A South Korean influencer living in Colombia has made an unusual public plea to the country’s head of state: help him become a citizen.
Zion Hwang first arrived in Colombia almost ten years ago intending to study Spanish for a short stint. Instead, he found himself falling for the country, building a life there, and staying far longer than he ever expected. Now a well-known content creator, Hwang recently used his platform to address President Abelardo De La Espriella directly, expressing deep gratitude and affection for Colombia and stating plainly that he has no intention of leaving.
In his message, Hwang asked the president for assistance in navigating the process of obtaining Colombian nationality, a path that can be complex for foreign residents even after many years in the country. His request quickly caught public attention, and according to reports, De La Espriella responded to the influencer’s appeal.
The exchange highlights a growing trend of foreign content creators building loyal followings in Latin America while documenting their personal journeys of adaptation and belonging. Hwang’s story in particular has resonated with Colombian audiences, many of whom have embraced him as an adopted compatriot after years of watching him share his life online.
To read the full story and see how the president replied, check out the original article at El Tiempo.
Source: Influencer le pidió ayuda a De La Espriella para obtener nacionalidad colombiana: Presidente le respondió (eltiempo.com). English version produced with AI assistance.
Image: RubyGoes, BY 2.0 (via Openverse).