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Im Yoon-ah

Im Yoon-ah

Actor · Born May 30, 1990 (36) · Seoul, South Korea

Lim YoonA (임윤아) is a South Korean singer, dancer, actress, and member of GIRLS' GENERATION (소녀시대 also known as SNSD). She graduated from Daeyoung High School and later obtained a bachelor's degree in Theater from Dongguk University. Before debuting, she had already been through many auditions to appear in music videos and dramas. She joined SM Entertainment (SM엔터테인먼트) in 2002 when she was cast in the SM Saturday Open Casting Audition and spent five years as a trainee. She was introduced to the public through various appearances in music videos and commercials, first appearing in TVXQ's "Magic Castle" music video in 2004. She made her debut in August 2007 as the group's lead dancer, lead rapper, sub-vocalist, visual and center with the single "Into The New World", part of their self-titled album "Girls' Generation", released in November of that year. They quickly became one of the most known South Korean figures and successful K-pop groups worldwide and have earned numerous accolades and been labeled as "The Nation's Girl Group". They rose to fame in 2009 with the single "Gee", which claimed the top spot on KBS's "Music Bank" for a record-breaking nine consecutive weeks and was Melon's most popular song of the 2000s decade. Individually, she began her acting career in 2007 with a minor role in MBC's drama "Two Outs in the Ninth Inning" and a cameo in the 2008 drama "Woman of Matchless Beauty, Park Jung Kum", which drew rave reviews from the media and fellow senior actors. She had her breakthrough in her acting career when, in May 2008, she landed her first leading role in the KBS drama "You Are My Destiny". The drama had viewership ratings of 41.5% and she was immediately recognized around the country. She won two "Best New Actress" awards at the 2008 KBS Drama Awards and at the 45th Baeksang Arts Awards. She has since achieved further public attention and acting acclaim with a variety of role-types in Love Rain (2012), Prime Minister & I (2013), The K2 (2016), and The King in Love (2017). Her film work includes Confidential Assignment (2017) and Exit (2019), both of which are among the highest-grossing films in South Korea, the latter being her first leading role. In March 2016, she released her first solo single, "Deoksugung Stonewall Walkway", a collaboration with 10CM and, a few months later, also began her acting career in China. In September 2018, she became part of the group's second sub-unit, GIRLS' GENERATION-OH!GG (소녀시대-Oh!GG), alongside the other 4 members, who renewed their contracts with SM. They released the single "Lil' Touch". On May 30, 2019, YoonA celebrated her 29th birthday (30th in Korean age) with the release of her debut extended play A Walk to Remember, charting at number three on South Korea's Gaon Album Chart. She remains with SM Entertainment and is active as an actress, as all the group members are busy with their individual activities. The success of YoonA'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. ×

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Biography from TMDB.

Born
May 30, 1990 (36)
From
Seoul, South Korea
Works as
Actor
Titles
11 on MovieCove · 54 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Official site (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 156 days to Oct 27Down 13% in 30 days

What are Im Yoon-ah's films like?

Across their 10 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Self.

Themes

share of theme weight
Bonds
51%
Self
19%
Morality
15%
Society
9%
Power
4%
Ideas
2%
Romantic love6 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice3 titles, browse their movies with this themeFamily bonds3 titles, browse their movies with this themeLoyalty3 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity2 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity2 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 6 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Grounded: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their grounded movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 4 · Stylized 2 · Heightened 0

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 0 · Charged 5 · Intense 1

Shifting: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their shifting movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 3 · Shifting 3 · Whiplash 0

Some laughs: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their some laughs movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 1 · Some laughs 3 · Funny 2

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 1 · Even-paced 4 · Relentless 1

Engaged: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their engaged movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 3 · Engaged 3 · Full focus 0

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 6 · Open-ended 0 · Ambiguous 0

Roles they play

6 analyzed roles

Usually the Ally: 3 of 6 analyzed roles.

Ally
3 of 6
Hero
2 of 6
Trickster
1 of 6

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Tense
6
Joyful
5
Thrilling
5
Warm
4
Romantic
3
Other
6

How their films linger

Fun5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFeel-good5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful4 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteThought-provoking2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 1 with a twist

  • Happy4
  • Bittersweet5
  • Ambiguous1

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Im Yoon-ah's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 10 of their 11 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Tubi (5).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Im Yoon-ah's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

54 credits, 11 with a MovieCove page; 49 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Husbands in Action(2026)

    as Yong-kang's Wife

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films

  • Bon Appetit, Your Majesty(2025)

    Show 12 episodes · as Yeon Ji-young

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all shows

  • Pretty Crazy(2025)

    as Seon-ji

    Midcredits score: 76th percentile of all films

  • 2023 MBC Gayo Daejeon (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)

    as MC

  • King the Land(2023)

    Show 16 episodes · as Cheon Sa-rang

    Midcredits score: 16th percentile of all shows

  • Confidential Assignment 2: International(2022)

    as Park Min-young

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all films

  • 2022 Girls′ Generation Special Event - Long Lasting Love (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)

    Actor

  • Girls' Generation.zip by Show! MusicCore (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)

    as National Center

  • Comeback Special #01 Girls' Generation (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)

    as Yoona

  • Girls' Generation Stage Compilation by #StudioK (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)

    as National Center

  • Big Mouth(2022)

