Netizens in China have helped a RedNote user in the US reconnect with a long-lost Chinese classmate in just 22 hours. - Photo: SCMP composite/RedNot
BEIJING: After TikTok users in the US began flocking to the Chinese social media platform RedNote, a 21-year-old American “TikTok refugee” sought to reconnect with her long-lost Chinese classmate, known only as “Simon”.
With the help of Chinese netizens, she miraculously found him in just 22 hours, amazing many people online.
On Jan 15, Katharina Celia, 21, who had quickly amassed over 20,000 followers after joining RedNote, posted a heartfelt video seeking help from the Chinese community to reconnect with a Chinese classmate, Simon, whom she had not seen in seven years.
She said that she had attended a private Catholic school in the Midwestern US state of Iowa from 2017 to 2018, during which a Chinese exchange student named Simon joined her class.
Despite becoming best friends, they lost contact soon after he returned to China.
“I need all netizens on this app to find him. Simon I miss you, I miss our friendship,” she said.
RedNote is also known as Xiaohongshu in China, which means “Little Red Book”.
Her video went viral, attracting more than 45,000 likes and 4,000 comments at the time of writing, with many Chinese netizens eager to help the pair reconnect.
Under their suggestions, Celia shared an old photo of Simon, which was eventually seen by someone who knew him. They promptly informed him about the search.
In less than 24 hours, an online viewer claiming to be Simon left a comment under Celia’s video.
“Hello, everyone, I am Simon. I never imagined I would reconnect with my good friend from years ago like this. Thank you so much to everyone on RedNote who helped,” the viewer said.
Simon is currently a designer living in the US.
On Jan 20, he posted his own video responding to the search and expressing his deep gratitude.
“We are deeply grateful for all the help and attention everyone has given us during this time. We never imagined that we would reconnect through RedNote. I am truly grateful.”
Celia later told Red Star News that she and Simon had a video call on Jan 16.
“After all these years, we are reconnecting, chatting and reminiscing about old times. Maybe one day, we will meet again here in the US,” she said.
She also said that despite many Chinese netizens humorously encouraging them to “be together,” their relationship was purely platonic.
“I have been using translation apps to read every comment in Chinese,” she said, adding: “Many people wish for us to get together, but for me, this is just a very special friendship.”
The story resonated online.
One person said: “It is funny how they are both living in the US, but they needed a Chinese app and Chinese netizens to find each other!”
“Mission accomplished! Celia’s story of friendship is so touching!” said another.
While a third wrote: “Moments like this really make the world feel like a small village. These ordinary yet extraordinary stories happen every day.” - South China Morning Post
