Fans of Fubao the panda are expressing their heartfelt farewells as they prepare to bid her goodbye upon her departure for China in April. Their emotional tribute takes the form of a subway ad, which has garnered widespread attention and gone viral. This touching homage to Fubao adorns the Hongdae entrance area of Mapo-gu, Seoul, where it serves as a poignant reminder of the beloved panda’s time in South Korea. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
SEOUL/YONGIN, Feb. 24 (Korea Bizwire) –As South Korea prepares to bid farewell to Fu Bao, the beloved giant panda mascot of Everland, a surprising trend has emerged among the country’s young adults.
Convenience store owners find themselves overwhelmed by the demand for “FuTong cards,” a playful abbreviation for the “Fu Bao Transportation Card.” Despite continuous efforts to restock, these coveted items sell out rapidly, leading to a cycle of sporadic availability that frustrates both store owners and eager customers.
The “Fu Bao POP T-money Card,” available exclusively at GS25 convenience stores, has become particularly hard to find due to its soaring popularity.
With two designs, “Fu Bao Yum Yum” and “Fu Bao Peekaboo,” priced at 6,000 won each—more than double the cost of a standard transit card and pricier than most celebrity or character-themed cards—these Fu Bao cards are a testament to the panda’s star power.
This transit card craze is part of a larger “panda fever” that has taken hold, especially among those in their 20s and 30s, as Fu Bao’s return to China approaches. The sentimental value of owning a piece of memorabilia featuring the panda, who was the first to be born through natural breeding in South Korea in July 2020, has turned these cards into “must-have” items.
This transit card craze is part of a larger “panda fever” that has taken hold, especially among those in their 20s and 30s, as Fu Bao’s return to China approaches. FuBao transportation cards are now available for purchase at GS25 Gangnam in Seoul, starting from February 21. (Image courtesy of GS25)
Fans trek from store to store and scour convenience store apps for stock, all in the hope of securing a card for their collection, despite having no practical need for it.
Fu Bao’s story adds an emotional layer to this phenomenon. The panda, set to celebrate its fourth birthday in July, is part of a long-standing practice where China loans giant pandas to zoos worldwide as a gesture of goodwill and international cooperation in wildlife conservation.
According to agreements aimed at preserving endangered species, pandas like Fu Bao are returned to China before they turn four to ensure they can participate in breeding programs aimed at increasing the panda population.
In another testament to the enduring appeal of Fu Bao, the fourth installment of the photo essay series titled “I Am Fu Bao’s Happy Keeper” has quickly climbed the bestseller lists in South Korea.
Just one day after its reservation sales commenced, the book claimed the top spot on major bookstore charts, including the prestigious Aladdin online bookstore, where it debuted as the number one comprehensive bestseller.
This latest volume offers an intimate glimpse into the life of the “Panda Keeper,” Kang Cheol-won, through a collection of previously unreleased photographs of the Bao family, coupled with three special columns aimed at aspiring zookeepers.
The immediate success of the book highlights the deep connection and affection the South Korean public holds for Fu Bao, mirrored by the overwhelming response to a comment promotional event held by Aladdin, which garnered nearly 1,500 entries overnight.
Fubao, the adorable panda, takes a leisurely stroll through the snowy landscape of Everland in Yongin, Gyeonggi-do, on the crisp afternoon of February 22. This delightful scene unfolds just weeks before her anticipated return to China in early April. (Image provided by Everland)
Aladdin representatives expressed their amazement at the fervent interest and sentimental farewell wishes for Fu Bao, underscoring the panda’s significant impact on readers and animal lovers alike.
Fu Bao’s photo essays have consistently captivated audiences since last year, with titles like “Happy Daily Fu Bao” being voted into the top ten books of the year by Aladdin readers in 2023.
Subsequent releases, including “The Omniscient Viewpoint of Fu Bao”, have also enjoyed bestseller status, further solidifying Fu Bao’s place in the hearts of the South Korean public.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
