Im Na-yeon (; 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. The EP has seven tracks, including the lead single, "Pop!", and collaborations with Wonstein and Felix of Stray Kids. "Pop!" was a commercial success, peaking at number two on South Korea's Circle Digital Chart. On July 10, Nayeon earned her first ever music show win on SBS Inkigayo. She won Best Female Artist at the 2022 MAMA Awards.
Nayeon's second EP Na was released on June 14, 2024. It contains seven tracks including the lead single, "ABCD", and collaborations with Sam Kim and Julie of Kiss of Life. On November 21, Nayeon released a Korean version of "Beyond" for the end credits of the animated film Moana 2.
In February 2025, Nayeon performed solo in Japan for the first time at Beat AX Vol.5, a music festival hosted by Nippon Television at Ariake Arena. After her performance, her cover of Ikimonogakari's "Kimagure Romantic" became popular on social media, and the original song re-charted on various music streaming services. At the request of Ikimonogakari, Nayeon released her cover version as a digital single on May 30.
On June 13, 2025, Tayla Parx and Nayeon released a remix of Parx's single "Era". On July 4, Nayeon performed at the Kaohsiung Beer Rock Festival, becoming the first Twice member to perform in Taiwan. On May 7, 2026, she released the song "Love Is Enough" for the soundtrack of the Korean drama series Sold Out on You.
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.
Other ventures Fashion and endorsements
Aside from endorsements with Twice, Nayeon has promoted various products and featured in numerous advertisements. During her trainee years, Nayeon was a model for brands such as Smart School Uniform and TN. In May 2021, she became a model and appeared in a promotional video for Chaumet's Joséphine collection. In August, she became a model for Biotherm Korea, a South Korean beauty brand. In September 2022, she became a model for South Korean clothing brand Olive Des Olive. On January 30, 2023, Nayeon was announced as the official muse of Givenchy Beauty. In May 2023, she became the Asia ambassador for Tommy Jeans.
Nayeon has also appeared in magazines including Nylon Korea, Cosmopolitan Korea, W Korea, and Elle Korea, as well as for fashion brands such as Ralph Lauren, Jill Stuart, Fendi, and Louis Vuitton. She was featured in the April 2022 issue of Harper's Bazaar Korea for Chaumet's Joséphine collection. The same month, she was officially named by the brand as the Friend of the Maison. In August 2023, she was announced as the muse of Austrian jewellery brand Swarovski.
Philanthropy In March 2020, Nayeon donated to the Community Chest of Korea to help the fight against COVID-19 outbreak. In 2023, she donated to Save the Children to support relief for the 2023 Turkey-Syria earthquakes, and in January 2024, she became a member of the Honor Society of the Community Chest of Korea for donating over to the organization.
In March 2025, Nayeon donated through the Community Chest of Korea to help the wildfire victims.
Discography
Extended plays + List of extended plays, showing selected details, chart positions, sales figures, and certifications Title Details Peak chart positions Sales Certifications KOR CAN FIN JPNPeak positions on the Oricon Albums Chart: Im Nayeon: Na: JPNHotPeak positions on Billboard Japan Hot Albums:
USPeak positions on the Billboard 200:
USWorldPeak positions on the World Albums chart: Im Nayeon: Na: Im Nayeon Released: June 24, 2022 Label: JYP, Republic Formats: CD, LP, digital download, streaming 1 54 25 6 19 7 1 KOR: 547,102Accumulated Album sales:
JPN: 16,366 Combined physical sales for Im Nayeon in Japan:
US: 52,000 KMCA: 2× Platinum Na Released: June 14, 2024 Label: JYP, Republic Formats: CD, LP, digital download, streaming 1 — — 4 21 7 1 KOR: 454,723Cumulative sales of Na:
JPN: 12,961 US: 43,000 KMCA: Platinum "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory
Singles As lead artist + List of singles as lead artist, showing year released, selected chart positions, certifications, and name of the album Title Year Peak chart positions Sales Certifications Album KORPeak positions on the Circle Digital Chart:
