YoonA is reflecting on her journey—from K-pop idol to established actress.
Speaking about her recent experience at the Asia Artist Awards 2025, YoonA shared that she found it especially meaningful to receive recognition as an actress while still being one of the most senior idols in attendance.
“I realized I was one of the longest-active idols there,” she said. “A lot of younger artists kept coming up to say hi, and that’s when it really hit me how long I’ve been doing this. Being there to receive an award as an actress made it feel even more special and rewarding.”
The milestone also had her reflecting on her roots with Girls Generation, who’s celebrating their 20th anniversary next year. While she hinted that the group has considered doing something to mark the occasion, she added that nothing has been finalized yet.
She also shared how meaningful it’s been to see newer artists reinterpret her group’s work. After watching IVE cover “Genie,” YoonA said, “I found myself wondering if they’d get the choreography right—but they did such an amazing job. They really captured our charm. It was so impressive.”
YoonA added with a laugh that revisiting those performances brought back memories of her own group’s stages—though she joked that the old footage’s low quality made her wish for better versions.
Despite her long career, YoonA says her mindset has shifted over time. “I think I felt more pressure when I was younger,” she explained. “Now, I focus more on enjoying the process of telling stories I care about. If the process is meaningful, then even if the results don’t follow, it still becomes a valuable experience for growth.”
That outlook is shaping her next steps as well. The singer-actress shared that she’s eager to keep pushing herself creatively and exploring a wider range of roles.
“I want to try as many different things as I can, without limiting myself to one genre,” she said. “As I expand my range and show new sides of myself, it feels like new opportunities keep opening up.”
Looking ahead, she added with a smile, “I hope I can return to AAA again soon—with another great project to share.”
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