A Small NPM Story From Pakistan to Seoul

A few days ago, something very simple but very special happened to me as a developer.

I was working on a new project and wanted a specific name on npm for my package. When I searched, I saw that the name was already taken. The package existed, but it was empty and never updated.

At first, I felt a bit disappointed. Names matter when you are building something you care about. I really wanted that exact name.

But then I thought, instead of just feeling bad, why not try one simple thing, ask the owner.

Finding the Owner

I opened the npm page, checked the package details, and found the username of the owner. Then I started searching for that username on the internet.

After a bit of digging, I found Hamin Lee. So now I knew there was a real person behind this empty package. A developer from Korea.

Sending the First Message

I decided to send him a polite message.

I introduced myself, told him I am a developer and explained that I’m working on a new open-source project and would love to use that npm package name. I also mentioned that I noticed the package is empty and seems unused.

I tried to keep the message:

• Respectful
• Clear
• Honest

I did not expect much. People are busy. He didn’t know me. He had no reason to help me.

His First Reply

To my surprise, he replied.

His message was very kind and friendly. He said he was on his way home from work in Korea and that after dinner he would transfer the ownership of the npm package to me. He also wished me success with my work.

I was honestly shocked (in a good way).

He didn’t ask for anything.
He didn’t doubt my intentions.
He just trusted me and offered to give me the name.

The Transfer

Later, he messaged again and said he had sent me an invitation email for npm access. I opened my email, accepted the invitation, and became a maintainer of the package.

I replied back, told him I had accepted, and thanked him again.

Then he went one step further.

He removed his own access and transferred all remaining permissions to me, so the package became fully under my control.

His last message was very warm. He said he had transferred everything, wished that my work in Pakistan goes well, and sent greetings from Seoul.

Reading that line — “greetings from Seoul” — while sitting here in Pakistan made me smile. It felt like a small but real connection between two developers in two different countries, over one tiny npm package.

How It Felt

I’m not going to lie: I felt a bit overwhelmed.

For him, it may have been a small action that took just a few minutes. For me, it removed a block I had in my head and made me feel seen and supported by someone who doesn’t even know me.

In a world where we mostly see negative news, this was a very positive and human moment.

What I Learned

This whole experience taught me a few simple lessons.

1. Just Ask (Politely)

Many times we assume “it won’t work” or “they won’t respond”, so we never even try.

Here, the only reason this happened is because I sent that first message. I asked with respect and explained clearly what I wanted and why.

The worst that could happen was “no” or no reply at all. But the result was the exact opposite.

2. There Are Still Kind People in Tech

We talk a lot about tools, frameworks, and performance. It’s easy to forget that all of this is built by people.

This story reminded me that there are still kind, generous people in the developer community who are happy to help a stranger just because it feels like the right thing to do.

3. Small Actions Can Have a Big Impact

Clicking “transfer” on npm is a small action.

But for me, it:

• Gave me the exact name I wanted
• Removed a mental hurdle
• Boosted my motivation
• Made me feel grateful and more connected to the community

Sometimes we don’t realize how much a small gesture can mean to someone else.

How I Plan to Honor This

I don’t want this to be “just a nice story” that I forget after a week.

Here is what I plan to do:

• Take good care of this package and build something meaningful on top of it.
• Add a small “Thanks” or “Credits” section in the project README to mention Hamin Lee as the original owner of the npm package.
• Remember this moment whenever someone asks me for help in the future. If I can help with something small, I should.

So, to close this story:

• Thank you, Hamin Lee.
• Thank you for trusting a stranger from Pakistan.
• Thank you for your kindness and quick replies.

From Pakistan to Seoul: your small act made a big difference to me.

I hope one day I can do something similarly kind for someone else.