Yoona Reveals How She Overcame Prejudices as an Idol-Turned-Actress on 'You Quiz'

Girls' Generation member and actress Im Yoon-a candidly discussed the preconceptions faced by idol-turned-actors.

Appearing on the tvN show 'You Quiz on the Block' on the 10th, Yoon-a shared her experience with the immense popularity of her recent drama, 'King the Land.' She admitted to checking the ratings first thing every morning and expressed how she truly felt the drama's success when fans addressed her by her character's name, 'Sa-rang,' or commented on her acting journey.

She also mentioned that her fellow Girls' Generation members are enjoying the show, noting that a recent group photo from Tiffany Young's birthday and debut anniversary gathering garnered significant fan attention. Reflecting on receiving the script for 'King the Land,' Yoon-a expressed her strong desire to work with director Lee Sang-yeop and shared her deep affection for the project, having been involved since its early stages.

To authentically portray her chef character, Yoon-a dedicated three months to culinary school, mastering about 95% of the cooking scenes herself. She emphasized the crucial role of cuisine as a medium within the drama. Regarding her co-star, Lee Jun-ho, she described him as a "thoroughly upright young man," impressed by his ability to embody the character perfectly despite a short preparation time.

Yoon-a recalled her debut, which was first in the drama 'Hush' before her group debut with Girls' Generation the following month. She spoke about juggling acting and idol activities, even recalling falling asleep during a music video shoot while simultaneously filming the drama 'You Are My Destiny.' She expressed her determination not to neglect either pursuit and to avoid causing trouble for her team due to exhaustion.

Addressing the stigma around idol actors, Yoon-a stated her belief that "if I do well, people will see it positively." She also noted that she finds herself cheering for former idol colleagues who transition into acting, mentioning the positive reception to 'King the Land' as a "meeting between Girls' Generation and 2PM."

She highlighted the physical benefits of her idol training, such as dance, which aids in action sequences and wire work, drawing parallels to her experiences performing wire stunts during concerts. Looking back on her thirties, Yoon-a described them as incredibly busy, filled with memories, but also realized the need to reflect on herself rather than constantly focusing on the next career step.

Im Yoon-a first debuted as an actress in the 2007 drama 'Hush' before her group debut with Girls' Generation in the same year.

She is a beloved actress in dramas, films, and commercials, recognized for her exceptional acting skills and captivating visuals.

Recently, she garnered significant attention for her lead role in the tvN drama 'King the Land.'