South Korea bids farewell to beloved celebrity panda Fu Bao as she departs for China
Since her birth in 2020, Fu Bao has captured the hearts of South Koreans, with fans closely tracking her journey at Everland Resort's Panda World in Yongin city. As she leaves for China, the nation mourns the departure of their first celebrity panda.
Fu Bao has been a popular celebrity in South Korea since she was born in 2020. Fans have been closely following her life milestones at Everland Resort's Panda World in Yongin city.
Now, the beloved giant panda is getting ready to say goodbye to South Korea in April. Plans are being made for her to move to her new home in China.
During the final week of Fu Bao's public viewing, visitors had to wait for 5-6 hours to see the celebrity bear for just five minutes. The park limited viewing times to handle the large number of visitors, as per park officials.
On March 2, Fu Bao's last day of public viewing, she was given farewell gifts. These gifts included a panda family doll made from bamboo, a bouquet of flowers, and heart-shaped pieces of bread from her devoted keepers at Everland.
Fu Bao fandom
Born to parents Ai Bao and Le Bao in July 2020 as part of China’s “panda diplomacy” program, Fu Bao is South Korea’s first naturally-bred panda.
In the days after she was born, Everland kept fans entertained with lots of adorable Fu Bao videos on their social media. Their YouTube channel has over 1.2 million subscribers and has reached over 500 million views by February, as reported by the park.
A special two-hour video showing Fu Bao's growth from birth to childhood was uploaded to Everland's YouTube channel eight months ago. So far, it has captured the hearts of 1.6 million viewers.
The channel's latest videos are now brimming with heartfelt messages from viewers, including the beloved cub's self-proclaimed "online aunties."
One Youtube comment reads, "Fu Bao, you're a happy treasure that came to us like a miracle during the difficult Covid pandemic."
Some South Koreans said Fu Bao provided them with moments of joy during the pandemic.
Some South Koreans said Fu Bao provided them with moments of joy during the pandemic.
Courtesy Everland
“Your auntie’s been so happy to have known you and you made me smile so much. You’re a clever one so I’m so sure you’ll do well in a new environment!”
One person mentioned how quickly time flies, feeling sad about saying goodbye to Fu Bao but supporting and loving her. They expressed gratitude for the joyful moments shared with laughter.
Fu Bao's popularity has not only brought attention to her, but also to her devoted zookeeper who has now become a social media sensation.
Often known as her grandpa, Kang Chul-won shared a heartfelt farewell message for Fu Bao. He mentioned that the special bond between the Korean people and Fu Bao started with social media videos during the Covid pandemic when the zoo was closed.
In a YouTube video, Kang expressed how Fu Bao brought joy and comfort to a society struggling during the pandemic.
He mentioned to the press recently that he felt like he was "raising her together with them" because people visit social media sites every day.
The baby panda, FuBao, was eager to play with her mother, HaBu, at Everland's Panda World.
Kang mentioned that while Fu Bao had her cute and playful moments, her caretakers showed a lot of love for her and experienced similar emotions while raising her during challenging times.
It may be difficult to pinpoint one specific social media post that made Fu Bao a star, but there are a few videos that have resonated strongly with viewers.
Fu Bao holds onto Kang's leg tightly in a video, not wanting to release her grip as he moves around the room. After several tries, he is able to break free from her strong embrace.
In another video, Fu Bao is seen clinging to Kang's arm while they both sit on a wooden bench. As Kang tries to reach for his phone in his pocket, the panda holds onto his arm firmly with her arms wrapped around his left arm.
After he motions to show something on the phone to her, she rolls onto her back.
WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 21: Male giant panda Xiao Qi Ji lounges in his enclosure before eating an ice cake for his third birthday at the Smithsonian National Zoo on August 21, 2023 in Washington, DC. This is the last year that the National Zoo is celebrating the birthdays for the three giant pandas, Mei Xiang, Tian Tian, and Xiao Qi Ji as they are scheduled to return to China later in 2023, with no replacements expected to be exchanged. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
Xiao Qi Ji, the male giant panda, was seen relaxing in his enclosure at the Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington, DC. It was his third birthday celebration, and he was about to enjoy an ice cake. This year marks the final birthday celebration for the three giant pandas - Mei Xiang, Tian Tian, and Xiao Qi Ji. They are set to return to China later in 2023, and there are no plans for new pandas to take their place. (Photo by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)
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Fu Bao's next adventure awaits as Everland announced that she will be moving to the China Conservation and Research Center for the Giant Panda in Sichuan Province in early April.
Everland will be keeping her in a separate space at Everland Panda World for a month. This is to help her adjust to her new environment before her upcoming overseas transfer, which will follow international regulations.
As per the agreement between Samsung C&T, the parent company of Everland, and the China Wildlife Conservation Association, mature pandas need to be returned to China before they reach four years of age.
Once Fu Bao departs for China, there will be four giant pandas left at Everland – Fu Bao’s mother Ai Bao, father Le Bao, and their twin babies Rui Bao and Hui Bao, who were born last July.
Editor's P/S:
The departure of Fu Bao, South Korea's beloved giant panda, marks a bittersweet moment for the nation. Her extraordinary popularity, captured through heartwarming social media videos, has brought immense joy and comfort to the Korean people, especially during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic. Fu Bao's natural cuteness, playful antics, and her unwavering bond with her zookeeper, Kang Chul-won, have captivated the hearts of millions.
As Fu Bao prepares to embark on a new chapter in China, her legacy will continue to inspire and uplift those who have witnessed her remarkable journey. Her story serves as a reminder of the unbreakable connection between humans and animals, and the power of nature to bring people together. Fu Bao's departure is not only a farewell but also a reminder to cherish the irreplaceable moments and the profound impact that animals can have on our lives.
