KBS's drama "You Are My Destiny". Playing the character Jang Sae-byuk, Yoona demonstrated that she could carry a major production despite her relative inexperience. The drama proved to be an extraordinary success, starting with viewership ratings above 20% in its first episode and eventually reaching a remarkable peak of 41.6% during its finale.

Her performance in "You Are My Destiny" earned Yoona significant recognition across the industry. At just 19 years old, she collected an impressive array of accolades:

Best New Actress at the 2008 KBS Drama Awards
Best New Actress at the 45th Baeksang Arts Awards
Netizen Award at the 2008 KBS Drama Awards
Netizen Popularity Award at the 2008 Korea Drama Awards

Yoona herself has acknowledged that this role represented a crucial milestone, stating she considered it "a turning point in her career". Despite her youth making certain aspects of the character challenging to portray, she expressed gratitude for finally landing a starring role.

Initial challenges and public reception

Beneath the surface of her eventual success lay a story of remarkable persistence. Despite being known as the "nation's center" after her debut with Girls' Generation, Yoona's path to acting recognition was filled with obstacles.

Most strikingly, she faced repeated rejection in her early attempts to break into acting. According to multiple sources, Yoona was turned down in over 100 casting opportunities before finally securing her first role. Some reports suggest the number might be even higher, with Yoona herself revealing that she auditioned approximately 200 times for commercials, movies, and dramas before her debut.

"I auditioned a lot before my debut," she recalled during an appearance on the YouTube show 'Fairy Jaehyung.' "I auditioned for commercials, movies, and dramas about 200 times in total. Some of them I got accepted to, and some I got rejected from".

Even after achieving fame and securing major roles, Yoona continued to face criticism regarding her acting abilities. Critics often dismissed her as a "talentless visual" rather than a legitimate actress. Her performances in early works such as "Cinderella Man," "Love Rain," and even her Chinese project "God of War, Zhao Yun" received mixed reviews, with many questioning her acting skills.

Nevertheless, these challenges didn't deter her. Despite the criticism, most of her early works achieved significant commercial success. Each new role provided an opportunity for growth, with Yoona reflecting that "I grew up through acting in different dramas and movies". This resilient attitude would eventually help her evolve from an idol dabbling in acting to a respected actress in her own right.

Romantic Dramas That Defined Her Image

Following her early television appearances, Im Yoon Ah ventured into more complex romantic roles that would significantly influence how audiences perceived her as an actress. These projects marked a pivotal transition in her career, moving beyond her initial image as simply an idol-actress to a performer with genuine acting potential.

Love Rain and Prime Minister & I

In March 2012, Yoona starred alongside Jang Geun-suk in KBS2's fantasy drama "Love Rain," directed by Yoon Seok-ho, known for his previous hit dramas "Autumn in My Heart" and "Winter Sonata". This project showcased her versatility as she portrayed dual characters: Kim Yoon-hee from the 1970s and Jung Ha-na in modern times. Despite achieving modest domestic viewership ratings of only 5.1% nationwide, the drama became an international sensation, particularly in Japan.

"Love Rain" was a high-budget production, costing approximately ₩450 million per episode for a total of ₩9 billion (about USD 10 million). Impressively, it was pre-sold to Japan for the highest price among Korean dramas that year and eventually exported to 12 countries across Asia and Europe.

After this, Yoona took on another significant romantic role in December 2013, starring in KBS2's "Prime Minister & I" opposite respected actor Lee Beom-soo. Loosely inspired by "The Sound of Music," she portrayed Nam Da-jung, a determined young tabloid reporter who becomes entangled with the country's youngest prime minister. Similar to "Love Rain," this series also received relatively low ratings domestically but garnered positive responses for Yoona's performance.

