Jonathan Thona Yiombi (Korean: 조나단 토나 욤비; RR: Jonadan Tona Yombi; born February 1, 2000) is a Congolese (Democratic Republic of the Congo) entertainer based in South Korea.
Personal life
He is the second son of Yiombi Thona, a former politician and diplomat in the Democratic Republic of Congo. On February 13, 2008, Jonathan fled to South Korea with his mother and siblings after his father was recognized as a refugee through a trial.[1] He lived in Incheon for 5 years[2] then moved to Gwangju when he was in the 6th grade of elementary school. On January 26, 2024, he declared to naturalize as a Korean citizen.[3] As of May 2024, he still maintains his citizenship in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. In August 2019, he mentioned on Radio Star that 'Yiombi' was his last name and that his full name was 'Jonathan Yiombi'.
^Kim, Cheol-seon (November 12, 2019). 난민출신 '콩고 왕자' 조나단 한국외대 합격..."수능 준비중" ['Prince of the Congo' Jonathan, a refugee, was accepted to Hankuk University of Foreign Studies..."Preparing for the college entrance exam"]. Yonhap News (in Korean). Retrieved May 6, 2024.
^인천에 정착한 콩고 왕자 욤비씨 이야기 [The story of Mr. Yombi, a Congolese prince who settled in Incheon]. Yonhap News (in Korean). February 10, 2013. Retrieved May 6, 2024.
^Kim, So-jeong (January 27, 2022). '콩고 왕자' 조나단, 한국 귀화 결정..."가능하다면 군대도" ['Prince of the Congo' Jonathan decides to naturalize in Korea... "If possible, even the military."]. The Chosun Ilbo (in Korean). Retrieved May 6, 2024.
^Park, Pan-seok (March 12, 2022). 첫방 'Zㅏ때는 말이야' 윤후X준수→래원X조나단, 제멋대로 아날로그 생존기 시작 [First Broadcast 'Generation Z Self Survival' Yoon-hu x Jun-su → Rae-won x Jonathan, Analog survival begins]. The Chosun Ilbo (in Korean). Retrieved May 7, 2024.
^Kim, Han-na (January 23, 2022). '복면가왕' 조나단 "관 들어가기 전 큰일 할 듯" [King of Masked Singer Jonathan "I think I'm going to do something big before I go into the coffin."]. Sports Kyunghyang (in Korean). Retrieved May 7, 2024.
^Shin, Yeong-seon (March 23, 2023). '한블리' 급발진 의심사례 또...900m 질주하다 전복 ['Han Moon-chul's Dashcam Review' Another suspected case of sudden acceleration...overturned while running 900m]. Hankooki (in Korean). Retrieved May 7, 2024.
^Oh, Myeong-eon (January 12, 2024). 남매가 함께 짝 찾는 '연애남매' 3월 첫선...이진주 PD 연출 ['My Sibling's Relationship', in which siblings find a partner together, premieres in March...Producer Lee Jin-joo]. Yonhap News (in Korean). Retrieved March 28, 2024.
^tvN D, 조나단의 '동네스타K' 내일 공개 [tvN D, Jonathan's 'Neighborhood Star K' Revealed Tomorrow]. Yonhap News (in Korean). March 11, 2022. Retrieved May 7, 2024.
^Baek, Ji-eun (January 19, 2022). '콩고왕자' 조나단, 3년만에 '라스' 금의환향... 가비와 찰떡케미 ['Prince of Congo' Jonathan, Golden Return at 'Radio Star' After 3 Years.. Perfect Chemistry with Gaby]. The Chosun Ilbo (in Korean). Retrieved May 7, 2024.
^Kim, Seon-woo (June 1, 2021). '라켓소년단' 신정근, 첫 등장부터 남다른 존재감 '신스틸러' ['Racket Boys' Shin Jung-geun, a 'scene stealer' with a unique presence from the first appearance]. Sports Seoul (in Korean). Retrieved May 7, 2024.
^Kim Hyun-sik (December 25, 2022). "활약 못한 후보들에 감사" 신동엽, 10년 만에 대상 품었다(종합)[2022 KBS 연예대상]" ["Thanks to the candidates who were not active" Shin Dong-yeop, 10 years later, the grand prize (comprehensive) [2022 KBS Entertainment Awards]] (in Korean). E-Daily. Retrieved May 6, 2024 – via Naver.
^Moon, Ji-yeon (June 24, 2024). "[공식] '무빙'·'SNL코리아' 최다 노미..제3회 청룡시리즈어워즈 후보 격돌" [[Official] 'Moving' and 'SNL Korea' most nominated..Candidates clash for the 3rd Blue Dragon Series Awards]. Sports Chosun (in Korean). Retrieved June 26, 2024 – via Naver.