”My Dear Hu Bao”, a record of the love and miracles of a Korean-born panda and its caretakers, has released a video message from director Shim Hyun-jun and comments from celebrities

Distributor Fine Films will be showing "My Dear Hu Bao" (original title: Hello, Grandpa) at Shinjuku Musashinokan, Human Trust Cinema Yurakucho, and Cine on Friday, April 18th.
The film will be released nationwide, including at Libre Ikebukuro. Director Shim Hyun-jun's video message and comments from celebrities have now been released.
◆The Ai Bao and Lo Bao came to Korea in 2016 and have been breeding naturally since then.
On July 20, 2020, the first giant panda born in South Korea during the COVID-19 pandemic, Hu Bao, was born at Everland, the largest ARMY amusement park in South Korea.
She is a superstar who has been attracting worldwide attention since she was young. As her name "Happiness-Giving Treasure" suggests, she has brought heartwarming comfort and healing to many people during the pandemic.
The star panda has been loved and admired by the whole of Korea, so much so that director Shim Hyun-jun said, "She may have been more of an idol than an idol, and more of a celebrity than a celebrity."
Nicknamed "Princess Panda," she attracted a lot of attention both at home and abroad as the person who started the panda boom in Korea, and even now that she has returned to China, her every move is still closely watched.
◆This time, a video message from director Shim Hyun-jun, who directed "My Dear Hu Bao", has been released.
The director said that he had received many messages from fans eagerly awaiting the release, and expressed his deepest feelings by saying, "The film that was released in September last year will be released in Japan on April 18th."
The director visited the Shinjuku Musashinokan, where the film is being screened, and signed posters and in-theater decorations. "I actually went to the theater, and it was a really nice space. I'm glad that the fans enjoyed the film," he said.
"I hope everyone will come and watch this heartwarming story," he said, giving his stamp of approval to the atmosphere. While depicting the inevitable separation between Fu Bao and his caretakers, the film also portrays the strong bond and love that is apparent in the screenplay.
"I hope this film will help people realize what is important," he concluded. In addition, comments from celebrities about the film were also released.
The guests include actor Ryohei Otani, who is a friend of Director Njun, Kabuki actor Tsubame Nakamura, who is known for his love of pandas, writer and radio personality Minami Fujioka, model and panda ambassador Hana, and artist
Ayane Fujisaki, Atsuko Nakagawa of the group "tupera tupera" who worked on the popular picture book "Panda Sento", and picture book author and illustrator Shibata, known for the "Panda's Spoon" series.
KEI and Takao Nakagawa, the artist who worked on "Panda Dad", have sent supportive comments filled with personal highlights and good sense. <Comments from celebrities (in no particular order/titles omitted)>
I was fascinated by Fu Bao's cuteness from start to finish, and I could feel the warmth of the zookeepers' overwhelming love for Fu Bao.
I hope Fu Bao will always be in love with him. This is a wonderful film that reflects the kind personality of Director Shim. Ryohei Otani (Actor)
Fu Bao, you were so cute in the movie!
Never forget the kindness and love you learned from your two playful and wonderful grandpas, Mr. Kang and Mr. Song!
May the happiness of Fu Bao continue with the scent of rape blossoms! Nakamura Tsubadama (Kabuki actor) To love is to plant rape blossoms. To call and tell someone you care.
Before the inevitable separation, tears flowed straight down my face, wondering what I could do for someone important to me. Maybe they become similar when they are together. The pandas and the keepers are both gentle and calm.
They are so cute and adorable! Minami Fujioka (Writer, Radio Personality) Why are people so enthusiastic about and moved by pandas? Pandas are clearly more special than other animals.
The black and white design? The round shape? The cuteness of their movements? The answer may be found in this movie. tupera tupera Atsuko Nakagawa (Picture book author)
He was just like a baby, climbing trees and playing with his boots! He understood human language better than I expected, which was amazing. The exchange between Fu Bao and the zookeeper was just like the conversation between me and the cats.
It's a heartwarming hour and a half that shows the bond between family members that goes beyond blood ties. I want all mankind to see it! Ayane Fujisaki (Artist) I realized that I felt like I was with Fu Bao just like Mr. Kang and I was in tears.
I couldn't stop thinking about him. Our time together is limited. That's why I love him so much. Fu Bao has a mysterious charm that warms my broken heart like a hot water bottle.
I will never forget the form of love that you taught me. Keiko Shibata (Picture book author and illustrator)
If you want to see pandas at the zoo, be sure to watch this movie before you go.
It will definitely change the way you look at pandas and their keepers! This is a wonderful movie that conveys the bond and love between the Bao family and the keepers who raised Hu Bao, the first naturally bred panda in Korea.
Takao (Painter) The last day of viewing Fu Bao. Seeing my Korean friends crying, I remembered the day Xiang Xiang left for China.
Not "goodbye" but "have a nice trip" - words born from loneliness. A work that supports Fu Bao's departure,
I want all my fellow panda lovers to watch this! Hana (model, panda ambassador) Not just Fu Bao, but all the animals around us give us boundless, unconditional love.
What do we feel and how do we act from that? That is what is being questioned. Nao Matsuzaki (Singer-songwriter)
Directed by: Shim Hyun-jun, Thomas Ko Starring: Fu Bao, Ai Bao, Lo Bao, Rui Bao, Hui Bao, Kang
Cheolwon, Song Young-kwang 2024 / Korea / Korean / Color / 94 min. Distributor: Fine Films Eirin: G Tokyo Metropolitan Government Recommended Film Original title: Hello, Grandpa
Nationwide release from April 18th (Friday) at Shinjuku Musashinokan, Human Trust Cinema Yurakucho, Cine Libre Ikebukuro and other theaters