
Girls’ Generation Yoona Biography,: Profile, Net Worth 2025, Career, and Family
By ICON TEAM | Published on Apr 12, 2025

South Korean singer, actress, and global phenomenon Im Yoon-ah, better known by her stage name Yoona, has made a lasting impression on the entertainment business. As a versatile actress and part of the renowned K-pop group Girls' Generation, Yoona has developed a career that encompasses music, television, movies, and endorsements. She is one of South Korea's most adored celebrities and a major contributor to the Hallyu wave's globalization thanks to her charisma, ability, and unwavering work ethic. This page explores Yoona's life story, profile, professional highlights, projected 2025 net worth, and family life.
Profile:
Full Name: Im Yoon-ah
Stage Name: Yoona
Birth Date: May 30, 1990
Birth Place: Seoul, South Korea
Education: Daeyoung High School (2009); Dongguk University
Yoona was raised in Daerim-dong after being born in Seoul, South Korea's Yeongdeungpo District. Her moniker, "Yoon-ah," which means "soft beauty" in Korean, is a good descriptor of her ethereal attractiveness. She is well-known for her delicate features and elegant presence. After her mother left when she was still a little child, her father reared her and her sibling alone. She has an elder sister. Yoona's tenacity and resolve helped her achieve fame in spite of personal obstacles.
She has gained a particular place in the hearts of her supporters, who call her "Deer Yoona" because of her doe-like eyes and "Him Yoona," which translates to "strong Yoona," because of her surprising physical prowess. Yoona's global appeal is demonstrated by her fluency in Chinese and Korean, conversational English, and rudimentary Japanese. She enjoys eating late-night snacks, particularly cereal, and is referred to as the "queen of midnight snacking" by other members of the Girls' Generation.
Career:
Yoona's varied career, which includes acting, singing, endorsements, and philanthropy, is evidence of her adaptability. She made her stage debut in 2007 under the banner of SM Entertainment and has since grown to become one of the most well-known performers in South Korea.
Music Career:
When Yoona was scouted at SM Entertainment's Saturday Open Casting Audition in 2002, her path officially began. On August 5, 2007, she made her debut as a member of Girls’ Generation (SNSD) with the single “Into the New World,” following five years of intense training in acting, dancing, and singing. With nine members (later reduced to eight after Jessica left in 2014), the group became a cultural phenomenon and was dubbed "Nation's Girl Group" due to their enormous impact.
Yoona was essential to Girls’ Generation’s success as the group’s visual, center, lead dancer, lead rapper, and backing vocalist. Their reputation as K-pop pioneers was solidified with hits including "Gee" (2009), "Oh!" (2010), "The Boys" (2011), and "Lion Heart" (2015), which sold over 100 million digital and physical copies globally. Alongside Taeyeon, Sunny, Hyoyeon, and Yuri, Yoona joined the Girls’ Generation-Oh!GG subunit in 2018. Her debut single was "Lil' Touch." She demonstrated her leadership skills as the sub-unit's leader, lead dancer, lead rapper, vocalist, visual, center, and maknae.
With her Chinese mini-album Blossom (2016), which included songs like "Red Bean" and "A Little Happiness," Yoona made her solo musical debut. The lead single, "Summer Night," featuring 20 Years of Age, from her Korean solo debut, the EP A Walk to Remember (2019), debuted at number three on the South Korean Gaon Chart. The K2 soundtrack's "Haptic Motion" (2008), "Innisfree Day" (2010), and "Amazing Grace" (2016) are other noteworthy releases.
Acting Career:
In 2007, Yoona made her musical debut and started her acting career at the same time. She had a small part in MBC's Two Outs in the Ninth Inning. She had her debut in 2008 when she portrayed Jang Sae-byuk in KBS's You Are My Destiny. She won Best New Actress at the 45th Baeksang Arts Awards and the 23rd KBS Drama Awards. Her status as a budding actress was cemented by the drama's excellent ratings.
She kept adding varied roles to her filmography:
Love Rain (2012): Despite the drama's low domestic rating, Yoona received recognition for her emotional depth in her dual parts as Yun-hee and Ha-na. Given her global appeal, it sold for $10 million to Japan.
Prime Minister & I (2013–2014): She won the KBS Drama Awards' Excellence and Netizen Awards for her comedic timing as Nam Da-jung.
The K2 (2016): She received praise from critics for her portrayal of a reclusive heiress named Go An-na, which demonstrated her ability to manage romance and action.
According to reports, Yoona made $2.7 million with her Chinese drama debut in God of War, Zhao Yun (2016), which increased her popularity throughout Asia.
The King in Love (2017): She struck a balance between romance and historical drama in her role as Eun-san.
Her mature performances in Hush (2020–2021) and Big Mouth (2022) tackled challenging characters in legal thrillers and journalism.
King the Land (2023): Yoona's portrayal of Cheon Sa-rang, opposite Lee Jun-ho, was a worldwide success and received accolades for their chemistry.
