Brothers separated by Korean war reconnect after 35 years on live TV: 'I thought you were dead'

Wars can never be a solution for anything. While some may argue that wars between countries bring positive political shifts and technological advancements, these changes often come at a great, painful cost. The countless people lost in the war and the devastating destruction traumatizes people, leaving deep scars that last for generations. However, two Korean brothers who were separated during the Korean war, finally reunited on live TV after 35 years — all thanks to a show called 'Finding Dispersed Families,' aired by the state-run Korea Broadcasting System (KBS) in the 1980s. Their incredible reunion story was brought to light when someone anonymous (u/better-turnip-226) shared a part of the special programme's episode on Reddit.

In the video, the two brothers could be seen breaking down in tears when they realized they were related by blood. Initially, the Korean brothers tried asking each other family-related questions to verify their true identity, running through the names of their other siblings and other personal details. The longer they spent asking questions, the more obvious it became that they indeed were brothers by blood who never thought they would get to see each other again. "I thought you were dead!" Won Jong-mun said as realization hit him. "I almost died but somehow survived," Wong Jong-sam, his brother, said.

It was at this moment that the brothers could no longer hold their emotions as they broke down into uncontrollable tears. Won Jong-mun talked about running ads in the newspaper, trying to find his sibling, but nothing had worked in his favor until this moment.

The internet has been grieving its lost years. u/wildrabbitz commented, "It’s heartbreaking. Decades lost, and they never got to grow into adulthood together, start families of their own, or become uncles to each other’s kids. All of it taken by war." u/sakem99 shared, "I've binge-watched this 'show' before... it was initially just planned for a short time, but it stretched over a way longer time period than intended, and lots of people found each eachother! It's very touching and uplifting to watch. If you search on YouTube for 'Korean diaspora kbs' & pick the videos from the user with the same name, they have English subtitles as well." Similarly, u/bdubz777 commented, "My God, it's so touching; they've been through so much, but now they're together, and I hope nothing and no one will separate them this time." 

u/feignly_mad11 revealed, "This is so heartbreaking. I can’t go 35 days without talking to and annoying my sibling. 35 DAMN YEARS, they lost growing up together for no fault of theirs. This made me emotional." On the other hand, u/talkinrepressor commented, "Can’t imagine how many people will wander the earth wondering if the other person is still alive somewhere, never getting an answer. I’m happy for these two. They shouldn’t have had to go through this." u/acc8forstuff pointed out. "He was calling his 'hyungnim' so many times (which means 'big brother'). He really wanted to call his big bro using the honorifics after 35 long years of having no one."

u/baguhansalupa revealed, "My brother and I had a falling out years ago due to his a********. I love him dearly, but I've accepted that we've gone our separate ways, and it's for the better. Shit like this makes me jealous af." u/appropriatespite7881 wrote, "I lost my little brother last February, and this made me lose it a bit. What I'd do to have him back, or hope to see him again someday. I'm so happy for these two men. So much time lost, yet it's time they still have."