🏆 Taeyeon has reached No. 27 in the K-pop Idol ranking for Week 27, 2026.
Artist Profile
- Real Name: Kim Tae-yeon
- Native Name: 김태연
- Nicknames: Taeng, Taengoo, Tete, Kid Leader, ByunTaeng, JumTaeng, OST Queen, DJ Taengoo
- Birthday: Mar 09, 1989 (37 years old)
- Blood type: O
- Height/Weight: 160 cm (5’3”) / 45 kg (99 lbs)
- Gender: Female
- Zodiac Sign: Pisces
- MBTI: INFJ-T
- Birthplace: Jeonju, North Jeolla Province, South Korea
- Nationality: South Korean
- Profession: Singer, Dancer, Actress, Radio DJ, Host, MC, Model
- Language Skills: Korean, Japanese, English, Chinese
- Current Agency: SM Entertainment
- Debut: August 5, 2007
- Fandom: SONE
- Years Active: 2007–present (19 years)
- Group: Girls' Generation (SNSD)
Taeyeon (born Kim Tae-yeon, 김태연) is a South Korean singer and songwriter. She is the leader and main vocalist of Girls’ Generation under SM Entertainment and made her solo debut in 2015.
Early life
Taeyeon was born on March 9, 1989, in Jeonju, North Jeolla Province, South Korea. She has an older brother, Kim Jiwoong, and a younger sister, Kim Hayeon. She attended Jeonju Yangji Elementary and Middle School before later graduating from Jeonju Art High School in 2008.
During middle school, Taeyeon began vocal training at SM Academy under singer The One. In 2004, she featured on The One’s song You Bring Me Joy. That same year, she won first place at the SM Youth Best Competition and signed a contract with SM Entertainment.
Career
2007
On August 5, 2007, Taeyeon debuted with Girls’ Generation through their first single Into the New World, taking on the roles of leader and main vocalist.
2008
In April 2008, Taeyeon began co-hosting KBS Cool FM’s Kangin and Taeyeon’s Chin Chin. In April 2009, she became the sole host after the show was renamed Taeyeon’s Chin Chin, remaining on the program until April 2010.
2010
On May 7, 2010, Taeyeon made her musical theater debut in Midnight Sun as Kaoru Amane. She taught herself guitar to prepare for the role. The musical received positive reviews from critics for her performance.
2012
In April 2012, Taeyeon debuted as part of Girls’ Generation-TTS, Girls’ Generation’s first subunit, consisting of Taeyeon, Tiffany, and Seohyun.
From 2012 to 2013, she served as MC for Show! Music Core on MBC.
2015
On October 7, 2015, Taeyeon released her first solo mini album, I, featuring the title track of the same name with rapper Verbal Jint.
2017
In February 2017, Taeyeon released her first studio album, My Voice, led by the single Fine.
2019
In 2019, Taeyeon released the digital single Four Seasons, which topped the Gaon Digital Chart. Later that year, she released her second studio album, Purpose. She also appeared on the music reality show Begin Again 3.
2020
On January 30, 2020, Taeyeon received the Artist of the Year Digital award (Daesang) at the 29th Seoul Music Awards, her first solo Daesang.
2022
On February 14, 2022, Taeyeon released her third studio album INVU. The title track INVU topped the Gaon Digital Chart for four consecutive weeks and reached number 8 on the Billboard World Digital Song Sales chart.
In May 2022, Taeyeon became a house ambassador for Louis Vuitton.
She also served as MC for Queendom 2 on Mnet that year.
2023
From June to August 2023, Taeyeon held her first arena tour, The Odd of Love, across multiple Asian countries. She also became the first Korean female artist to headline concerts at KSPO Dome both as a soloist and as a member of a group.
In November 2023, Taeyeon released her fifth mini album To. X with the title track of the same name. She also sang Dream for the drama Welcome to Samdal-ri, with the song gaining popularity on Instagram and short-form platforms.
She also served as MC for Queendom Puzzle on Mnet that year.
2024
On July 8, 2024, Taeyeon released the single Heaven.
On August 29, 2024, Taeyeon collaborated with Sam Smith on a Korean-language duet version of I’m Not the Only One
On November 18, 2024, Taeyeon released her sixth mini album Letter to Myself.
In October 2024, she became an ambassador for Louis Vuitton’s fine jewelry line. Also in October 2024, Taeyeon joined Singer Again Season 4 on JTBC as a judge.
2025
On March 7, 2025, Taeyeon began her sixth concert tour, The Tense. During this tour, she became the first foreign artist to perform at Taipei Dome.
On December 1, 2025, Taeyeon released her first compilation album, Panorama: The Best of Taeyeon, to celebrate the 10th anniversary of her solo debut. The 24-track album featured the new title track Panorama.
2026
On January 9, 2026, SM Entertainment announced the renewal of Taeyeon’s contract.
Awards
- In 2008, Taeyeon received the Popularity award at the Golden Disc Awards for the OST track If.
- In 2008, she received the Cyworld Digital Music Award Song of the Month for February for If.
- In 2009, she received two MBC Drama Awards and one Mnet 20’s Choice Award for the radio program Taeyeon’s Chin Chin Radio.
- On January 30, 2020, Taeyeon received the Artist of the Year Digital (Daesang), Album of the Year (Bonsang), and OST Song of the Year at the 29th Seoul Music Awards.
- On November 8, 2022, Taeyeon received the Best Female Solo Artist award at the Genie Music Awards.
- On November 30, 2022, Taeyeon received the Best Vocal Performance Solo award for INVU at the MAMA Awards.
- On December 18, 2022, Taeyeon received the Best Selling Solo K-Pop Album award for INVU at the China Year End 2022 Awards.
- In 2025, Taeyeon received the Digital Song Bonsang at the 39th Golden Disc Awards for To. X.
Fun facts
- She is really into games, especially StarCraft.
- She likes Protoss.
- She once said she likes smart people, especially those good at math.
- She has the nickname “Kid Leader” because she was young but had to lead the group.
- She is also called “Umma” because she often takes care of the other members.
- She is famous for sleeping in very unusual positions, which fans find funny.
- Fans have joked that she can sleep with her eyes open.
- She likes Dragon Ball Z.
- She likes Vegeta.
- She had a tomboy-ish side when she was young.
- She is not flashy, but she is naturally charming on camera.
- Her facial expressions often become memes.
- Many fans like her because her personality feels weird in a fun way.
- She is often described as talkative and very lively.
- She has a very unique kind of humor, so even small actions can become funny moments.