Missing Persons

China’s pioneering missing persons website, “China 寻亲网,” established in 2000 with over 57,000 reports, has abruptly shut down. This closure sparked debate, with some accusing commercialized “seeking relatives” KOLs of contributing to its demise. While early websites like “宝贝回家” and CCTV reality shows once dominated, short-video platforms now reign. The efficiency of these KOL-driven searches is now under scrutiny as users question their motives and the ethics of profiting from family reunions. Concerns arise about authenticity and the potential for exploitation.