Most people imagine cats-the beloved "meow stars" or "cat masters"-as creatures who eat well, sleep well, and spend their days simply eating, sleeping, and pestering their human servants. Such a blissful life makes many people wish to be reincarnated as a cat in their next life.
However, on Instagram, there is a famous cat named Pancho who, despite being well cared for and having no worries about food or shelter thanks to devoted cat servants, wears a perpetually gloomy expression that seems to say, "Life as a cat is so hard!" This melancholic face has earned Pancho a following of 96,000 fans on Instagram.
Pancho was originally a stray cat found by his current owner 13 years ago. Since then, he has lived a life free from want. Yet, whether due to the shadows cast by his stray past or simply his nature, Pancho has never shown the carefree happiness one might expect from a well-treated, pampered cat. Instead, he constantly wears a sorrowful, worried expression.
This listless, melancholic demeanor has touched many hearts. Especially his look of seeming sleep deprivation and existential despair resonates deeply with many, reminding overworked office workers who must return to weekend shifts of their own fatigue and disillusionment.
Although it is known that well-treated house cats usually have few worries in their "cat lives", Pancho's sorrowful face evokes a strong sense of empathy and curiosity. It makes people wonder: what kind of struggles is he facing? Why does he appear so exhausted and world-weary?
