{
  "id": 12337269,
  "title": "Celebrities who tried opening cafes in Korea say 'think twice'",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/06/celebrities-who-tried-opening-cafes-in-korea-say-think-twice",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-06T08:32:03.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Korea Times",
    "slug": "the-korea-times-koreatimes",
    "url": "https://www.koreatimes.co.kr/entertainment/20261006/celebrities-who-tried-opening-cafes-in-korea-say-think-twice"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Korea may seem like a dream destination for aspiring cafe owners, with coffee shops seemingly lining every street. However, those who have attempted to open a cafe in the country have a cautionary tale to tell. Singer Hanhae and K-pop star Lee Hyo-ri, both of whom have ventured into the cafe business, warn that would-be owners should think twice before taking the plunge.\n\nHanhae recently opened a modest cafe in Seoul's Sangam-dong, serving yogurt and coffee. However, he soon discovered that competing on price proved challenging when a major franchise nearby offered coffee at just 900 won ($0.64) per cup. In his view, the reality of running a cafe in Korea is far from the glamorous image portrayed by the countless shops dotting the country's streets.",
  "summary": "Korea may look like a cafe lover's paradise, with coffee shops seemingly around every corner. But celebrities who have actually tried running one have a surprisingly sobering message for aspiring owners: Think twice. Singer and rapper Hanhae recently shared his own costly experience in the cafe business, while K-pop icon Lee Hyo-ri revealed that even the wildly popular Jeju cafe run by her…",
  "key_points": [
    "Hanhae opened a cafe in Seoul's Sangam-dong, serving yogurt and coffee.",
    "Hanhae warns aspiring cafe owners to think twice before opening a cafe in Korea."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "The Korea Times",
        "title": "Celebrities who tried opening cafes in Korea say 'think twice'",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/06/celebrities-who-tried-opening-cafes-in-korea-say-think-twice-12340843",
        "published": "2026-10-06T08:57:03.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}