Singer Lee Hyori has revealed the reasons behind the closure of her husband Lee Sang-soon's cafe.
On the October 5 episode of JTBC's variety show 'Love War,' a couple known as the 'resting couple' appeared.
When one of the guests expressed a desire to start a cafe, Lee Hyori responded, "Do you know how difficult it is to open a cafe?"
She added, "My husband also ran a cafe. There were lines stretching hundreds of meters, but even then, we didn't make much money. Cafes are risky."
Han-hae, another guest, shared his own experience, saying, "I have failed at running a cafe, so I can relate. About three to four years ago, I sold yogurt and coffee in Sangam-dong, but a neighboring shop sold coffee for 900 won."
He continued, "Cafes have a nice aroma and are great for reading, but paying rent feels like hell. I operated for about two years, thinking I was in business for six months, but I actually endured for a year and a half. Even with a small shop, I incurred losses of about 150 million won. I advise against opening a cafe."
Meanwhile, Lee Sang-soon closed his cafe in May 2024, just two years after opening. Before the closure, he mentioned on his YouTube channel, "Business wasn't booming, but it wasn't a failure either. Initially, we attracted a lot of customers due to the buzz."
He added, "At first, I wondered if I should give up on the reservation system, but it turned out to be fine. Customers enjoyed their time, and I initially thought a reservation-only cafe was absurd, but it had its advantages."
Regarding the cafe's closure, he explained, "The lease period has ended. The landlord is planning something else. We will be moving to Yonsei-ro."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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