On February 6, a video titled “Looking for Cops and Robbers | Cops and Robbers by Lee Young Ji” was uploaded to the YouTube channel Channel 15ya. Recently, a unique trend has emerged among younger generations in Korea where strangers gather to play real-life versions of the childhood game “Cops and Robbers.” Often nicknamed the “President of the MZ Generation”, Lee Young Ji joined the trend by recruiting participants to play together, attracting huge attention with an astonishing 100,000 applicants.
The event was produced as part of Channel 15ya’s content, with Lee Young Ji energetically announcing the start by shouting, “Lee Young Ji’s Cops and Robbers!” On-screen captions even described it as a “large-scale cops and robbers party”, adding a humorous touch.
However, despite the overwhelming interest, disappointment followed. Of the 100 participants selected from the applicant pool, only 77 actually appeared on the day of filming. A total of 23 people didn’t show, even after beating odds of nearly 1,000 to 1. The production team had prepared game equipment and commemorative gifts, including T-shirts, bags and other items, for all 100 attendees, making the empty seats even more noticeable.
Spectators did not hold back their frustration. Many criticized the no-shows, commenting that it was irresponsible to skip after being selected, especially when the conditions – including weekday hours and compulsory attendance – had been clearly established in advance. Others pointed out that, even taking into account the unavoidable circumstances, 23 absences were excessive, especially considering the effort and cost needed to prepare gifts for everyone.
Despite the setback, the event ended on a warm and meaningful note. At the start of the game, Lee Young Ji handed the participants money as “bounties”, which collectively amounted to ₩258 million. He later revealed the total, reminding everyone that the more money they raised, the more good they could do. Taking it a step further, Lee Young Ji decided to round up and donate a total of ₩300 million.
Under the name “Lee Young Ji’s Cops and Robbers,” the donation was distributed to Seoul Metropolitan Children’s Hospital, Asan Medical Center Children’s Hospital, and the Korea Leukemia Children Foundation, turning what might have been remembered for disappointment into a moment of genuine generosity and social impact.
Sources: Nate
