In the dark, YouTubers oversee a stranded shark in a South Korean canal.

In South Korea, a group known as jagyeongdan, reminiscent of a neighborhood watch, has taken it upon themselves to protect a stranded shark named Bukang-i in Busan's harbor. Since becoming trapped in a city canal on September 18, Bukang-i, a 3-meter-long endangered dusky shark, has become a national celebrity, attracting over 1.6 million visitors. This is a significant increase from the usual 2,000 visitors the park drew on a busy Saturday.

The group, primarily composed of YouTubers, patrols the waterfront nightly to prevent disturbances. They livestream the area and call out anyone using lights that could startle the shark. Choi Won-jin, one of the shark’s protectors, explains that they deal with "lantern villains" who use fishing lamps or campsite lights. The shark has been injured, as confirmed by the national institute of fisheries science, likely due to a visitor's torch.

Despite 105 officials from seven agencies reportedly monitoring the shark, Choi and his fellow protectors claim responsibility falls on them after dark. The waterfront is closed to the public from midnight to 5 a.m., but enforcing this across the park proves challenging.

Efforts to guide Bukang-i back to the sea have been paused to avoid distress. Her movement may increase as cooler water approaches, with her preferred temperature range being 18°C to 26°C. Below 15°C, her physiological functions decline, and survival becomes precarious at about 11°C, expected by mid-November.

The shark's presence has sparked interest, leading to a surge in local sales and even a commemorative soju. South Korea’s president visited the canal in mid-October.

Choi and others believe the shark should be left alone until she leaves on her own. Kim Jong-hwan, who watches over her by day, shares this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of letting her rest until conditions prompt her departure.