
Sharon Yoo Biography: KING 5’s Race, Equity & Immigration Reporter
Sharon Yoo is an Emmy Award-winning journalist recognized for her powerful reporting on race, equity, and immigration.
She currently serves as the Facing Race Reporter for KING 5 (KING-TV), the NBC affiliate in Seattle, Washington.
Through her work, Yoo sheds light on critical issues surrounding racial justice, cultural identity, and immigrant experiences, giving a voice to underrepresented communities.
Early Life and Education
Birthplace: Seoul, South Korea
Upbringing: Raised in Singapore, where she developed a multicultural outlook that deeply influences her journalism
Citizenship: Became a naturalized U.S. citizen in August 2022
Education: Graduated from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, one of the nation’s premier journalism programs
Her global upbringing and immigrant background give her a distinctive perspective when reporting on identity, equity, and belonging.
Professional Career
KING 5 (Seattle, WA | 2021–Present)
At KING 5, Yoo leads the station’s Facing Race initiative, which focuses on stories at the intersection of race, immigration, and equity. Her reporting covers a wide range of topics, including:
Disparities in voting rights
The rise in AAPI hate crimes
Immigration policy and its impact on local communities
She has become a trusted voice in the Pacific Northwest for her empathetic, in-depth storytelling.
KARE 11 (Minneapolis, MN | 2018–2021)
Before moving to Seattle, Yoo worked as a Race & Equity Reporter and Producer at KARE 11.
She gained national attention for her on-the-ground coverage during the murder of George Floyd and the trial of former police officer Derek Chauvin.
Her work during this period earned her multiple regional Emmy Awards and recognition for her commitment to equity-focused journalism.
Earlier Career
WAVE-TV (Louisville, KY | 2016–2018): General assignment reporter covering community stories and breaking news.
WMTV (Madison, WI | 2015–2016): Reporter focusing on local government and human-interest stories.
WLNS-TV (Lansing, MI | 2014–2015): First on-air role as a reporter and multimedia journalist.
Across all stations, Yoo has been praised for combining rigorous investigative reporting with a compassionate approach that elevates marginalized voices.
Awards and Recognition
Multiple Emmy Awards for coverage of racial justice and equity issues
National recognition for reporting during the Minneapolis racial reckoning
Personal Life and Interests
Beyond the newsroom, Sharon Yoo leads an active and creative lifestyle:
Enjoys running, bouldering, and long walks with her two dogs
Passionate about houseplants and indoor gardening
Values community engagement and encourages viewers to share story ideas that highlight local voices
Sharon Yoo Age:
Sharon Yoo’s exact birth date has not been made public. However, based on her career timeline—graduating from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism around 2014 and starting her first reporting role soon after—she is likely in her early to mid-30s as of 2025.
She is of Asian (Korean-Singaporean) ethnicity and now holds American nationality. Originally from Singapore, where her family continues to live, Yoo immigrated to the United States and became a naturalized citizen in August 2022.
Sharon Yoo Parents and Siblings:
Sharon Yoo was born in Seoul, South Korea, and raised in Singapore, where her family still resides. She has not shared details about her parents or siblings, keeping that part of her life private.
Her multicultural upbringing strongly shaped her interest in equity, immigration, and identity issues, themes that remain central to her reporting.
After moving to the United States for higher education, she graduated from Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism in 2014. She later became a U.S. citizen in August 2022, marking a significant milestone in her personal and professional journey.
Sharon Yoo Husband:
Sharon Yoo keeps her personal life private, and there is no publicly available information confirming a husband or current marital status. She has not discussed romantic relationships in her professional bios or social media.
Sharon Yoo Height:
Sharon Yoo stands at approximately 5 feet 5 inches (165 cm) tall and weighs around 120–125 lbs (54–57 kg).
She maintains a slim, athletic build. Her estimated body measurements are 32–34 inches (bust), 24–26 inches (waist), and 34–36 inches (hips).
Sharon Yoo KING 5 Career Timeline:
Sharon Yoo is the Race, Equity & Immigration Reporter for KING-TV (KING 5), the NBC affiliate in Seattle, Washington.
KING 5 (Seattle, WA | 2021–Present)
Sharon Yoo joined KING 5 in early 2021 as the station’s Race, Equity & Immigration Reporter, leading the Facing Race initiative. Her reporting focuses on racial justice, immigrant communities, and equity issues across Washington state. She has covered topics such as:
AAPI hate crimes and community responses
Disparities in voting rights
The impact of immigration and sanctuary policies
Stories of immigrant families and LGBTQ+ rights
In August 2022, Yoo became a U.S. citizen, a personal milestone that deepened her perspective on immigration reporting. Today, she continues to produce in-depth television and digital stories while engaging viewers directly through social media to source community-driven coverage.
