Koreans Waited 5 Hours for the Last 5 Minutes... Foreign Media Also Surprised by Pubao's Popularity

Giant Panda 'Fubao' Leaving China Next Month
CNN "Top Celebrity... Koreans Are Sad"

The story of Giant Panda Pubao, who is leaving for China amid the interest and affection of the entire nation, is also attracting attention from foreign media. On the 11th (local time), the US CNN reported, "Koreans are saddened by the departure of Korea's first 'celebrity panda' Pubao to China," stating, "Since Pubao was born in 2020, he has been one of Korea's most famous celebrities. His enthusiastic fans visited Everland Panda World to follow every milestone of Pubao's life."

On the morning of the 3rd, the last day for Fubao to meet the general public, zookeeper Kang Cheol-won is feeding Fubao a carrot at the indoor enclosure of Panda World in Everland, Yongin. Photo by Joint Press Corps

Pubao was born in July 2020 at Everland, between the pandas 'Leobao' and 'Aibao,' who were sent by Chinese President Xi Jinping in March 2016 as a symbol of Korea-China friendship. As Korea's first native-born giant panda, his name means 'a treasure that brings happiness.' Thanks to the dedicated efforts of 'Grandpa Pubao,' zookeeper Kang Cheol-won, who successfully facilitated the pairing of Pubao's parents and eventually helped mother Aibao give birth, Pubao gained great public love. More than 7,000 visitors came daily to Everland Panda World to see Pubao.

On the 3rd, visitors are waiting to enter Panda World at Everland in Yongin-si, Gyeonggi-do, to see Fubao, who is being shown to the public for the last time. Photo by Joint Press Corps

CNN noted, "This giant panda, the most famous and beloved in Korea, is saying a final farewell to Korea as he returns to China this April," adding, "Visitors who came to say goodbye to Pubao willingly waited 5 to 6 hours just to see him for about 5 minutes." They also introduced YouTube videos featuring Pubao, reporting that farewell messages such as "Pubao is a happy treasure who miraculously appeared during the difficult COVID-19 pandemic," "I was so glad to know you," "Pubao is smart, so I am confident he will do well in the new environment," and "I am sad to see Pubao go" continue to appear in the comment sections.

CNN also stated, "Zookeeper Kang Cheol-won has become a social media star due to Pubao's popularity," adding, "There are several videos that made Pubao a popular star, but videos showing Pubao linking arms and hugging Kang the zookeeper were especially popular among fans."

In accordance with the international convention on endangered wild fauna and flora, Pubao will be sent to China on the 3rd of next month and will live at the Giant Panda Conservation Research Center in Sichuan Province. Currently, he is reportedly undergoing quarantine preparations, including pre-adaptation training to the transport cage, inside Panda World.