“There is no such thing as goodbye—because we’re family forever.”

From meeting a giant panda to the breathtaking moment of birth

The meaning of life and happiness told by Cheolwon Kang, a zookeeper who protected lives for 37 years

Features never-before-seen photos of the Bao family taken by Kang himself!

Special column: To Live as a Zookeeper

The essay collection I’m Fu Bao’s Happy Grampa shares the remarkable story of the Bao family as told by zookeeper Cheolwon Kang, also known as “Panda Dad” and “Panda Grampa.”

Kang writes and records every day based on his strict philosophy as a 37-year veteran wildlife caretaker. His first essay collection, I’m Fu Bao’s Happy Grampa, started from his diaries and records from long ago. Starting from the story of the first giant pandas Ming Ming and Li Li, the book takes the readers through the moment of Kang meeting Ai Bao and Le Bao in China in 2016, the previously unknown story behind the names of Ai Bao and Le Bao, the birth of our forever-baby panda Fu Bao and the extreme co-parenting years with Ai Bao, and the cheerful growth stories of Rui Bao and Hui Bao, Fu Bao’s twin sisters. Working day and night for the Bao family, Kang tells tender and affectionate stories that only he can recount. The essays are full of his love for Fu Bao as the panda prepares for her new journey in April 2024.

The book also features vivid photographs of the Bao family taken by Junghoon Ryu, a photographer in the Everland themed park, as well as unpublished photos of the Bao family that Kang took himself. The book’s last pages are dedicated to three special columns for aspiring zookeepers.

Interacting with animals enriches not only our emotions but also our lives as a whole. The heartfelt stories of the Bao family, bringing hope and comfort to the many through their very existence and their zookeeper’s close care for them, will deeply touch the readers’ hearts and move them to tears.

“I want to stand by the side of the animals I work with as a zookeeper who gains their trust. I wish to nurture their values and help them become shining stars in this world.”

_ From the Prologue

“Happiness is always by our side.”

A record of love and interaction with the Bao family, new and happy every day

I’m Fu Bao’s Happy Grampa consists of four chapters and special columns.

Part 1 tells the story of how zookeeper Kang met and parted with Li Li and Ming Ming, the first pandas in Korea before Ai Bao and Le Bao, and how Ai Bao and Le Bao adjusted to life in Korea. The chapter also includes photos of the panda couple right before arriving in Korea.

Part 2 follows the process of how Ai Bao and Le Bao met and became parents, the twists and turns that led to a baby panda birth and how she was named Fu Bao on the 100th day, and how Ai Bao transformed from a first-time mom to a veteran parent. The readers will find out how Ai Bao could have such a deep connection with Kang when she gave birth to Fu Bao to the point where the zookeeper was called Ai Bao’s “daddy.” The chapter vividly describes Kang’s special love for Fu Bao, the first panda born via natural reproduction in Korea, and the struggles and considerations of zookeepers caring for a baby panda for the first time.

Part 3 begins with baby Fu Bao taking her first steps and proceeds to grow up quickly to become completely independent of her mother, Ai Bao. The stories of Fu Bao maturing through each stage of development are packed with information helpful for understanding the unique characteristics of pandas.

Part 4 introduces the growth of Fu Bao’s twin sisters, Rui Bao and Hui Bao. Accompanied by lovely photos, the section unfolds the stories about Ai Bao’s second pregnancy that left zookeepers and veterinarians in deep conflict, their extreme parenting challenges of caring for the twins, and the growing spurt of Rui and Hui, who are now filling the Panda World with a different kind of charms and happiness than Fu Bao once did.

“Canola blossoms are the love of your grampa.”

To zookeeper Kang, Canola blossoms stand for “sincere love.” Kang has been doing this one thing every year at the end of February since Ai Bao and Le Bao came: planting canola flowers. All zookeepers come to work at dawn to plant the canolas in the pandas’ indoor playground. This is to show the pandas the canola blossoms that bloom from March to early May.

This year, they planted the flowers in early February, about 20 days earlier than usual—to show Fu Bao the blossoms. As a zookeeper, Kang always roots for Fu Bao every step of her way, but saying goodbye is not easy. In this epilogue, written the very last before Fu Bao’s new beginning in China, the readers can meet Kang’s final story and the message for Fu Bao. The accompanying special photographs add to the heartwarming tribute.

“A zookeeper is someone who makes the animals in their care shine the brightest!”

At the end of the book, Kang wrote special columns for those who want to become zookeepers or wish to connect with animals. He explains his philosophy and messages that “the thoughts of the zookeeper lead to the animal’s welfare,” as well as what it means to be a zookeeper, what attitudes and values one should have, and attitudes and tips on taking care of animals. The readers will discover his insights from his deep thoughts and experiences about life and happiness as a zookeeper.

Cheolwon Kang was born on July 18, 1969, in Jeollabuk-do and spent his childhood deep in the mountains. With a stream flowing in front of his house and a bamboo field stretched behind, he naturally became friends with plants and animals. After finishing high school, Kang began working as a zookeeper and his life with wild animals. He longed to gain specialized knowledge about animals and studied zoology in college, which also led him to study landscape architecture because he had to know more about plants, which are inseparable from animals. He also researched reproduction in graduate school to overcome the difficulties of reproducing apes. In 2016, he became in charge of Ai Bao and Le Bao and earned the nickname “Panda Dad.” Based on his knowledge and experience, he teamed up with several talented zookeepers and veterinarians to successfully breed giant pandas, and he is now known as “Panda Grandpa” after baby panda Fu Bao was born. Kang has learned to understand and embrace animals with different personalities and characteristics, and he continues to study as a zookeeper to share a deep connection with them.