Koreans Are Devastated By The Departure Of Panda Fu Bao—And The Reaction Of Her “Grandfather”

Fu Bao is considered one of the most popular non-humans in the entire South Korea.

She is a giant panda that was born on Korean soil in July 2020. Her parents, 10-year-old female Ai Bao and 11-year-old male Le Bao, were loaned to the country from China in 2016 as part of their “panda diplomacy.”

On April 3, 2024, fans officially bid Fu Bao farewell as she began her journey back to Beijing, China, as part of the contract with the other country.

No expense was spared when it came to her safety—she was transported in a high-tech non-vibrating vehicle typically used for semi-conductors.

중국 웨이보에 올라온 비행기 타는 푸바오
아기야 낯선 여행이 조금 두려울 수도 있지만 할부지가 곁에서 지켜주실거야 잘다녀와
: https://t.co/mzjAiir4wY pic.twitter.com/68znbvZshd

— 더쿠 (@kokorella2) April 3, 2024

Despite knowing she was safe, the sadness of those who followed Fu Bao’s journey was not eased. The one who was most upset was likely Kang Cheol Won, the main caretaker of Fu Bao.

A clip of him saying goodbye to the panda has since gone viral on social media. Even with Fu Bao enclosed in the truck and unable to see him, he couldn’t seem to let go. He returned to the vehicle and leaned his head on it in sorrow.

[Video could not be displayed]

He stayed in this position for several seconds before forcing himself to leave.

[Video could not be displayed]

The post on X (Twitter) showcasing this scene has already garnered over 1.6 million views and 20,000 likes in just a few hours.

송바오님 푸바오한테 마지막 인사하시는데 너무 슬퍼어…..
푸야 잘가 사랑해 ㅠㅠㅠㅠ pic.twitter.com/3CMP1XXkbY

— 드람 ෆ (@_drama_watching) April 3, 2024

Earlier that day, Kang Cheol Won read out a goodbye letter to the panda which was filmed and aired. Like a father, he expressed his sincere wishes that she will settle in well in China and meet good friends including her new zookeeper. He also promised that he’ll see her once again in the future.

You will be forever my baby panda, even after 10 or 100 years. Thank you for coming to grandpa. I love you, Fu Bao.

— Kang Cheol Won

-할부지가 널 두고갔다고 원망할지도 몰라
-그치만 너는 잘 적응할거고
-좋은 친구와 잘해주는 사육사 선생님도 만날거야
-그리고 많이 사랑받으며 행복할거야 분명히
-다시 널 만나러 꼭갈게
-하나도 슬프지않고
-하나도 힘들지 않았던것처럼
-푸바오, 우리는 또 그렇게 만나자
-안녕 푸바오, 사랑해 pic.twitter.com/N1Jyt2U51n

— 바오 (@baro_oneul) April 2, 2024

Around 6,000 people waited in the rain to say their goodbyes to the panda, with thousands more following the broadcast online.

푸바오 가는 길에 에버랜드에서 정우가 부른 이젠 웃으며, 안녕 틀어줬어 pic.twitter.com/fe7PxcW9Rt

— 루댕 (@itsobokday) April 3, 2024

Fu Bao will be missed.