Fu Bao's Emotional Farewell: The Homecoming of South Korea's First Giant Panda

The panda's farewell was marked by an outpouring of love and affection from Korean fans and zookeepers who had cared for Fu Bao since its birth. As the panda prepared to board a special charter flight to China, the people of South Korea took to social media platform, Weibo, to share their well-wishes and express their sadness at seeing the beloved creature leave.

One Weibo user wrote, "Fu Bao, you will always be my grandpa's panda baby. I hope you live a happy life in China, and I hope everyone who sees you is happy too!" Another user added, "I hope you always have a happy panda life, Fu Bao."

Fu Bao's journey back to China was not without its challenges, however. The panda's caretaker, known as Jiang Gege, expressed concern about how Fu Bao would handle the long journey back to China. Jiang Gege had been taking care of Fu Bao since it was just a cub, and the two had developed a strong bond.

In addition to the emotional farewell, Fu Bao's fans also took to the skies to show their support. Korean fans of the panda rented out a large digital billboard at Seoul's Incheon International Airport to show their love for Fu Bao and wish it a safe journey back to China. As Fu Bao boarded its flight to China, the panda's caretakers were by its side, ensuring that the beloved creature had everything it needed for the long journey home. The panda's caretakers even went so far as to place Fu Bao's food on a small table, rather than throwing it on the ground, in order to maintain the panda's dignity and sense of self-worth.

Fu Bao's return to China marks a significant milestone in the relationship between China and South Korea. The panda's journey back to China is a testament to the deep bond between the two countries and the shared love for one of the world's most beloved creatures. As Fu Bao begins its new life in China, it is clear that the panda will be deeply missed by its fans in South Korea. But for the people of China, the arrival of Fu Bao is a cause for celebration and a reminder of the strong bond between China and its Korean neighbors. As Weibo user @电影拆台君 put it, "Fu Bao, the most clever, beautiful, and adorable panda in the world, welcome home."