Meow-tain and Sea

My cat Namu loves to sit by the yard or the window, watching birds. Even just a few sparrows are enough to make his eyes go wide as he watches them for ages. Seeing this, Halbae had a thought: "A cat who loves birds this much — imagine how happy he'd be somewhere with tons of them!" So this episode's imaginary adventure sends Namu and Halbae to Eulsukdo, Korea's largest migratory bird sanctuary. What Kind of Place Is Eulsukdo? Eulsukdo is an island at the mouth of the Nakdong River in Saha-gu, Busan, formed over centuries as soil and sand carried by the river settled and built up. It was once known as the largest migratory bird sanctuary in East Asia, and in 1966 it was designated a Natural Monument. Every year, from early November through early March, tens of thousands of migratory birds — mallards, whooper swans, bean geese, black-faced spoonbills, and more — arrive here from as far as Siberia. Right now (September), it's not quite peak season yet, but if ...

Grilled squid, grilled fish — it doesn't matter. Namu won't so much as glance at human food. No matter how good it smells, she won't set a paw on the table. About the most she'll do is sniff the air once while passing by. Whenever we sit down to eat, Namu usually heads for her own bowl, or if not that, she just stares out the window. Sitting across from Halbae at mealtime, I'll glance over and catch her looking anywhere but the table — so composed I sometimes wonder, "are you even a cat?" But the moment the meal ends and a water cup shows up on the table, everything changes. As soon as that cup lands on the table, Namu hops right up. She's so indifferent to human food, and yet so determined about that one cup — I still don't quite get it. Sometimes when the water's low and her tongue can't reach, she'll dip a paw straight into the cup to check. Watching her carefully stir the water around with that little paw is so cute that Halbae ca...

Every October, Busan comes alive with movie fever — thanks to the Busan International Film Festival (BIFF), the largest film festival in Asia. Now in its 31st edition, the 2026 BIFF runs for ten days, from Tuesday, October 6th through Thursday, October 15th, centered around the Busan Cinema Center, with additional venues in Centum City and the BIFF Square in Nampo-dong. In an earlier post, we introduced the Cinema Center in detail — including its iconic " Big Roof. " Today's story picks up right where that left off, following Namu on an imaginary early visit to the upcoming festival. The real thing is still about a month away, but since this is an "imaginary adventure," we got a little head start. If you're planning to visit in October, think of this episode as your preview. Arriving beneath the Big Roof, Namu is once again awestruck by the sheer scale of the structure stretching overhead like a sky of its own. Before long, she notices something different i...

Our cat Namu has an obvious favorite — and it's Halbae (Grandpa). Like a "Dog Whisperer" or "Horse Whisperer," Halbae seems to have Namu completely figured out. He doesn't have that magic touch with other cats, but Namu alone hangs on his every word and turns into the gentlest little lamb whenever he's around. Halbae really might be the true Namu Whisperer. The evidence is everywhere. Even a simple churu treat gets a different reaction depending on who's holding it. When my mom (Halmae) or I give her one, Namu eats it standing up — one bite, and she's already halfway to walking away, like she's just grabbing a quick snack before heading off. But when Halbae offers her a churu? She goes straight to his usual spot, sits down, and settles in like she's planning to stay a while. Calling her works the same way. When I call "Namu!" or Halmae calls "Namu~," she barely reacts. But when Halbae calls her? No matter what sh...

Our Imaginary Adventure series started with Halbae's wish to explore Busan together with Namu, and so far we've wandered through mountains, the sea, and bustling markets. This time, I wanted to show that Busan isn't just about mountains and coastline — it has a beautiful river too. So this trip takes us to Samnak Ecological Park, one of Busan's favorite riverside escapes, where we cycle along the Nakdong River, pass through reeds, lotus ponds, and cosmos fields, and end the day watching the sunset. Samnak felt like the perfect fit for Namu. Most of our imaginary destinations so far have been lively, crowded spots, but this one is quieter — a stretch of riverbank still close to nature. At home Namu is calm and composed, but out in the yard she perks right up, tail twitching the moment she spots a bug or a lizard. With its reed beds, wetlands, ponds, and even a protected habitat for the endangered Boreal Digging Frog, I couldn't help but imagine how wild she'd g...

There are moments with pets that stop your heart. Namu has always been a calm, well-behaved cat who never causes trouble — but there is one incident from about five years ago that still brings tears to my eyes just thinking about it. Namu was around one year old at the time. I got a call saying Namu had collapsed, foaming at the mouth. I left work early and rushed to our usual vet by taxi — only to find a line so long it would have been over an hour's wait. When I finally arrived, Namu was sitting on Halbae's lap, completely drained of energy. Even for a naturally calm cat, seeing her that limp and lifeless was heartbreaking. I heard the full story then. The usual vet had too long a wait, so Halbae had run to another clinic 200 meters up the hill. Halmae suggested waiting for a taxi, but Halbae just started running. With Namu's carrier — Namu weighs over 5 kilos, plus the weight of the carrier — carried by a 75-year-old man, uphill. Halmae said she couldn't keep up even...

Isn't the heat this summer just brutal? Day or night, it's hard to even catch a breath. So for this Imaginary Adventure, we decided to head somewhere cool — a seaside temple, Yonggungsa, that offers a completely different vibe from your typical beach. We actually mentioned this place briefly back in June, but that post only touched on Yongmungyo Bridge and the meaning behind the 108 steps. This time, since Namu and Halbae actually walk through it together, let me introduce it in more detail. Choosing Yonggungsa for this trip felt like a natural choice. Unlike Beomeosa, the quiet mountain temple Namu and Halbae visited back in Episode 6, Yonggungsa is a temple where waves crash right at your feet — and that felt perfect for Namu. You know that curious expression she gets, half-scared of water but unable to look away? I can only imagine how wide her eyes would go standing right in front of the sea. Right at the entrance, you're greeted by the Twelve Zodiac Guardians — impos...

