Kang Cheol-won va in pensione dopo 38 anni di lavoro con i suoi amati panda. Il noto custode 55enne di Everland chiamato “Kang Bao” ed ex “nonno di Fu Bao”, ha reso pubblico il suo ritiro attraverso video su TikTok dall’account Repubblica Dailiang.
Kang Cheol-Won Retires: His Career
Poche ore fa, su TikTok, è esploso un video diventato virale dell’ex “nonno” di Fu Bao, Kang Cheol-won. Il suo annuncio della pensione (presumibilmente nel 2029) dopo ben 38 anni passati a curare i panda giganti. Nei filmati recenti, Kang corregge un equivoco diffuso:
“Not 25, but 38 years of service!”.
While he cites his two books on the experience with these iconic animals. His adventure began in the 90s with the first pairs of pandas in Everland – repatriated in 1997 due to the Asian crisis – and continued in 2016 with the arrival of Ai Bao e Le Bao, parents of Fu Bao and of the twins Rui Bao and Hui Bao.
Birth of Fu Bao and the iconic moments
When Fu Bao was born, Kang recounts the daily push and pull to get her used to the environment:
“I did everything I could to make him feel comfortable in Everland.”
Those viral videos, in which Fu Bao clings tightly to her leg, have remained iconic among fans around the world. In 2024, despite a serious family loss, Kang accompanied her to China for her repatriation in April, not hiding his immense grief during the farewell ceremony. Today, Kang devotes herself to her twins Rui Bao and Hui Bao, with the same dedication as always.
“Do I work hard even in retirement? No, I give it my all until my last day.”.
Books and Legacy in Conservation
Kang Cheol-Won has also devoted himself to writing throughout his career. Among his bestselling books is "Fu Bao, Always Loving You." This story begins with Ai Bao's pregnancy and ends with the cub's repatriation, offering practical advice on how to approach shy pandas with patience and attentiveness. Kang has played a decisive role in the tourism boom in Everland and in the transition of giant pandas from "endangered" to "vulnerable," becoming a living symbol of Panda Diplomacy.
“Pandas remain my family.”.
The well-known custodian announced this, while fans flooded the comments with hearts and messages of gratitude for all the work done.