Yoona Faces the Spotlight—Again
Girls’ Generation’s Yoona has done it all—pop stardom, screen success, and now another scene-stealer in ‘The King’s Chef’, a hit K-drama currently dominating Korean ratings. Appearing recently on tvN’s variety show ‘You Quiz on the Block’, Yoona opened up about everything from fan reactions to her early career hustle.
‘I Check the Ratings First Thing in the Morning’
IDOL? ACTOR? BOTH? For Yoona, it’s never been about choosing one or the other. While discussing ‘The King’s Chef’, she admitted she watches the numbers closely. “I check timed ratings updates early in the morning—refresh, reload, confirm,” she laughed. “But I really started feeling the impact when people on the street began recognizing me as ‘Yeon Jiyeon’ (her character’s name).”
Even her bandmates are onboard. “The girls say it’s so good—they’ve been watching regularly,” she said. Recently, they gathered for Tiffany’s birthday and anniversary of their debut, naturally sharing cute group photos online. Fans loved it.
Why This Role Was Different
Yoona went all-in this time. She was drawn to work with director Jang Tae-yoo and was involved from the web novel stage. “It’s a project filled with my sincere energy,” she said.
To play her role authentically, she took cooking classes for three months. “Honestly, I made about 95% of the food myself,” she revealed. “It’s a cooking-themed drama, so I treated it like a memory test. You can’t fake it.”
Co-Star Chemistry and Hidden Origins
As for her onscreen partner Lee Chae-min, Yoona had nothing but praise: “He’s serious and prepared. It felt like he really embodied his character, Lee Hong.”
Surprisingly, Yoona debuted on TV before debuting in music. “I started with the drama ‘9 Ends, 2 Outs’ one month before Girls’ Generation launched,” she shared. And juggling both lives? Let’s just say it was exhausting. “While shooting ‘You Are My Destiny’, we were promoting ‘Gee’. I think I fell asleep during our MV shoot,” she laughed.
Taking On Idol-to-Actor Bias
The ‘idol-turned-actor’ label still shadows many in K-entertainment. But Yoona’s response? Total boss mode. “I just thought, ‘If I do it right, people will see that. I’ll be recognized for what I can do.’” And with so many idols following acting paths—including her own bandmates—there’s a real sense of camaraderie. “Even if we weren’t close before, I cheer for them on screen,” she said. “When I did ‘King The Land’, we even joked about it being a 2PM–Girls’ Generation reunion!”
How Dancing Helps Her Acting
Turns out those years of choreography aren’t just for stage flair. “Dancing gave me better body control, which really helps in action scenes or working with wires. We used wires on stage during concerts too, so I wasn’t intimidated,” she explained.
Looking Back to Move Forward
Reflecting on her 30s, Yoona confessed, “I’ve been so busy—always onto the next thing. But that made me realize I wasn’t watching myself anymore. It’s time to look inward, too.”
Watch the Full Interview
Final Thoughts
Whether wielding a mic or a chef’s knife, Yoona continues to prove she’s more than just a pretty face. With talent, hustle, and humility, she’s cooking up another chapter in her already-iconic career. Got a favorite Yoona role? Let us know—we’re always ready to binge-watch again!
