The talk of the town in Korea lately is undoubtedly none other than Fu Bao, the darling panda from Everland Zoo.

But here’s the catch - Fu Bao’s set to head back to China come April 4th.

Fu Bao is now over the age of three, and under a lease agreement between Korea and China, she must return to China to breed before the age of four.

This obligation, though diplomatic, has stirred a mixture of pity and apprehension among Korean fans.

While parting is inevitable, skepticism toward China is the biggest reason for many.

Previous incidents involving deceased pandas, notably Fu Bao’s grandmother Xin Nier, have left scars of distrust.

Xin Nier was born on September 28, 2007, in a Sichuan sanctuary.

Afterwards, she was moved to Bifengxia wildlife training base for breeding and training, and gave birth to a female baby Ai Bao (Fu Bao’s mother) on July 13, 2013 to Lulu.

When Xin Nier was 8 years old, she tragically passed away at just eight from a nasty case of intenstinal obstruction.

It is a disease in which intestinal function is stopped, making passing stool impossible.

This ailment is common among pandas, who struggle to digest the bamboo they consume, with approximately 70% of it passing through their digestive organs.

It stands as the leading cause of death among pandas.

This condition is nearly incurable for pandas, with surgery being the only treatment option.

During wild adaptation training at the Hutaoping Wild Training Zone, Xin Nier showed symptoms of vomiting in early February.

Medical staff took CT scans and performed emergency surgery, yet her condition had already deteriorated and eventually she died without being completely cured.

Instead of a proper send-off, Xin Nier ended up as an exhibit in a museum, her body all dissected and on display.

Moreover, there have been stories about mistreatment of pandas in Chinese zoos.

Videos circulating showing zoo staff tossing bamboo at defenseless pandas, even hitting them on the head.

Korean Fu Bao fans are worried that Fu Bao might suffer the same fate.

Yet, amidst these concerns, Fu Bao’s rise to stardom in South Korea remains a testament to her irresistible charm and symbolic significance.

Fu Bao came into the world on July 20, 2020, to parents Lubao and Ai Bao.

Ai Bao was a panda sent by Chinese President Xi Jinping to Sangjin in March 2016, aiming to promote friendly relations between Korea and China.

As the first giant panda naturally born in Korea, Fu Bao captured hearts with her cute appearance and endearing demeanor.

While living at Everland’s Panda Land, Fu Bao has received a great deal of affection from visitors, and has been affectionately called “Yongin Pu C,” “Pu Gong Ju,” and “Put Tun.”

This phenomenon spurred a wave of merchandise and even led to the establishment of a successful pop-up store in The Hyundai Seoul department store.

From plush toys to commemorative books, Fu Bao merchandise flew off shelves, generating over a billion won in sales during its 13-day pop-up.

This strong adoration demonstrates how much Fu Bao means to her fans in Korea, who are now worried about what will happen to her in another country.

Allen Kim
Grade 9
St. Johnsbury Academy Jeju