Everland is holding an online and on-site public vote from Tuesday through Aug. 30 to choose a name for its baby giant panda. [Everland]
Everland is holding an online and on-site public vote from Tuesday through Aug. 30 to choose a name for its baby giant panda. [Everland]

Everland, the resort arm of Samsung C&T, announced Tuesday it will hold a nationwide public vote from Tuesday through Aug. 30 to choose a name for the newest addition to its panda family.

A first-round online name submission campaign held last month drew more than 10,000 entries, reflecting strong public interest in the cub.

From the names submitted by customers, a naming committee made up of zookeepers, veterinarians and staff from related departments selected five finalists for the public vote.

All five candidates carry the "bao" (treasure) syllable shared by the panda family: Jubao (a treasure as precious as pearls or jewels), Junbao (a treasure that is outstanding and handsome), Linbao (a treasure as precious as beautiful jade), Yubao (a treasure watched over and blessed by all), and Shubao (a treasure as bright as the light of dawn).

The vote is open to everyone through the Everland app and at Panda World through Aug. 30. The Chinese Embassy in Seoul is also hosting the naming vote on its social media channels. The winning name will be announced in September, when the cub turns 100 days old.

The cub — born in June — is the fourth female giant panda born in South Korea, following Fubao in 2020 and twins Ruibao and Huibao in 2023. A recent health checkup showed her weighing about 3.7 kilograms, more than 20 times her birth weight of 171 grams.

"We ask for your enthusiastic participation and support in the online and on-site vote, so that our youngest panda — born amid the warm attention of the public — can receive a cherished name and grow up healthy," an Everland official said.


jeongwan@heraldcorp.com