    Show 16 episodes · as Go Miho

    Midcredits score: 90th percentile of all shows

  • MANADALLA (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • A Year-End Medley: Extended Version (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2022)

    Show 6 episodes · as Soo-yeon

  • A Year-End Medley(2021)

    as Soo-yeon

    Midcredits score: 84th percentile of all films

  • Miracle: Letters to the President(2021)

    as Song Ra-hee

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all films

  • H.U.S.H. (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)

    Show 16 episodes · as Lee Ji-soo

  • Exit(2019)

    as Eui-ju

    Midcredits score: 86th percentile of all films

  • The King in Love (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2017)

    Show 40 episodes · as Eun San

  • Confidential Assignment(2017)

    as Park Min-young

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • The K2(2016)

    Show 16 episodes · Theme Song Performance · as Ko An-na

    Midcredits score: 85th percentile of all shows

  • My Little Old Boy (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    Show 1 episode · as Mc

  • God of War Zhao Yun (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2016)

    Show 60 episodes · as Xiahou Qingyi / Ma Yurou

  • Girls' Generation - 4th Tour Phantasia In Japan (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    Actor

  • 少女时代腾讯演唱会 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    Actor

  • Summer Love (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2015)

    Show 2 episodes · as Yoon Ah

  • Girls' Generation -The Best Live - at Tokyo Dome (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    Actor

  • Girls' Generation in Las Vegas (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    Actor

  • Girls' Generation THE BEST ~New Edition~ (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    Actor

  • Girls' Generation ~LOVE & PEACE~ Japan 3rd Tour (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2014)

    Actor

  • The Prime Minister and I (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    Show 17 episodes · as Nam Da-jung

  • The Return of Superman (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Girls' Generation World Tour -Girls & Peace- in Seoul (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    Actor

  • Girls' Generation ~Girls & Peace~ Japan 2nd Tour (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    Actor

  • Girls' Generation 2nd Asia Tour (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    Actor

  • Girls' Generation Complete Video Collection (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    Actor

  • Girls' Generation Complete Video Collection (Japanese Ver.) (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    as National Center

  • Girls' Generation Complete Video Collection (Korean Ver.) (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    as National Center

  • Love Rain (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    Show 20 episodes · as Kim Yoon-Hee & Jung Ha Na

  • Girls' Generation ~ The First Japan Tour (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2011)

    Actor

  • Samsung SMTown Live '10 World Tour In L.A. 3D (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    Actor

  • Running Man (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    Show 6 episodes · Actor

  • Girls' Generation - 1st Asia Tour: Into the New World (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    Actor

  • Hello Baby (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    Show 22 episodes · Actor

  • Cinderella Man (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2009)

    Show 16 episodes · as Seo You-jin

  • You are My Destiny (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    Show 178 episodes · as Jang Sae-byuk

  • Woman of Matchless Beauty, Park Jung Kum (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2008)

    Show 3 episodes · as Mi Ae

  • MTV Girl's Generation (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    Show 11 episodes · Actor

  • Girls' Generation Goes to School (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    Show 9 episodes · Actor

  • 9 End 2 Outs (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    Show 16 episodes · as Shin Joo-young

  • KBS Song Festival (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2006)

    Show 2 episodes · as Host

  • KBS Entertainment Awards (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2002)

    Show 2 episodes · as Host

  • KBS Drama Awards (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Show 1 episode · as Host

  • Confidential Assignment 3: The Final (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    as Park Min-young

  • 언내추럴 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Show 1 episode · as Lim Do-eun

Career shape

Star power in the 98th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 54 titles, 52 of them dated from 1987 to 2026; peak year 2020.

Biggest box office

Exit (2019)

$70M worldwide

Highest rated

Miracle: Letters to the President (2021)

Midcredits 94th

Most popular right now

Big Mouth (2022)

Film career

MilestoneBreakout
19872026

Peak 2020 · steadily prominent in film for years. Top draw in 5 MovieCove titles. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting54 of 54: 53 only acting, 1 with another role · typical Midcredits score84thOther crew1 of 54: 0 only other crew, 1 with another role

By decade

1980s1 · acting2000s9 · acting2010s26 · 26 acting · 1 crew2020s16 · acting

Billing

usually 3rd · top billed in 14% of 7 roles

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30.

How do Im Yoon-ah's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 76th percentile, the median of all 7; across their 6 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 79th percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

79thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 6

Approval · how many liked their films

76thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 6

Reach · how many have seen their films

88thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 6

Midcredits score across 11 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up7
  • 50th to 74th3
  • Below 25th1

Shape of the crowd

7 of their 11 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved3
  • Crowd Pleaser7
  • Mixed1

Most divisive · actor

King the Land (2023)

82nd percentile spread · 81% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Miracle: Letters to the President (2021)

Midcredits 94th · 83% liked

Reviewers score the acting 76/100 in their films, across 6 reviewed titles; fans 80, detractors 42. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Im Yoon-ah's work okay for kids?

Across up to 5 MovieCove titles with content scores, sex & nudity runs lighter than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore3 titlesmedian 43 · moderateMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity5 titles4–28 · median 11 · minimallighter than most filmsMedian of all films: 32

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does Im Yoon-ah work with?

People who share at least 2 of Im Yoon-ah's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Jin Seon-kyu shares the most, 2.

Actors