On December 13, 2019, Song Zia, a Dance Department major, uploaded her graduation project on YouTube, which reached more than 750,000 views. As one of her most popular uploads, this video proved Song’s rising popularity as a model, YouTuber, and social influencer. Right now, Song has more than 250,000 subscribers on YouTube and 210,000 followers on Instagram. The most interesting part of her YouTube channel is the frequent appearance of Hanyang Seoul campus on the V-logs.

Q. Please briefly introduce yourself and your YouTube channel.

A. I am Song Zia, a Dance Department major in the Class of 2016. This year, I turned 24. Currently, I am working as both a model and an influencer with my YouTube channel named FreeZia.

Q. What motivated you to start modeling?

A. I have enjoyed taking pictures since I was very young. When I moved to Seoul for college at age 20, I got a part-time job as a fit model, which turned out to be successful and made me who I am today. Starting as a fit model, I have done advertisements in various areas such as cosmetics, diet products, contact lenses, sunglasses, and more.

Q. How do you feel about your accomplishment as a YouTuber?

A. When I first started YouTube, I already had a number of followers on Instagram. At first, I thought it would be easy to gain subscribers but soon learned that I was wrong. It was only after I uploaded my closet tour video, which reached over 1,400,000 views, that the channel began to thrive. I am so grateful to have reached over 230,000 subscribers in 5 months. I hope my videos can spread positive energy to the subscribers and make them forget about their worries even for just a minute.

Q. How do you wish to inspire the world as a social influencer?

A. My definition of the word ‘influencer’ is someone who can make changes in other people’s lives. Because a large fraction of the viewers on YouTube are children, I want to make sure the contents I create are both appropriate and informational. I even heard that many elementary schoolers aspire to be YouTubers. Taking this into consideration, I want to share as much information as I can to be helpful to others. Once again, I hope I can spread positive energy.

Q. Do you have any advice for YouTuber rookies?

A. I would tell them to give it a chance without hesitation. I know I am still young, but I have always tried everything that I ever wanted to. People should not fear to fail because they will regret if they give up even before trying. It is also important for a YouTuber to know his or her strengths and likings because one of the main tasks of a YouTuber is to share his or her specialties to other people.