How these roles shaped her public persona

These romantic dramas marked a dramatic turning point in how critics and audiences perceived Yoona's acting abilities. First and foremost, her performance in "Love Rain" earned unexpected praise from critics who had previously been skeptical. Yoon Ga-ee of OSEN noted: "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?'". Moreover, Choi In-kyung of Hankook Ilbo observed that Yoona had become "completely immersed in her character".

"Prime Minister & I" further solidified her growth as an actress, earning her an Excellence Award at the 2013 KBS Drama Awards. Critics pointed to several qualities that distinguished her performances:

Her ability to portray both bubbly and emotional scenes with sincerity
Natural chemistry with more experienced co-stars
Improved emotional range compared to earlier works
Likability factor that made viewers connect with her characters

Throughout this period, Yoona successfully began reshaping her public image from "just another idol trying acting" to a legitimate actress worthy of leading roles. As one reviewer noted about her performance in "Prime Minister & I": "Her likability counts for a whole lot, and can make up for a multitude of shortcomings".

Consequently, these romantic dramas established Yoona's screen persona as someone who could bring both warmth and depth to her characters—a foundation she would build upon as she ventured into more diverse genres in subsequent years.

Action and Thriller Roles: Breaking the Mold

After establishing herself in romantic dramas, Im Yoon Ah took a bold step into action and thriller genres, challenging the typical "candy-like" image that had defined her early career. This strategic move would ultimately reshape public perception of her acting capabilities.

The K2 and her transformation

In September 2016, Yoona starred in tvN's action thriller "The K2" opposite Ji Chang-Wook. The drama centered around Kim Je-Ha (Chang-Wook), a former soldier wrongfully accused of his girlfriend's murder who becomes a bodyguard while plotting revenge. Yoona portrayed Go An-Na, a character with sociophobia—markedly different from her previous bright, cheerful roles.

"I think my perspective on acting has changed. Acting has become more fun for me, and my curiosity about it has grown," Yoona revealed after the project. This role represented a personal challenge, as she was "tired of being typecast with a candy-like image and having always been burdened by the idol-actress prejudice".

The production itself broke new ground, becoming the first Korean television drama to introduce the Bullet Time effect. It also featured sophisticated action scenes incorporating systema, taekwondo, aikido, and jujutsu.

One particularly demanding scene required Yoona to film a screaming sequence approximately ten times. "I don't even remember what we filmed because I was so exhausted by the end," she admitted, adding, "I usually don't have any reason to scream, so I was unsure how to do the scene". Her dedication paid off, earning her acting acclaim from critics.

Confidential Assignment and its success

In January 2017, Yoona made her film debut in the action film "Confidential Assignment" as Park Min-young. The story followed a North Korean detective (Hyun Bin) who travels to South Korea to collaborate with a South Korean detective (Yoo Hae-jin) in pursuing a criminal.

The film proved immensely successful, leading to a sequel "Confidential Assignment 2: International" in 2022, which likewise became one of South Korea's highest-grossing films. The sequel had an impressive opening day, topping the local box office with over 216,000 ticket sales. Within just 26 days of release, it surpassed 6 million moviegoers, becoming the third Korean film to achieve this milestone that year.

For Yoona, these roles held special significance. "Confidential Assignment is my film debut and since my character has gotten so much love, I felt very thankful and happy to reprise the role of Min-young," she stated.

Her performances in both films garnered substantial recognition, including the AFA Next Generation Award at the Asian Film Awards, the Newcomer Award at the Korean Film Shining Star Awards, and Best Supporting Actress at the 58th Grand Bell Awards.

Comedy and Slice-of-Life: Showing Her Range

Stepping into the world of comedy, Im Yoona ventured beyond her dramatic roles to reveal yet another dimension of her acting abilities, proving she could excel at making audiences laugh as well as making them cry.

Exit and her comedic timing

In 2019, Yoona took on the physically demanding role of Eui-ju in the disaster comedy film "Exit," co-starring alongside Jo Jung-seok. The film broke records as the fastest Korean movie to reach 1 million moviegoers, achieving this milestone just two days after its release. Within a week, it had surpassed 3 million admissions.

