5 Cafés Run by K-Pop Stars and Their Families

3-Line Summary

— Cafés operated by BTS, WINNER, Super Junior, and EXO family members are currently open across Seoul and Busan

— These spaces function as offline extensions of each artist's world — not just places to grab a drink, but cultural experiences fans can physically step inside

— Global fan communities share these locations as essential stops on their "K-pop pilgrimage" itineraries when visiting Korea

As Hallyu's reach continues to expand across the globe, tracking down a star's real-world footprint has become a rite of passage for fans visiting Korea. Among the most sought-after destinations are cafés run by K-pop artists themselves — or by the family members who shaped them. These aren't branded merchandise pop-ups or sponsored collaborations. They are personal spaces where a star's taste, daily life, and relationships quietly show through. Here are five currently operating cafés that offer exactly that kind of experience.

① BTS RM's Sister | Café Far Ben (카페 파벤) — Seongsu-dong, Seoul

In Seongsu-dong — Seoul's answer to Brooklyn, where red brick warehouses have been transformed into some of the city's most talked-about spaces — sits a quietly stylish café called Far Ben. Opened in July 2024 by Kim Kyung-min, the younger sister of BTS leader RM (Kim Namjoon), it has quickly become a pilgrimage site for ARMY fans from around the world.

Why it's worth visiting: RM is widely known for his love of contemporary art, literature, and bonsai — a sensibility that seems to have informed his sister's café. Far Ben leans into the same restrained aesthetic: minimal décor, warm lighting, and a clean espresso-forward menu. Signature items include scones, salted caramel financiers, and a house latte that regulars swear by.

The detail fans come for: At the time of opening, RM gifted his sister a potted plant with a handwritten note reading, "Sis, rooting for your new beginning! Kim Namjoon." That plant is still on display inside the café. Fan reviews often note with affection: "Namjoon wasn't there — but his plant was."

📍 65 Seongsu-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul (Exit 3, Seongsu Station) / Daily 11:00–21:00

② BTS Jimin's Father | MAGNATE (메그네이트) — Daeyeon-dong, Busan

For ARMY fans making the trip to Busan — Jimin's hometown — MAGNATE is non-negotiable. Run by Jimin's father, this large-scale café occupies a converted 50-year-old textile factory in the Daeyeon neighborhood, and the industrial bones of the building are very much part of its charm.

Why it's worth visiting: MAGNATE functions as much as an exhibition space as it does a café. Displayed throughout the interior are items from Jimin's childhood, fan letters and artwork sent from countries across the world, and handwritten messages from visitors who made the journey specifically to be here. The high ceilings, raw concrete walls, and vintage furnishings give the space a scale and texture that feels nothing like a typical café.

The detail fans come for: Jimin's father is known for being warm and approachable with visiting fans — occasionally sharing a brief word or a kind smile across the counter. For many fans, this is the closest they've come to understanding where Jimin came from.

📍 135 Jinnam-ro, Nam-gu, Busan, Building B, 1F (approx. 900m from Exit 4, Motgol Station, Line 2) / Daily 10:00–22:00

③ WINNER's Mino | Osechill (오색칠) — Seongsu-dong, Seoul

Two blocks away from Far Ben, a completely different kind of café awaits. Osechill — owned and operated by WINNER's Song Mino — is less a café in the conventional sense and more a living gallery. Known by fans as "Song Hwabaek" (Song the Painter), Mino has filled every corner of this space with his own artwork.

Why it's worth visiting: The interior reads like a curated exhibition: paintings, illustrations, and visual installations created by Mino himself line the walls. The café releases seasonal menus on a quarterly basis, and merchandise designed under his artist alias "Ohnim" is available exclusively at this physical location. The space earned a cover feature in Frame Magazine, an international publication dedicated to spatial design.

The detail fans come for: This is one of the rare cases where a K-pop star hasn't simply lent his name to a business — he's built the entire world of the place himself. Coming to Osechill isn't just about ordering a drink. It's about spending an hour inside the mind of an artist who works across music, painting, and performance simultaneously.

📍 77 Seongsu-ro, Seongdong-gu, Seoul, 1F / Daily 11:00–21:00 (Last order 20:30)

④ Super Junior Yesung's Family | Mouse Rabbit (마우스래빗) — Konkuk, Seoul

If Far Ben and Osechill represent the newer wave of K-pop cafés, Mouse Rabbit is the original. Run by the family of Super Junior's main vocalist Yesung, this multi-story café near Konkuk University has been drawing fans for years — and has earned a spot on Seoul's official tourism listings as a recognized Hallyu destination.

Why it's worth visiting: The café spans from basement to second floor, with each level designed around a distinct theme. The basement — nicknamed "the rabbit hole" — features low-lit interiors, floor-level seating, and a fireplace. The upper floors are filled with figurines, personal photographs, and hand-crafted merchandise made by the café itself. The name "Mouse Rabbit" combines the zodiac animals of Yesung and his family.

The detail fans come for: Yesung has been known to occasionally appear at the counter — serving customers himself, unannounced. Even without it, the space carries the kind of personal detail that makes it feel less like a café and more like someone's carefully curated home.

📍 5-14 Hwayang-dong, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul (near Konkuk University Station)

⑤ EXO Kai's Family | Kamong (카몽) — Seocho-gu, Seoul

Tucked into a quieter stretch of Seocho-gu, near Gyodae Station, Kamong takes its name from a combination of Kai (카이) and his beloved dog Monggu (몽구). It is, in that sense, a deeply personal space before you've even walked through the door.

Why it's worth visiting: Kai's father, who previously ran a neighborhood bakery, bakes muffins and bread fresh in-house daily. The seasonal fruit waffle has become the café's signature dish — popular not just with EXO fans but with locals who discovered it on their own.

The detail fans come for: Inside, Kai's editorial photos and promotional images are displayed throughout the interior in a way that feels thoughtful rather than promotional. Fan reviews describe it as feeling like "a visit to Kai's living room" — a space where the warmth of a family comes through in every detail.

📍 17 Seocho-daero 42-gil, Seocho-gu, Seoul (near Gyodae Station)

A Note on Etiquette

The people running these cafés — parents, siblings, family members — are private individuals, not public figures. Excessive photography of staff, personal questions about the artist, or disruptive behavior reflects poorly on fan culture as a whole. A genuine compliment about the coffee, or a simple "I'm a big fan" offered with a smile, goes a long way. Check each café's official Instagram account before visiting, as hours and menus can shift around an artist's birthday or comeback periods.

These cafés are not places to spot a celebrity. They are places where a star's taste, family, and daily life exist in quiet, physical form — and where, for the price of a latte, you can spend an hour inside that world.