"Crossed the Line" Everland Reacts Fiercely to Malicious Comments Against Grandpa Pubao

Four-Year-Old Pubao Going to China Early Next Year
"Worried About Pubao... Should Not Criticize the Caretakers"

Everland expressed concern as the level of malicious comments criticizing Kang Cheol-won, the caretaker of the panda 'Pubao,' exceeded acceptable limits.

On the 30th, Everland issued a statement through the YouTube channel 'Ppupa TV,' saying, "Many people are worried about the recent changes in Pubao's environment," and added, "We appreciate the love for the Bao family, but the excessive criticism and heated comments directed at the caretaker personally are becoming a cause for concern."

PubaO. [Photo by Yonhap News]

They continued, "Even if comments are not direct slander or profanity, please refrain from posting remarks that cause discomfort or unpleasantness to others," and "Posts targeting and criticizing others are also subject to this. Such comments will be monitored by administrators and deleted accordingly."

Pubao is scheduled to be returned to China early next year. According to the Washington Convention, China owns all pandas worldwide and exports them by lending them overseas. Although Pubao was born in Korea, ownership belongs to the Chinese government, so he must return to China around the age of four, when he reaches adulthood, for breeding activities.

Caretaker Kang is a veteran who has managed various animals at Everland for 35 years. Since 2016, he has cared for 'Lubao' and 'Aibao,' who came to Korea to commemorate Everland's 40th anniversary. In 2020, he succeeded in the first natural birth of a panda in Korea, resulting in Pubao. This year, he also achieved natural birth of twin pandas 'Ruibao' and 'Huibao.'

Recently, Pubao has received nationwide love, with Everland's open runs and broadcasts featuring Pubao achieving high viewership ratings. On the 31st, SBS will air the 'Year-end Special National Healing Show - Pubao and Grandpa Special,' sharing the last day of 2023 together.

Meanwhile, netizens responded, "The caretakers know and love Pubao the best. I hope people who are not experts do not hurt others with criticisms based on human standards and over-immersion," and "The criticism toward the caretakers seems so heated that Everland's legal team should intervene. I hope the armchair experts who think they are Pubao's parents come to their senses."