My Dearest Fu Bao: A Miraculous Encounter, A Heartbreaking Farewell

After mommy panda Ai Bao and daddy panda Le Bao came to Korea in 2016, they were able to naturally give birth to a baby panda after four years. On July 20, 2020, Korea’s first giant panda baby Fu Bao was born. With everyone’s blessings and best wishes, Fu Bao lived under the love and care of her mommy panda and her zookeepers.

After Fu Bao started to toddle around, she grew enough to start clinging onto Zookeeper Kang’s leg, and soon grew big enough to play with Zookeeper Song. Under the CITES agreement that requires pandas to return to mate in their home country before the age of four, Fu Bao is confirmed to be returning to China, leaving many fans in sorrow. My Dearest Fu Bao will show audiences about her zookeepers preparing for their farewell.

The Bao family gained much fame in Korea by the love and care of their zookeepers. Fu Bao’s “Grampa” Zookeeper Kang, Zookeeper Song, and Zookeeper Oh are just some of the many people who worked day and night for the happiness and growth of the Bao family. Many people were touched by their interaction with the pandas. My Dearest Fu Bao is a documentary recording the last three months of their journey, their special relationship, along with the story of many people who love Fu Bao.

Director Shim Hyeong-jun comments, “I wanted to capture the zookeepers’ interaction with Fu Bao and the other pandas, while also highlighting the sincere and deep emotions of the farewell.”

Synopsis

“Hello, and goodbye.”
A miraculous encounter, a heartbreaking farewell.

After her miraculous birth in Korea, giant panda Fu Bao gained tremendous popularity and love from her fans worldwide. While her upcoming return to China is leaving fans in sorrow, her zookeepers continue their duty to make Fu Bao happy and solemnly start preparing her trip to China. As the expected day of farewell approaches, the zookeepers have to confront another unexpected farewell, and cannot but give in to the emotions they have been holding back. Knowing they must say goodbye soon, they cherish and treasure each day leading up to the farewell.

A touching and beautiful journey of Fu Bao and her zookeepers, from the miraculous first encounter to the last farewell.

Letter

Hi Fu Bao,

It’s me, your Grampa.
I can’t believe this day has really come.

You’ve given many people hope and joy from the moment you were born.
And you have received much love from many people since then.
The day has finally come for you to embark on your long return home.

Grampa is going to stay here to play with Rui and Hui, just as I did with you, Fu Bao.
I’ll be able to remember you by being with them.

I know it was hard for you during quarantine because it was mating season. I’m so proud of
you for enduring through. You’re finally a full-grown panda, having gone through all the stages
you need to go through. You’re a good girl. I’ll be with you on the journey to your new home.

I know and believe you’ll do your best wherever you are.
I’ll take good care of Ai Bao, Le Bao, and your twin sisters, so I hope you’ll also do fine over
there.

Don’t forget, whether you’re 10 or 100 years old, you’ll always be our baby panda.

Thank you so much for coming to me.
I love you, Fu Bao.

On the day of their farewell
A Letter to Fu Bao, from Zookeeper Kang Cher-won

My Dearest Fu Bao airs in Singapore Golden Village cinemas from 26 September 2024.

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