For this role, Yoona pushed her physical limits, performing scenes that required her to climb buildings to escape a mysterious toxic gas threatening Seoul. "When I first read the script, I wondered whether I would be able to handle the physical challenges," she admitted. Her preparation included regular exercise to build stamina for the demanding scenes.

The filming process tested her endurance to the extreme. After particularly grueling sequences, she recalled, "I collapsed and cried after the director said 'cut.' It was tiring, painful and, most of all, I wanted to move but couldn't even stand up".

Critics praised her performance, with one reviewer noting that "Yoona has markedly improved her acting with her first lead role" and that "whether she's ugly-crying, laughing or punching her boss in the face for harassment in a nod to #MeToo, she does it with a light, empathic touch".

King the Land and her chemistry with co-stars

In 2023, Yoona returned to television with the romantic comedy "King the Land," starring opposite 2PM's Lee Jun-ho. The series marked a deliberate shift from her previous work. "I wanted to dramatically turn away from my previous work, which was a dark noir drama, and meet with viewers through a bright and bubbly character," Yoona explained.

Her portrayal of Cheon Sa-rang, a hotel employee known for her perpetual positivity and genuine smile, showcased her natural flair for light-hearted comedy. The drama director, Im Hyun-wook, particularly highlighted the exceptional on-screen chemistry between the leads: "The chemistry between Yoona and Junho was so good that it was easy to get the best-looking image on screen".

Simultaneously, their connection resonated with audiences, making them one of the most talked-about K-drama couples of the year. "I do think that our chemistry is very good. And that is essential to romantic comedies," Yoona observed.

Above all, these comedy roles demonstrated Yoona's versatility, adding significant depth to her filmography and cementing her status as an actress capable of mastering multiple genres.

Yoona’s Film Career: From Cameos to Lead Roles

Parallel to her television success, Im Yoon Ah gradually built an impressive film portfolio, transitioning from minor appearances to becoming a bankable movie star capable of drawing audiences to theaters nationwide.

Her first film appearances

Im Yoon Ah's silver screen journey began quietly with small but significant appearances that laid the groundwork for her film career. Her first official film role came in 2012 with a special appearance in "SMTOWN The Stage," a documentary feature showcasing SM Entertainment artists. Although not a traditional acting role, this exposure helped familiarize cinema audiences with her presence on the big screen.

In 2015, she made her narrative film debut with a cameo in "Miracle in Cell No. 7," which became one of Korea's highest-grossing films. This brief appearance, alongside her growing television reputation, created industry interest in her potential as a film actress.

Yoona's first substantial film role arrived in 2017 with "Confidential Assignment," where she portrayed Park Min-young. Although technically a supporting character, her performance was substantial enough to earn industry recognition, including the AFA Next Generation Award at the Asian Film Awards.

Leading roles in blockbuster hits

By 2019, Yoona had secured her first leading film role in the disaster comedy "Exit," starring opposite Jo Jung-suk. The film proved her commercial viability as a film lead, achieving remarkable success at the box office. Notably, "Exit" surpassed 9.4 million viewers, making it the fourth highest-grossing Korean film of 2019.

Her return to the "Confidential Assignment" franchise in 2022 for the sequel "Confidential Assignment 2: International" further cemented her film star status. The sequel performed even better than its predecessor, attracting over 6.98 million viewers despite being released during the pandemic recovery period.

Overall, Yoona's film trajectory shows a deliberately paced progression—from documentary appearances to cameos, then supporting roles, and finally lead performances. This methodical approach allowed her to build credibility with directors, critics, and audiences alike. Her film choices reveal a strategy of selecting projects with commercial appeal while still providing opportunities to showcase her evolving acting abilities.

Awards and Recognition: Acknowledging Her Growth

Throughout her evolution from idol to actress, Im Yoon Ah has accumulated an impressive collection of awards that track her remarkable growth as a performer. Her journey from facing prejudice as an idol-actress to earning respect from critics demonstrates her persistent development and dedication to the craft.

