Im Na-yeon[a] (Korean: 임나연; born September 22, 1995), known mononymously as Nayeon, is a South Korean singer. She rose to prominence as a member of the South Korean girl group Twice, created by JYP Entertainment through the reality television show Sixteen (2015).
Nayeon released her eponymous debut extended play (EP), Im Nayeon, in June 2022. It peaked at number one on South Korea's Circle Album Chart and number seven on the US Billboard 200, making her the first South Korean soloist in history to enter the latter chart's top 10. The lead single, "Pop!", reached number two on the Circle Digital Chart in South Korea and the top ten in six countries. In 2024, Nayeon earned her second number-one entry on the Circle Album Chart and top-ten entry on the US Billboard 200 with her second extended play Na.
Early life
Im Na-yeon was born on September 22, 1995 in Gangdong District, Seoul, South Korea. As a child, Nayeon participated in a modeling contest and was cast by JYP Entertainment. Although her mother initially prevented her from entering show business given her young age, Nayeon secretly attended the agency's open audition on September 15, 2010, after which she became a trainee. In 2014, she was set to debut in a girl group called 6mix, but the group's debut was cancelled when two members left JYP Entertainment. She also made an appearance in the second episode of the 2012 television series Dream High 2.
Education
Nayeon graduated from Seoul Myeongwon Elementary School, Seongdeok Girls' Middle School, and Apgujeong High School. Before her debut with Twice, she was a student at Konkuk University under the department of Theater and Film Arts. In 2018, during the What Is Love? showcase, she revealed that she took a "leave of absence" due to her busy schedule.
Career
2015–present: Sixteen, Twice and solo debut
In 2015, Nayeon participated in the reality television show Sixteen, a competition to determine the members of a new JYP Entertainment girl group called Twice. As one of the nine successful participants, she made the final lineup. In October, Nayeon officially debuted as a member of Twice with the release of their first extended play (EP), The Story Begins.
On May 19, 2022, it was announced that Nayeon would debut as a solo artist on June 24 with her debut EP Im Nayeon. On July 10, 2022, Nayeon earned her first ever music show win on SBS Inkigayo. She won Best Female Artist at the 2022 MAMA Awards.
On May 13, 2024, JYP Entertainment announced that Nayeon would release her sophomore EP Na on June 14.
Public image
In Gallup Korea's annual music poll for 2017, she was voted the sixth most popular idol in South Korea. In the 2018 poll, she again ranked sixth, receiving 6.7% of the votes. In 2019, she placed fifth, receiving 8.2% of the votes, and ranked as the eighth most popular female K-pop idol in a survey of soldiers completing mandatory military service in South Korea. Nayeon has been noted for being at the "center" of Twice's performances and constantly opening the group's songs.
