제주를 떠나 서울로, 이상순이 그리는 새로운 ‘커피 철학’의 무대 > K-wave Trends

Lee Sang-soon's story of founding a cafe is not a sudden declaration, but appears to be the condensed result of his personal taste and philosophy on coffee that he has accumulated over a long period of time. Through the broadcast, he not only enjoys coffee at home on a regular basis, but also shows his passion for exploring new trends and coffee flavors by visiting his friends' cafes whenever he has time. His appearance is not just a ‘celebrity cafe’ that relies on fame, but a sincere attitude that shows that he wants to share the joy he feels as a coffee lover with others. To him, a cafe is more than just a commercial space that generates profit, it is a kind of cultural medium that spreads one's tastes to others.

What is noteworthy in this start-up plan is how the experience of running a cafe in Jeju Island in the past will be transformed in a completely different environment called Seoul. His cafe, which opened in Jeju in 2022, received explosive interest enough to operate on a reservation system, but it closed after two short years, leaving many people disappointed. The experience at the time must have given Lee Sang-soon deep concerns about the practical understanding of business operations and the influence of space. Now, he is showing his intention to leave the closure of his business in Jeju behind and build his own space once again in Seoul, which has a completely different commercial district and consumer base.

Lee Sang-soon honestly confessed that he is currently in the so-called ‘implantation’ stage of searching for a specific location. Rather than simply chasing places with a lot of floating population, he is conducting market research by looking closely at what spaces people prefer and what they are attracted to these days. However, he added that he is not in a hurry and is looking at positions carefully due to the practical constraints of having to work concurrently with his main job as a radio DJ. His attitude shows that he is careful to find the most ideal space within his means rather than excessive expansion, and is acting as an element of trust in the public.

Their progress as a couple is also a point of observation that stimulates the public's interest. As his wife Lee Hyo-ri previously ran a yoga center and showed herself communicating with the public and cultivating her own life, Lee Sang-soon's latest challenge can be seen as a process for the couple to realize their independent selves in their own fields. If Hyori Lee showed a life of inner peace through yoga, Lee Sang-soon chose a life of sharing small leisure moments and tastes in everyday life through the medium of coffee. The fact that both of them decide and implement their way of life at their own pace, despite excessive media attention, is providing positive stimulation to many people.

Lee Sang-soon’s process of preparing to start a cafe is also in line with the way our society consumes ‘space’ today. Now, consumers are not just chasing the taste of coffee, but also consuming the philosophy of the owner who fills the space, the atmosphere of the interior, and the unique experiences that can be felt there. Which area of ​​Seoul Lee Sang-soon chooses will be an important criterion in determining how his aesthetic sense and interpretation of space will be received by the public. Attention is being paid to whether the cafe he is preparing in Seoul will become a haven for true coffee lovers, rather than simply a place run by celebrities.