YoonA shares insights on her acting career, idol experiences, and the challenges of balancing both roles in a recent interview.
September/22/2025 08:00Related Groups & Members
YoonA from Girls' Generation revealed her honest thoughts about the preconceived notions regarding idols and actresses. Recently, she appeared on tvN's 'You Quiz ON THE Block,' where she shared various episodes while actively working in the drama 'The Chef of the Tyrant.' Currently gaining significant attention for 'The Chef of the Tyrant,' she confessed, 'When I wake up, I first check the ratings. Since the numbers come out by time slot, I wake up at that time to search, update, and check.' She continued, 'I haven't really felt the popularity, but I could feel it a bit when I got the call to appear on 'You Quiz.' When someone on the street says, 'You're Yeong Ji-yeong, right?' or asks, 'Was it tough in Taekwondo?' I feel it.' In particular, she mentioned, 'The members also say, 'It's really interesting,' and they watch it a lot.' She added, 'Recently, we gathered for Tiffany's birthday and debut anniversary. Every time we upload a group photo on SNS, many people are happy.' She also reflected on receiving the offer to appear in 'The Chef of the Tyrant,' saying, 'I had a strong desire to work with director Jang Tae-yoo. They sent me the web novel, and I feel like I've been walking with it from the early stages. It's a work I have a very special affection for.' YoonA revealed, 'I did about 95% of the cooking myself. I attended cooking classes for three months to learn, but since the cooking is a medium for the work, it was very important. While acting, I had to approach it as if I were taking a memory test, so I had to thoroughly understand and grasp it, feeling like I was really taking a 'memory test.' Attention is also focused on her co-star Lee Che-min, and regarding their chemistry, YoonA praised him, saying, 'I feel he's a very serious young man. Despite the short preparation time, he expresses everything well, and I got the impression of 'Lee Hong himself.' She also revealed that her drama debut was earlier than her debut with Girls' Generation, stating, 'I debuted in the drama '9th Inning, 2 Outs' before debuting as Girls' Generation the following month.' She continued to balance acting and group activities, recalling, 'At that time, I was filming 'You Are My Destiny' while also promoting 'Gee.' There were many sleepless nights, and I remember dozing off during the music video shoot.' She added, 'At that time, I never wanted to neglect anything. Since it was a group activity, I didn't want to be a burden while tired. I never thought of neglecting either.' Regarding the preconceived notion of being an actress from an idol background, she stated, 'There may have been such views, but I had a strong thought that 'I just need to do it properly.' I believe there are parts that can be recognized if I do it well.' Furthermore, regarding many idols, including Girls' Generation members, transitioning to acting, she said, 'When I see my friends I’ve worked with become actors, even if we’re not close, I want to support them. During 'King the Land,' there was a reaction of 'Girls' Generation and 2PM's co-starring,' and it even ranked first.' What benefits come from balancing idol and acting activities? She mentioned, 'The experience of dancing has helped with how I use my body. It helps when doing action or using wires. I had experience using wires during concerts.' YoonA reflected on her 30s, saying, 'I think I’ve been really busy. It’s very busy, and with that comes many memories, always working while moving to the next step. I felt like I didn’t know anything. I thought I needed to look back at myself, not just what I was observing.'
Related Articles
Following the success of the 'The Chef of Tyrant' pop-up store in Shibuya, additional stores will open in Fukuoka, Nagoya, and Osaka. The events will feature large displays, exclusive merchandise, and promotional gifts for purchases. The drama, starring Yuna and Lee Che-min, has captivated audiences worldwide with its unique storyline and chemistry between leads.
Lee Soo-man, the founder of SM Entertainment and current key producer at A2O Entertainment, was inducted into the Asian Hall of Fame. The ceremony, held at The Biltmore Los Angeles, honored his contributions to K-POP and global culture, emphasizing his vision of connecting generations through music. He accepted the award on behalf of all artists and creators, highlighting creativity as a universal language. Other inductees included Yao Ming and YOSHIKI, with the event drawing significant attention for its recognition of cultural pioneers.
Yoon So-ah, the actress from 'The Tyrant's Chef,' enjoyed a reward vacation in Vietnam with her co-stars. She shared photos on Instagram, showcasing moments of joy, including her smiling at the airport and posing with fellow actors. The group enjoyed coffee together, radiating happiness and camaraderie during their trip.
Yuna from Girls' Generation has been selected as the spotlight figure in W KOREA's October issue, celebrating actors who shone this year. She collaborates with Valentino, showcasing her elegance and strong visuals. Director Lee Sang-gun praises her dedication and transformation on set, emphasizing her desire to improve. More of Yuna's photos and an interview are featured in the magazine.
The pitching fashion of female stars is evolving, focusing on sporty yet stylish outfits that highlight health and individuality. From crop tops to tailored denim, each star adds personal touches like unique hairstyles and accessories. Notable examples include i-dle's Miyeon and ITZY's Yeji, who balance sporty aesthetics with fashionable details.
In a recent YouTube video, Yubin from Wonder Girls shares her affection for Seohyun of Girls' Generation, reminiscing about their past as rivals. They discuss their initial admiration for each other, the challenges of becoming friends due to busy schedules, and their different styles in music and performance, highlighting their mutual respect and fondness.
On the morning of the 23rd, the GUCCI Beauty House opened in Seoul's Songdong District, attended by Taeyeon from Girls' Generation. There was confusion regarding her participation in a local festival, leading to anger from a 13-year-old trot singer and conflicting statements from SM Entertainment about negotiations with the festival organizers.
On the afternoon of the 21st, YoonA from Girls' Generation and Lee Chaemin departed for Vietnam via Incheon International Airport for a 3-night, 4-day reward vacation following their hit drama 'The Chef of Tyrant.' The cast celebrated their success with a fan meeting in Macau, and Lee Chaemin's recent photoshoot has garnered attention for its wild and youthful vibe.
The team behind the hit drama "暴君のシェフ" is set to enjoy a reward trip to Vietnam from the 21st to 24th, celebrating their success. The show, starring少女時代's YoonA, concluded with a perfect happy ending and impressive ratings, peaking at 20% in the capital region. The cast received enthusiastic support from viewers, highlighted by YoonA's celebratory moment at the wrap party.
On the afternoon of the 18th, Yuri from Girls' Generation participated in the first game of the KBO postseason playoffs, throwing the first pitch. She also attended the wedding of KUSH and Vivian, celebrating with friends, and announced her third fan meeting tour, expressing excitement to meet fans worldwide.
