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Guarding Seosulla Street

The historic Seosulla Street that runs along the Jongmyo Shrine in Seoul was a patrol route for soldiers in the Joseon dynasty. Now, a family of orange cats wanders around and patrols the street.

Awards

Photographer of the Year Contest

2025

People’s Vote Award

Storytelling

Non Professional

Nominee

Storytelling

Non Professional

Guarding Seosulla Street

The historic Seosulla Street that runs along the Jongmyo Shrine in Seoul was a patrol route for soldiers in the Joseon dynasty. Now, a family of orange cats wanders around and patrols the street.

About Artist

Cyril Chan

Cyril is an American expat based in Seoul and a photographer in his free time. He enjoys street photography, and street cats are his favorite subjects. He began taking photos of street cats in Seoul after losing his beloved cat of 12 years to cancer. As he grieved the loss, he took long meandering walks around the city and, in the Seochon neighborhood known for its maze of alleys and traditional hanok houses, he encountered numerous street cats, beginning with a calico with a talent for standing straight up to receive a treat. Fascinated by their different personalities and their ability to survive, he began bringing along his camera to document the street cats of Seochon and, eventually, the street cats of other neighborhoods in the city of Seoul. He has photographed more than a hundred cats over the past year, attempting to capture their charm, mystery, and resilience throughout the four seasons.

Cyril Chan

Photographic Areas of Focus

Domestic Animals, Nature, Street

Location

South Korea

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