In pictures: Social media sensation Breanna Youn

The National
  • But then the followers started coming in droves. At the last count, they numbered 780,989 with an average 30,000 new followers joining every day. Courtesy @officialbreannayoun/instagram
    But then the followers started coming in droves. At the last count, they numbered 780,989 with an average 30,000 new followers joining every day. Courtesy @officialbreannayoun/instagram
  • One mystery benefactor — who prefers not to be identified — even flew the Youns to the UAE. The family is now hoping to make a permanent home in Dubai, thanks to a huge Middle Eastern fan base. Courtesy @officialbreannayoun/instagram
    One mystery benefactor — who prefers not to be identified — even flew the Youns to the UAE. The family is now hoping to make a permanent home in Dubai, thanks to a huge Middle Eastern fan base. Courtesy @officialbreannayoun/instagram
  • Perhaps what makes her so popular is that Breanna wears her heart on her sleeve and is completely comfortable living her life in public, in front of a camera — much as the glare of publicity on one so young might leave the older ones among us slightly discomfited. Delores Johnson / The National
    Perhaps what makes her so popular is that Breanna wears her heart on her sleeve and is completely comfortable living her life in public, in front of a camera — much as the glare of publicity on one so young might leave the older ones among us slightly discomfited. Delores Johnson / The National
  • Half Korean, half Filipina, she speaks four languages — English, Korean, Tagalog and some Arabic — and her videos show her zipping seamlessly between all four with Breanna often signing off by saying “bosaah” (kisses in Arabic). Courtesy @officialbreannayoun/instagram
    Half Korean, half Filipina, she speaks four languages — English, Korean, Tagalog and some Arabic — and her videos show her zipping seamlessly between all four with Breanna often signing off by saying “bosaah” (kisses in Arabic). Courtesy @officialbreannayoun/instagram
  • Her popularity first began rising a year ago, when her mother joined Facebook and posted pictures of her photogenic daughter. At the time, the family was living in Busan in South Korea, where Breanna’s Korean father, Junghyun, 34, was running his seafood business. Courtesy @officialbreannayoun/instagram
    Her popularity first began rising a year ago, when her mother joined Facebook and posted pictures of her photogenic daughter. At the time, the family was living in Busan in South Korea, where Breanna’s Korean father, Junghyun, 34, was running his seafood business. Courtesy @officialbreannayoun/instagram
  • She began a Breanna fan page, which drew more than 165,000 fans, then started posting six-second videos on a Vine account, which quickly attracted 250,000 followers, many from the United States. But it was when she started an Instagram page for Breanna that she was swamped by fans, mostly from the Middle East.
    She began a Breanna fan page, which drew more than 165,000 fans, then started posting six-second videos on a Vine account, which quickly attracted 250,000 followers, many from the United States. But it was when she started an Instagram page for Breanna that she was swamped by fans, mostly from the Middle East.
  • Most of her followers in the region are from Saudi Arabia. Breanna has had invites to present on game shows and model everywhere from Bahrain to Indonesia, while her fan base has spread as far afield as Malaysia, Kuwait and Singapore. Delores Johnson / The National
    Most of her followers in the region are from Saudi Arabia. Breanna has had invites to present on game shows and model everywhere from Bahrain to Indonesia, while her fan base has spread as far afield as Malaysia, Kuwait and Singapore. Delores Johnson / The National
  • The Youn family: father Junghyun, mother Jocelyn, Breanna, and Braxton. Delores Johnson / The National
    The Youn family: father Junghyun, mother Jocelyn, Breanna, and Braxton. Delores Johnson / The National
  • The children are simply happy to be in Dubai, where they are treated like royalty. Breanna says: “I love Dubai more than Korea, even though it is very hot.” Courtesy @officialbreannayoun/instagram
    The children are simply happy to be in Dubai, where they are treated like royalty. Breanna says: “I love Dubai more than Korea, even though it is very hot.” Courtesy @officialbreannayoun/instagram
  • The Youns, who are living in a temporary rented apartment, are hoping to find a permanent home soon. Courtesy @officialbreannayoun/instagram
    The Youns, who are living in a temporary rented apartment, are hoping to find a permanent home soon. Courtesy @officialbreannayoun/instagram