 Cats are mysterious creatures. They seem to spend most of their time doing absolutely nothing — but sometimes, they're more diligent than any person in the house. And when Halbae starts moving, Namu's little paws get busy too.  She wants to be part of everything he does. Tail held high, she hovers near his side. When a delivery box arrives? She's already there before Halbae even touches the tape. She stretches her neck to see what's inside, then settles quietly beside him, watching every move he makes. And the moment the box is emptied? She climbs right in — as if she personally needs to approve it before anything else can happen. The same goes for laundry. Namu doesn't wander far — she follows Halbae right over. She finds her spot next to the neatly folding pile of clothes and watches his busy hands with those wide, serious eyes. And sure enough, the moment the laundry basket is empty, in she goes. When Halbae moves to the kitchen sink, Namu is right behind him. S...

This time, Halbae and Namu's imaginary adventure takes them to Jagalchi — and honestly, it was Halbae's idea all along. Halbae absolutely loves grilled fish and raw fish. As a true Busan person living by the sea, his eyes light up at the sight of fresh seafood. Jagalchi isn't just a market to him — it's a place full of delicious memories. Picture Halbae sitting down in front of a plate of fresh sashimi, the happiest man alive. And right beside him, naturally, is Namu. So what happened when Namu came face to face with a market full of live, wriggling seafood? Let's find out! 💡Satoori Spotlight  : 천지빼까리 (cheon-ji-ppae-kka-ri) "물고기가 천지빼까리제?"  (Fish everywhere you look, huh?) 천지빼까리 (cheon-ji-ppae-kka-ri) is a beloved Gyeongsang-do dialect expression meaning "there's an enormous amount of something — as far as the eye can see." The phrase paints a picture of abundance so vast it fills the space between heaven and earth. It's the kind of wo...

Episode 10 - Namu's Busy Day Cats have their own routines. Sure, they spend most of their time sleeping — but when Namu is awake, she keeps herself very busy. And her mornings always begin with the sound of Halmae's familiar footsteps. Namu lies next to the still-sleeping Halbae, ears perked up and alert. She waits patiently until one of them stirs. Quietly, she listens for the faint sound of movement from inside the room. The moment she hears it, she rises contentedly from her spot. She stretches — one long, satisfying stretch — then heads toward the sound. Soon after, Halbae emerges from the room. True to his no-nonsense nature, the very first thing he does every single morning is walk straight to Namu's litter box and quietly crouch down to clean it. Without fail, every day, he tidies it up for her. He may seem gruff on the outside, but his devotion to Namu never wavers. And wherever Halbae goes, a little orange shadow is never far behind. Namu's eyes follow his e...

When we sit together in the living room and chat, the conversation always finds its way back to Namu. Whenever a new episode of "Namu and Halbae" is finished, we watch it together — recording the satoori lines, laughing at the panels, and talking about where the next imaginary adventure should take them. Halmae always says with a smile that if it weren't for Namu, Halbae wouldn't say a word. And honestly, watching how his whole demeanor changes the moment Namu comes up in conversation, I think she's right. Choosing Beomeosa for this episode felt natural. It's not far from home — a place we've visited together on quiet days when we just needed a bit of fresh air and a change of scenery. Halmae has always loved the mountains, but her knees have been giving her trouble lately, and that weighs on me. Halbae isn't really a mountain person himself, but he'd always go for Halmae's sake without a second thought. And I know — he'd do the same for N...

Episode 9 - Lost and Found A peaceful afternoon sun fills the quiet living room. Halmae stands at the kitchen sink, washing the lunch dishes. The cool sound of running water echoes through the calm house. It is a perfectly ordinary, relaxing day in Busan. Suddenly, a tiny, faint sound cuts through the running water. It is a very soft, sad meow. Halmae freezes and turns off the faucet. She looks around the kitchen, but the house is completely still. Halmae searches all of Namu's favorite spots. She checks the sunny living room window. She looks under the bed and inside the wardrobe. But our gentle ginger tabby is nowhere to be found. Her heart instantly sinks with worry. Halmae throws off her rubber gloves and rushes outside. She runs into the narrow alleyway, calling out for Namu. Where could our sweet baby be? Will Halmae find her safely? 💡 Satoori Spotlight: 아이가? Introduce the unique Korean expression featured in the episode: "아이가?" ([A-i-ga?]) "Right? / Isn'...

Episode 5 - Namu's Brave Step Every weekend, when we sit together in the living room and talk, the conversation always finds its way back to Namu. Whenever a new episode is finished, we watch it together — Halbae, Halmae, and me — recording the satoori lines and figuring out where the next imaginary adventure should take them. Last time, Namu and Halbae soared above the green mountains on the Geumjeongsan cable car. We'd done the mountain — so this time, I thought it was time for the sea. Wide, open, and blue. That's how we ended up at Oryukdo Skywalk: a glass-floored walkway perched over the cliffs, with nothing but ocean beneath your feet. Even in imagination, the thought of a spring breeze off the sea is enough to make your heart lift. So — where will Namu and Halbae's brave steps take them today? 🐾 💡 Satoori Spotlight: 안아주꾸마 In this imaginary adventure, Halbae comforts a frightened Namu with a very warm regional phrase. "안아주꾸마" ([An-a-ju-kku-ma]) ...