KARE 11 (Minneapolis–St. Paul, MN | 2018–2021)
Before moving to Seattle, Yoo served as a Race & Equity Reporter and Producer at KARE 11. She rose to national attention with her coverage of the murder of George Floyd in 2020 and the trial of Derek Chauvin in 2021. Her reporting combined sensitivity with accountability, earning her multiple regional Emmy Awards.
WAVE 3 News (Louisville, KY | 2016–2018)
At WAVE-TV, Yoo worked as a general assignment reporter covering local politics, breaking news, and community issues. During her time in Kentucky, she sharpened her live reporting skills and began developing a stronger focus on identity and equity stories.
WMTV NBC 15 (Madison, WI | 2015–2016)
Yoo worked as a multimedia journalist, producing her own stories from start to finish—shooting, editing, and reporting solo. She covered a wide variety of topics, including weather, government, and education, while building technical versatility.
WLNS-TV (Lansing, MI | 2014–2015)
Her first on-air role was at WLNS-TV, where she reported on breaking news, community events, and human-interest features. This position laid the foundation for her career in local television news.
Early Journalism Experience
While at Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, Yoo gained extensive experience at the Northwestern News Network, serving in multiple roles:
Assignment Editor
Producer and Associate Producer
Anchor and News Director
She also completed internships that built her cross-platform skills:
WJRT ABC12 (Michigan) – Summer news intern
WGN-TV & WGN Radio (Chicago, IL) – News and production intern
Sentosa Leisure Group (Singapore) – Communications intern
Sharon Yoo is part of the KING 5 News team in Seattle, where she serves as the “Facing Race” reporter.
She works alongside a diverse group of journalists and anchors at KING 5, including:
- Joyce Taylor – Morning anchor and longtime KING 5 personality
- Mark Wright – Anchor and reporter
- Amanda Brandeis – Reporter
- Glenn Farley – Aviation and transportation reporter
- Mimi Jung – Morning anchor and reporter
- Jake Whittenberg – Morning anchor
- Rebecca Stevenson – Meteorologist
These are just a few of the many professionals Sharon collaborates with at KING 5. Her role focuses on race and equity reporting, often intersecting with broader news coverage handled by her colleagues.
Sharon Yoo Net Worth and Salary:
Sharon Yoo’s exact net worth is not publicly documented, but as an Emmy-winning reporter at a major NBC affiliate like KING 5, it is estimated in the range of $500,000–$1 million, accumulated through her decade-plus career in broadcast journalism.
Her annual salary is approximated at $80,000–$120,000, typical for experienced TV reporters in mid-sized markets like Seattle, based on industry standards from sources like Glassdoor and Bureau of Labor Statistics data for broadcast journalists.
Is Sharon Yoo Married?
There is no confirmed information indicating that Sharon Yoo is married. She appears to keep her personal relationships out of the public eye, with no mentions of a spouse in her professional profiles or interviews.
How Old Is Sharon Yoo?
Sharon Yoo’s exact age is not publicly available, as she has chosen not to disclose her birthdate.
Based on her career timeline (graduating around 2014 and beginning her journalism work shortly thereafter), she is likely in her early to mid-30s as of 2025.
Where is Sharon Yoo Working?
Sharon Yoo is currently working at KING 5 Media Group in Seattle, Washington as a Race & Equity Reporter.
She joined the station in January 2024, bringing her experience in covering immigration, racial justice, and community-centered stories to the Pacific Northwest.
Summary Table
Category | Details |
---|---|
Full Name | Sharon Yoo |
Profession | Emmy Award-winning Journalist |
Current Role | Race, Equity & Immigration Reporter, KING 5 (KING-TV), Seattle, WA |
Specialization | Race, equity, immigration, and social justice reporting |
Birthplace & Upbringing | Born in Seoul, South Korea; raised in Singapore |
Ethnicity & Nationality | Asian (Korean-Singaporean); American citizen since August 2022 |
Age (Estimated) | Early to mid-30s as of 2025 (exact birth date not public) |
Education | B.S. in Journalism, Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism (2014) |
Parents & Siblings | Information not publicly disclosed; family resides in Singapore |
Marital Status | Not publicly confirmed; no verified information on husband or spouse |
Height & Weight | ~5’5” (165 cm); ~120–125 lbs (54–57 kg) |
Body Type & Measurements | Slim-athletic; estimated 32–34 (bust), 24–26 (waist), 34–36 (hips) |
Career Timeline | **KING 5 (Seattle, WA |
Awards & Recognition | Multiple Emmy Awards; recognized nationally for coverage of racial justice issues |
Net Worth (Est.) | $500,000–$1 million |
Annual Salary (Est.) | $80,000–$120,000 |
Personal Interests | Running, bouldering, walking her two dogs, caring for houseplants |
Community Engagement | Actively encourages viewers to share story ideas; uses social media to connect with audiences |
Where She Works Now | KING 5 (NBC affiliate, Seattle, WA) as Facing Race Reporter |
Sharon Yoo is active on social media:
X (Twitter): @SharonYooKING5
Instagram: @sharonyoo1
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