KORSongsPeak positions on Billboard South Korea Songs: JPN JPNHotPeak positions on the Billboard Japan Hot 100:
MLYSongsPeak positions on Billboard Malaysia Songs:
NZHotPeak positions on the RMNZ Hot Singles:
PHL SGPPeak positions on the RIAS Top Streaming Chart:
USWorldPeak positions on the World Digital Song Sales:
WWPeak positions on the Billboard Global 200:
"Pop!" 2022 2 2 6 5 9 17 6 7 7 30 RIAJ: Platinum Im Nayeon "ABCD" 2024 95 — 29 25 23 17 73 12 2 54 JPN: 3,172Digital sales of "ABCD" in Japan:
Na "Kimagure Romantic"() 2025 — — — 92 — — — — — — rowspan="3" "Era" (remix) — — — — — — — — — — "Bye Bye Inhibitions" 2026 — — — — — — — — — — "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory
Collaborations + List of collaboration singles, showing year released and name of the album Title Year Album "Encore" 2016
Soundtrack appearances + List of soundtrack appearances, showing year released and name of the album Title Year Album "Beyond" () 2024 Moana 2 (Korean Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) "Love Is Enough" () 2026 Sold Out on You (Original Soundtrack)
Other charted songs + List of other charted songs, showing year released, selected chart positions and name of the album Title Year Peak chart positions Album KORDown.Peak positions on the Circle Download Chart:
HUN NZHot SGPReg. USWorld "I'll Show You" 2020 — — 38 — 10 All Out "No Problem" 2022 31 30 — 25 10 Im Nayeon "Love Countdown" 32 — — 23 — "Candyfloss" 46 — — — — "All or Nothing" 53 — — — — "Happy Birthday to You" 55 — — — — "Sunset" () 52 — — — — "Butterflies" 2024 37 — — — — Na "Heaven" 38 — — — — "Magic" 32 — — — — "HalliGalli" 33 — — — — "Something" 39 — — — — "Count It" 47 — — — — "Meeeeee" 2025 153 — — — — Ten: The Story Goes On "—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory
Guest appearances + List of non-single guest appearances, showing year released and name of the album Title Year Album "Daring Woman" () 2015 Two Yoo Project – Sugar Man Pt. 11
Songwriting credits All song credits are adapted from the Korea Music Copyright Association's database unless stated otherwise.
+ List of songs, showing year released, artist name, and name of the album Title Year Artist Album Notes "24/7" 2017 Twice Twicetagram As lyricist "Rainbow" 2019 Feel Special "21:29" "Make Me Go" 2020 More & More "Depend on You" Eyes Wide Open "Baby Blue Love" 2021 Taste of Love "F.I.L.A. (Fall in Love Again)" Formula of Love: O+T=<3 "Love Countdown" 2022 Herself Im Nayeon "All or Nothing" "Celebrate" Twice Celebrate "Me+You" 2025 Ten: The Story Goes On "Meeeeee" As lyricist and composer
Videography
Music videos Title Year Director(s) "Pop! " 2022 Rima Yoon, Dongju Jang (Rigend Film) "ABCD" 2024 Guzza (Kudo)
Filmography
Television series Year Title Role Notes 2012 Dream High 2 Jung Ui-bong's dance partner Cameo
Television show Year Title Role 2018 Idol Star Athletics Championships Presenter
Web show Year Title Role Notes 2024–2025 Trick Kode Host YouTube game show
Bibliography Photobooks Title Release date Publisher Yes, I am Nayeon. February 20, 2025 JYP Entertainment
Awards and nominations
+ Name of the award ceremony, year presented, award category, nominee(s) of the award, and the result of the nomination Award ceremony Year Category Nominee(s) Result Asia Artist Awards 2023 Popularity Award – Singer (Female) Nayeon 2024 2025 Popularity Award – Solo (Female) Asian Pop Music Awards 2022 Best Female Artist (Overseas) Circle Chart Music Awards 2023 Solo Artist of the Year – Female Artist of the Year – Global Digital Music (June) "Pop!" Mubeat Global Choice Award – Female Nayeon Genie Music Awards 2022 Best Female Solo Artist Golden Disc Awards 2023 Best Digital Song (Bonsang) "Pop!" Hanteo Music Awards 2023 Artist of the Year (Bonsang) Nayeon MAMA Awards 2022 Best Female Artist Song of the Year "Pop!" Best Dance Performance Solo 2024 Artist of the Year Nayeon Best Female Artist Best Dance Performance Female Solo "ABCD" Song of the Year Seoul Music Awards 2023 Main Award (Bonsang) Nayeon (Note: Click/tap on the labelled tabs to view nominees for each category) K-wave Award Popularity Award 2025 Main Prize (Bonsang) Popularity Award K-Wave Special Award K-pop World Choice – Solo
Notes
References
External links