Among the highest-grossing films in South Korea are Confidential Assignment (2017), Miracle: Letters to the President (2021), Exit (2019), and Confidential Assignment 2: International (2022). Another milestone will be reached when Yoona and Ahn Bo-hyun co-star in Pretty Crazy.
Among Yoona's many hosting credits are MBC Gayo Daejejeon (2015–2022), SBS Gayo Daejeon (2011), KBS Drama Awards (2013), and KBS Entertainment Awards (2009, 2011). In addition, she hosted the Blue Dragon Awards from 2022 to 2023 and made appearances on reality shows such as Hyori's Homestay 2 (2018) and Family Outing (2010).
Endorsements and Brand Ambassadorships:
Known as the "CF Queen," Yoona began her career with a Clean & Clear commercial prior to her debut and has since promoted more than 40 companies worldwide. She was the first celebrity to promote a well-known cosmetics company because of her enduring (more than ten years) relationship with Innisfree. Other brands include Crocs, Miu Miu, Pandora, S-Oil, SK Telecom, Sulwhasoo (2025), Michael Kors (first Korean ambassador), Crocs, Sulwhasoo (2024), and Crocs. She was elevated to the position of global brand spokesperson in 2024 after serving as the face of Qeelin's Wulu Echo and New Yu Yi collections.
According to reports, she made $3 million in the first half of 2012 alone from her hefty endorsement deals. Yoona's riches is largely attributed to her radiant, healthy appearance, which goes hand in hand with luxury and lifestyle companies.
Philanthropy and Public Roles:
Yoona's charity contributions have earned her recognition as a member of the Community Chest of Korea's Honor Society. She gave ₩100 million in March 2025 to help those affected by the wildfires in South Korea. She has contributed to medical assistance and social welfare during the COVID-19 pandemic and supported UNICEF's UNIHERO campaign (2014). She has promoted Korean culture all around the world, including at the Blue House, since being elected Honorary Ambassador of Seoul's Jung District in 2012.
2025 Net Worth:
Given her varied sources of income, Yoona's estimated net worth in 2025 is between $30 million and $41 million. Among the key contributors are:
Music: More than 10 million albums, solo releases, and concert receipts have been sold worldwide by Girls' Generation.
Acting: Exorbitant appearance fees, including $2.7 million for God of War, Zhao Yun, and $16,700 per episode (estimated in 2015). Her income is still increased by her roles in popular dramas and movies.
Endorsements: lucrative partnerships with more than 40 businesses, offering substantial compensation for ads promoting luxury and beauty.
Real estate: Yoona's wealth has increased by millions thanks to her astute investments. She paid ₩4 billion out of pocket in 2018 to buy a building in Gangnam's Cheongdam-dong for ₩10 billion ($7.27 million). In June 2023, she sold it for ₩24.3 billion ($17.7 million), making almost $11 million in profit. She also has a premium apartment in Lotte Castle Premier, Samseong-dong, and another in Mark Hills Cheongdam, which she bought for ₩5.7 billion in 2022.
Although precise rankings differ according on sources and whether former member Jessica Jung is included, her net worth places her among the wealthiest members of the Girls' Generation.
Personal and Family Life:
Yoona keeps her personal life discreet and concentrates her profession on drawing attention to herself. Due to her parents' divorce, she and her older sister were raised by their father in Seoul, with little information about her mother available to the public. Yoona has expressed her affection for her sister, calling her a close confidante. She prioritizes her career accomplishments over personal revelations, keeping family issues out of the public eye despite her notoriety.
From September 2013 to August 2015, Yoona was romantically involved with singer and actor Lee Seung-gi. Although the relationship received a lot of attention, both parties ended it peacefully so they could concentrate on their jobs. Yoona has chosen to keep such things private and has not publicly acknowledged any new relationships or marriage prospects as of 2025. There is no proof to support the rumors that she is related to other superstars, such as Lee Jun-ho of 2PM or Oh Sehun of EXO.
Yoona's unrelenting schedule demonstrates her commitment to her craft. "I forget how tired I am when the fans show their love and support for my works," she stated in a 2013 interview with Korea Herald. Her professionalism and grounded nature have won her the respect of both fans and peers.
Legacy and Impact:
Yoona's impact goes beyond her work in acting and music. Through the popularity of Girls' Generation in Asia, North America, and other regions, she contributed to the globalization of K-pop as a pioneer of the Hallyu wave. Stereotypes about idol actors have been dispelled by her acting career, which has brought her praise from critics and accolades including the Baeksang Arts Best New Actress and other KBS Drama Awards. As evidence of her cultural influence, Forbes named her one of Asia's "30 Under 30" most important performers in 2016.
Her dedication to giving back is demonstrated by her generosity, which ranges from disaster assistance to the wellbeing of children. Yoona has influenced trends as a fashion star and brand ambassador, especially in the luxury and cosmetics industries. She is an inspiration to young musicians because of her ability to manage acting, singing, and endorsements while preserving a positive public image.
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