[VIDEO] Korean fans throw parties for idols who never come. Cafe owners love it
More than 100 people filed into a small cafe in Seoul's Hongdae area on Sept. 12 to celebrate the birthday of Felix, a member of K-pop group Stray Kids. Felix was not there. No one expected him to be. The event, known in Korea as a birthday cafe, is far from rare. In Hongdae alone, nearly 100 happen every week. Not all of them are for idols. During our visit, cafes across the neighborhood were…
![[VIDEO] Korean fans throw parties for idols who never come. Cafe owners love it](/img/12764838)
On September 12, over 100 fans gathered at a small cafe in Seoul's Hongdae area to celebrate Felix, a member of the K-pop group Stray Kids. Felix was not present at the event, which is far from uncommon in the region. Known as a birthday cafe, such gatherings occur nearly 100 times each week in Hongdae alone. The trend extends beyond idol birthdays, with cafes celebrating animated characters and virtual YouTubers as well.
For Korea's coffee shops, birthday cafes have become a crucial lifeline. The country boasted 107,055 cafes in 2024, but this number saw a decline in early 2025 as profits faced strain. In a market where competition is fierce, these fan events prove to be a valuable source of customers. The arrangement is straightforward. Fans rent a cafe for several days, promising the owner a minimum number of sales. In Felix's case, the organizers committed to selling 350 drinks over four days, each costing approximately $5.50.
The cafe owner takes all the profits from these drinks, according to Choi I-su, 44, one of five fans behind the event. The organizers cover the costs of decorations and provide free gifts themselves.
Written by urgent.news from The Korea Times's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
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