Korean YouTuber reunites missing man with family after finding him on stream

A South Korean YouTuber helped police track down a missing man and reunite him with his family after unexpectedly crossing paths with him during a livestream.

2ro2, who has over 143,000 YouTube subscribers, was broadcasting live on the streets of Gwangju when he approached a man in a blue jacket. The man told him he was a 23-year-old college student and claimed his military service had been postponed, despite clearly appearing middle-aged.

The brief, awkward exchange might have ended there, but one viewer quickly sent 2ro2 a missing-person alert issued on November 14. The notice described a 44-year-old man surnamed Kim, and the match was immediate. His age, clothing, and exact location all aligned with the person 2ro2 had just spoken to.

Realizing the man was likely the missing individual, 2ro2 contacted authorities and tried to stay close without alarming him. He gently played along with the man’s confusion about his age, attempting to keep him talking while relaying updates to police. Although the man initially walked away, the creator continued to follow at a distance and updated officers on his movements.

Police soon arrived, confirmed his identity, and facilitated his return to his family.

Korean YouTuber and viewers locate man from missing person alert

The case has sparked conversation in South Korea about the growing impact of digital alerts and community-driven intervention in finding vulnerable individuals.

The country sees tens of thousands of missing-person cases annually. A government report released in May counted 49,624 reports in 2024, including 8,430 people with mental or cognitive disabilities.

According to The Independent, authorities did not disclose details surrounding Mr. Kim’s disappearance but noted that the incident highlights how livestreamers, online communities, and fast reporting can play a crucial role in locating at-risk individuals.

This isn’t the first time a streamer has helped solve a missing-person case. In 2024, Fortnite stars Cody ‘Clix’ Conrod and FaZe Clan’s Lacy unknowingly spoke to a missing boy during an IRL stream in Miami. The boy’s brother recognized him in the footage and contacted Lacy the next day.

The teen, who had been missing from Michigan for three months, was later found again and transported safely back home.