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Neukgu has captured the public’s imagination after being recaptured 9 days after escaping Daejeon’s O-World. Now, the city is even weighing the idea of turning him into an official mascot.
On April 20, Mayor Lee Jang-woo asked officials at a weekly meeting to look into adding Neukgu as a new member of Daejeon’s signature “Kkumssi Family” character lineup.
He ordered an urgent inspection of O-World’s facilities and called for measures to prevent a repeat incident. He also urged stronger traffic and safety planning ahead of the early-May holiday stretch, including Children’s Day.
Neukgu is currently recovering in isolation at O-World’s animal hospital. The park says it will reunite him with his wolf family in the safari after the virus incubation period—up to 10 days—has passed.
The “Neukgu craze” has already swept the city. Since April 17, LG Electronics’ Daejeon flagship Best Shop has been running “Neukgu, thanks for coming back” on its giant billboard, while local bakery Harehare launched a Neukgu-themed bread on April 18, limited to 100 loaves a day.
Among sports fans, Neukgu has become a viral “victory fairy” meme. Hanwha Eagles supporters noticed the team broke its losing streak around the time Neukgu was captured and have playfully suggested renaming the team the Hanwha Wolves.
A Daejeon Urban Corporation official that manages O-World said the wolf safari will reopen only after staff inspect and repair holes in the enclosure and confirm there are no safety concerns, with a target reopening before the early-May holidays.
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