[Insta Walk] Picture Frame Shop with Cats - 'Nyangnyangi General Store' for Cat Owners

Yeontral Park Alley Treasure Trove
Cat Entering Pop Art Frame
Complete Collection of Cat-Illustrated Products: Plates, Eco Bags, Tumblers...

Unique Music Calling 'Nyangnyang~'
Charm from the Moment You Open the Shop Door

At the entrance of the 'Picture Frame Shop with Cats,' a fabric poster of a cat is displayed. Photo by Heo Midam damdam@asiae.co.kr

[Asia Economy Reporter Heo Midam] If New York has Central Park, Korea has Yeontral Park. Until just a few years ago, Yeonnam-dong in Mapo-gu, Seoul was nothing more than a quiet residential area. Yeonnam-dong, which used to be peaceful, rose as a hot place for people in their 20s and 30s starting from May 2016, after the Gyeongui Line abandoned railway was transformed into a green forest path. Unique cafes, exotic restaurants, and distinctive select shops sprang up along the quiet alleys, turning this place into a playground for young people. Especially, the charm of Yeonnam-dong lies in finding hidden shops in its maze-like alleys. As you weave through the narrow alleys searching for unique stores, you lose track of time. One of the beloved spots among young people is the “Picture Frame Shop with Cats” tucked away in these alleys. This place, which collects and sells cat-related products, is like a treasure trove for cat lovers. It also attracts many Instagrammers who roam around looking for distinctive accessory shops. If you walk about five minutes along the alley from Exit 3 of Hongik University Station on Subway Line 2, you will arrive at this cat-filled place.

The shop stands out even from afar due to its distinct personality. The large fabric poster of a cat on the entrance door and the cat doll guarding the entrance are enough to catch the attention of passersby. Peeking inside out of curiosity, you will find paintings of cats filling every corner of the shop. The sight of cats dressed in various outfits like raincoats, tuxedos, and red capes naturally brings a smile. True to its nickname “Cat Accessory Shop,” you can find distinctive cat images on various products such as plates, eco bags, and tumblers. Even the background music is cat meowing sounds. Cats “meow~” along to classics like Michael Jackson’s “Heal the World,” and the unique music often makes customers burst into laughter. Perhaps because of the cat music lingering in the ears, while browsing the shop, one might recall the Japanese animated film “The Cat Returns,” which tells the story of a girl invited to a cat kingdom.

On one side of the store, cat pop art frames and others are hung, catching the eye. Photo by Heo Midam damdam@asiae.co.kr

This place reflects the owner’s special affection for cats. Choi Bonghee (45), the owner and caretaker of three pet cats, introduced the shop as “a small accessory store created by my wife and me, who love cats, where you can listen to ‘meowing’ music 365 days a year.” As the shop became famous, local residents started calling Choi “Gosajang.” He explained, “It means ‘cat shop owner,’ and I’m often called ‘Gosajang.’ I find that nickname endearing and fun.”

Although it is now known as a cat accessory shop, when it opened in 2017, it was a space specializing in selling pop art picture frames. Choi decided to open the shop without much hesitation because he wanted to introduce various pop art works to others. However, the shop was practically deserted. Sometimes only one or two customers came all day. From then on, Choi, who was a self-proclaimed “cat enthusiast,” began bringing cat accessories into the shop one by one. “Since it’s a space where I spend all day, I thought I should be happy and enjoy myself first, so I brought cat accessories and decorated the shop,” he said. As more customers showed interest in cat products, the space occupied by related items gradually expanded. Choi joked, “I like pop art paintings, of course, but looking back, I think I liked cats more.”

Various types of bowls featuring cat illustrations. Photo by Heo Midam damdam@asiae.co.kr

The shop carries all products featuring cats. It stocks hard-to-find items such as “Nyangtu,” a cat-themed Hwatu card game, and mobiles with cat paintings. The reason for having so many unique products is purely Choi’s passion for cats. He said that he and his husband once traveled to Japan to visit an artist’s studio to purchase cat artworks they liked. They decided to go to Japan after falling for the works of Pepe Shimada, an artist who mainly paints cats. This led to a close relationship with the artist, and the couple even invited him to their home when he visited Korea. It was a unique connection made possible by cats. Choi said, “My relationship with Shimada has deepened, and we continue to collaborate, such as producing eco bags with his paintings. The more products filled with memories we have, the greater the satisfaction.”

Perhaps because of its distinctive charm, many customers are drawn into the shop as if hypnotized while walking through the alley. Choi, who said he “tries to decorate the store a bit eccentrically,” explained, “I put cat dolls in front of the store and hang fish-shaped dolls at the entrance to create fun elements. Customers often try to express their feelings, saying it’s an easily imaginable storyline.” Among the customers attracted by this vibe, quite a few share cat-related concerns with Choi, who is a cat expert. He said, “We share good information with customers, talking about how to handle sick cats and which snacks are good.”

What kind of existence is a cat? Many studies and analyses have been conducted worldwide on this topic. Jin Joong-kwon, a former professor at Dongyang University turned political commentator, also published a book about cats a few years ago. Choi’s definition is as follows: “It may sound clich?, but cats are beings that make you realize what it means to be comfort and strength just by their presence.” Choi’s words, “My husband and I often talk about how our lives would have been if we hadn’t met cats,” reveal his love for cats. We look forward to the “cat world” he will continue to create.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.