Visitors find contemporary Korean life in cafes, columnist says

Foreign visitors are finding a window into contemporary Korean life in the country’s cafes, according to a column published by The Korea Times. Author Choi Ji-a describes spaces that draw visitors for their atmosphere and everyday activity as much as their coffee.

The column presents cafe visits as a complement to traditional sightseeing: Historical attractions offer a view of Korea’s past, while cafes show how people socialize, work and spend their leisure time today.

Choi, CEO of O’ngo Food Communications, recounts asking a British food-tour participant named Conrad what he considered representative of Korea. He pointed to its coffee and cafe culture, according to The Korea Times column.

The appeal extends beyond what is served in a cup. Choi describes cafes that bring together carefully shaped interiors, lighting and music alongside desserts and service. Some operate in converted hanok houses or renovated breweries; others incorporate bookstores or galleries.

Those settings also accommodate everyday routines. People gather with friends, conduct meetings or settle in to study. Others read or work on laptops, making cafes places where visitors can observe contemporary Korean life, the column says.

Sarah, a visitor from Hong Kong, found that cafes in Seongsu, Cheongdam and Ikseon-dong differed in atmosphere and clientele. Choi recounts her interest in looking around those spaces to see how Koreans spend their days.

Korea imports most of its coffee beans and is not a major producer, according to the column. Choi’s account focuses instead on the cafe experience, including visitors who seek out particular spaces rather than simply somewhere to buy coffee.

The account is a columnist’s description of visitor experiences. It first appeared in the Hankook Ilbo and was translated using a generative AI system, then edited by The Korea Times.