Samsung C&T Resort Group, which runs the theme park and zoo Everland in Yongin, Gyeonggi-do Province, on Nov. 30 said the picture of mother Ai Bao with her babies Rui Bao and Hui Bao made Time's Top 100 Photos of 2023.

Every year, the magazine selects 100 snapshots that greatly resonate with people around the world.

The only one from Korea to make the list, the photo has the caption reading "Giant panda mother Ai Bao and her newly born female twin pandas, the first to be born in the country, at Everland Amusement and Animal Park in Yongin, Korea, on July 7."

Asked for the reason for the selection, an Everland staff member said, "This photo appears to have conveyed hope and emotion along with the mystique of life to people worldwide." 

Conceived through natural birth, Rui Bao weighed just 180 g and Hui Bao 140 g when entering the world, but their weights have grown to over 8 kg each.

Everland expects the twins to grow and live stably from early next year, with in-person public viewing of them to come after they undergo an adaptation process.

Their growth process is available for viewing on online platforms like Everland's official YouTube channel (www.youtube.com/@withEverland) and Talking Zoo PPUPPA TV (www.youtube.com/@ppuppatv/featured).

scf2979@korea.kr