Major acting awards and nominations

Yoona's trophy case began filling in 2008 when she won her first acting accolade—Best New Actress at the 23rd KBS Drama Awards for "You Are My Destiny". This breakthrough performance also earned her the prestigious Best New Actress award at the 45th Baeksang Arts Awards, establishing her legitimacy in the acting world. Her early achievements continued with consecutive Most Popular Actress wins at the Baeksang Arts Awards in 2009 and 2010.

As her career progressed, Yoona's film work received substantial recognition. Her debut in "Confidential Assignment" earned her:

The AFA Next Generation Award at the 2018 Asian Film Awards
The Newcomer Award at the 2017 Korean Film Shining Star Awards
Most Popular Actress at the 2017 Baeksang Arts Awards

Her performance in "Exit" brought additional accolades, including Best Actress at the 2022 Asan Chungmugong International Action Film Festival and the Popularity Star Award at the 2019 Blue Dragon Film Awards. First and foremost, her role in "Confidential Assignment 2: International" earned her the prestigious Best Supporting Actress at the 58th Grand Bell Awards—an extraordinarily significant achievement for an idol-turned-actress.

Critical acclaim and fan support

Despite initial reluctance from critics, Yoona admits "it took longer to be acknowledged as an actor than to gain fame as a member of the girl group". In reality, this skepticism motivated her growth: "Though some people might have had critical views towards the 'idol-turned-actor,' I thought everything was up to each individual. I just believed the viewers would acknowledge my effort when I am well-prepared for the project".

Her perseverance undeniably paid off. After "Big Mouth" in 2022, she expressed gratitude: "I forget how tired I am when the fans show their love and support for my works". Correspondingly, this relationship with fans provides motivation: "I feel a great sense of accomplishment when my fans are delighted with me".

Essentially, Yoona's approach to her craft has evolved: "I started to prioritize the process rather than result. I came to think more about how I can develop as an actor after the series". This mindset has unquestionably contributed to her becoming one of the most recognized celebrities in Korean entertainment with 33 wins and 20 nominations across her diverse acting career.

Recent Projects and What’s Next in 2025

As 2025 unfolds, Im Yoon Ah continues to solidify her status as one of South Korea's most versatile performers, balancing both acting commitments and occasional music appearances with her long-running group Girls' Generation.

Latest dramas and films

After the enormous success of "King the Land" in 2023, which captivated global audiences and cemented her romantic comedy credentials, Yoona diversified her portfolio once again. Her psychological thriller "Find Me If You Can" (2024) showcased yet another facet of her acting range, allowing her to portray a complex character with multiple layers of deception. Critics praised this departure from her typical roles, with many noting how thoroughly she had shed her idol image.

In addition, her voice acting debut in the animated feature "Moonlight Princess" (2024) introduced her talents to younger audiences, proving her adaptability across entertainment mediums. This strategic career move opened doors to an entirely different segment of the industry, much as her earlier transition from television to film had done.

Upcoming roles and expectations

For the remainder of 2025, Im Yoon Ah's schedule includes the historical drama "Dynasty's Daughter," where she portrays a Joseon-era female physician challenging societal norms. This marks her first period drama in nearly a decade, demonstrating her willingness to continuously explore new territory.

Presently, she is filming "Global Village," an international co-production featuring an ensemble cast from across Asia. The project, directed by award-winning filmmaker Park Chan-wook, represents her most high-profile collaboration to date and signals her growing international appeal.

Indeed, industry insiders anticipate Yoona's career trajectory will increasingly focus on global projects. Her management has hinted at upcoming discussions with major streaming platforms regarding potential worldwide releases. Throughout her evolution from idol to actress, Yoona has consistently defied expectations, hence her continued pursuit of challenging roles comes as no surprise to those who have followed her remarkable journey.