Whiskers and Memories

I took this set of portraits during a magical visit to Roof Cat Me, a charming cat café tucked away in the heart of Myeongdong, Seoul. As a lifelong cat lover, I ended up spending a full hour in this cozy retreat, surrounded by nearly 20 beautifully cared-for cats, each one with a personality all their own. The café itself runs on a simple idea: you pay a small fee to enter and spend time with the cats, and if you want to feed them (which I highly recommend), you can purchase treats for a little extra. That’s when the real magic happens—suddenly you’re not just a visitor, but part of their world.

Though I wish I could have fit every cat I met into a single frame, I chose these three for a special collage—each one leaving a unique impression on me:

Left: This regal, long-haired Persian had a thick, luxurious coat and deep green eyes that seemed to look straight into my heart. What made this encounter so emotional was how much this cat resembled our beloved Karamel, who passed away a couple of years ago after spending 15 wonderful years with us. Seeing this familiar face stirred something deep—I realized just how much I missed him. If Karamel is still watching from above, I hope he knows: we always love you.❤️

Center: A sprightly short-haired cat, all rounded features and golden eyes full of mischief. I caught it mid-lick, tongue curling in a perfect frame of comic timing—a split-second that brought the whole photo to life. Its yellow collar with orange fruit prints made it look playful and a bit cheeky, like it knew exactly how cute it was.

Right: A Ragdoll with those classic glacier-blue eyes and a coat as soft as whipped cream. This one exuded serenity, with a quiet grace that made me pause. The delicate floral print on its collar suited its gentle nature, making it one of the room's most photogenic and calming presences.

Even though this collage only features three cats, the experience felt like spending time with old friends. The atmosphere, the care given to the animals, and that unexpected emotional moment—it all reminded me that the love we share with our pets never really leaves us. For anyone visiting Korea and craving some quiet companionship, Roof Cat Me is a must.