'My Dearest Fu Bao': Beloved giant panda's last days in Korea captured in documentary film

"My Dearest Fu Bao" covers the never-before-seen sides of Fu Bao and showcases candid interviews with zookeeper Kang Cheol-won.

Still cut from upcoming film ″My Dearest Fu Bao″ [ACOMMZ/EVERLAND RESORT]

It has been nearly five months since the beloved giant panda Fu Bao left her birthplace in Korea for China. The upcoming documentary film “My Dearest Fu Bao,” set for release on Sept. 4, aims to fill the void left by her absence.

Directed by Shim Jun and Thomas Ko, the film captures special moments during the three months leading up to Fu Bao’s departure. The film covers the never-before-seen sides of Fu Bao and showcases candid interviews with zookeeper Kang Cheol-won. Fu Bao’s family of pandas and other zookeepers of Korean theme park and zoo Everland also make an appearance.

“The story of Fu Bao was mostly consumed as entertainment,” said Shim at a press conference held in Lotte Cinema Konkuk University Station branch in Gwangjin District, eastern Seoul on Tuesday. “With this documentary, I wanted to offer a deeper exploration of the bond between the panda and her zookeepers at Everland, so I said yes when the offer came through.”

From left, zookeeper Song Young-Kwan, director Shim Jun and zookeeper Kang Cheol-won [ACOMMZ/BARUNSON E&A]

“There were so many people who said that Fu Bao gave them hope, courage and a new life,” said Everland's zookeeper Kang, who's been affectionately referred to as the grandfather of Fu Bao.“I was worried that those people might feel a void in their hearts after Fu Bao left, but I hope the movie will comfort them once more.”

Still cut from upcoming film ″My Dearest Fu Bao″ [ACOMMZ/EVERLAND RESORT]

Still cut from upcoming film ″My Dearest Fu Bao″ [ACOMMZ/EVERLAND RESORT]

The zookeeper said that he hopes the film makes people think deeply about the meaning of family.

“I hope this film gives families a chance to heal together during the upcoming Chuseok holiday," he said.

While the film mostly deals with the three months before the panda's departure, it starts with a sequence of animations to portray Fu Bao's backstory and what kind of relationship the zookeepers had with the panda.

Shim expressed the regret that he couldn’t start filming earlier but emphasized his intention to capture the fairy-tale quality of Fu Bao’s story. The animation dramatizes the story of Fu Bao’s parents, Le Bao and Ai Bao, and follows Fu Bao’s journey from her birth in 2020 to her rise as a national sensation under Kang’s care.

Still cut from upcoming film ″My Dearest Fu Bao″ [ACOMMZ/EVERLAND RESORT]

Fu Bao, born in Korea in 2020, was the first giant panda to be born in the country. Under the terms of an international agreement, all giant pandas must return to China at the age of four, regardless of where they are born. This mandate led to widespread concern among fans regarding Fu Bao’s well-being following her move to the Shenshuping Panda Base in China’s Sichuan Province, making her departure to China in April a significant moment for her many admirers.

The documentary also captures Kang’s emotional visit to the panda base, where he was granted time alone with Fu Bao. Kang addressed fans’ concerns, noting that the panda faced considerable stress during her relocation. “Fu Bao had to go through constant tension as she was transported and went through quarantine periods. It was her first time riding in planes and cars,” Kang explained. “It’s understandable that she couldn’t show only her best sides during that time.”

Still cut from upcoming film ″My Dearest Fu Bao″ [ACOMMZ/EVERLAND RESORT]

Still cut from upcoming film ″My Dearest Fu Bao″ [ACOMMZ/EVERLAND RESORT]

Despite the challenges, Kang urged fans to understand the difficulties Fu Bao faced during her transition.

“I think many fans were acting out of love for Fu Bao,” he said. “It would be great if they could understand what she was going through.”

Still cut from upcoming film ″My Dearest Fu Bao″ [ACOMMZ/EVERLAND RESORT]

BY KIM MIN-YOUNG [kim.minyoung5@joongang.co.kr]