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Korea Herald
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
Seoul's night owls try daylight: coffee, dancing, and new friends at sunrise
Mornings usually begin with coffee. At Seoul Morning Coffee Club, your morning brew comes with a side of dancing At exactly 7 a.m., sunlight poured into a glass-walled cafe in central Seoul, splashing over a crowd ready to party. The bass thumped, not in the haze of a nightclub, but in the clean, crisp air of a new day. No cocktails, no cigarette smoke. Instead, lemon-flavored Americano and Matcha coconut were served as strangers grinned at one another across the dance floor. This is not a night out — it's the Seoul Morning Coffee Club's "Morning Rave." The idea is simple but surprising in a city known for its late-night drinking culture. In the SMCC world, the first sip of coffee replaces the first round of shots, and by 10 a.m., participants are heading to work, weekend plans, or errands refreshed. The crowd that morning was a living snapshot of Seoul's diversity. A 16-year-old middle school student came alone, driven by his love for music. A handful of foreign residents mingled with long-time Seoulites. Elders in their 60s and 70s jumped and danced to the beat alongside Gen Z dancers. What united them wasn't age, style, or background. It was the shared delight of being present, together, in the morning. Here, nobody worried about fitting in. If you liked music, good conversation and the freshness of early hours, you belonged. Connection in daylight For Mikayla Salomons, 31, who moved from Ontario to Seoul eight years ago, the concept instantly clicked. 'I love a party, and love to dance, but I'm so bad at staying up so late,' she said. 'This is honestly ideal for me. I also hate the hangover.' Observing morning gatherings abroad, she said this was part of a broader shift among millennials and Gen Z away from alcohol-centered nightlife. 'Everybody is starving for more genuine connections and communities,' she said. 'When you're sober, you're your authentic self. You need a bit more bravery to dance and say hello to people, but that bravery adds depth to the connection.' For Lee Kyoung-hee, 64, a real estate agent in Seoul, the new trend is awakening. "When I was in my 20s, we drank too much at night. But this, meeting in the morning and taking care of health, is something I've never seen before. If this culture takes root, I think society will become healthier.' SMCC's gatherings extend beyond the dance floor. On weekdays, they host 'coffee chats' across the city — small-group meetups before work designed to awaken both mind and body. Shin Ga-eun, a marketer in her 30s, said these mornings transformed her routine: 'I was never a morning person, but having a reason to get up changed my pattern. I also learned more about self-care from meeting people who value living well.' Others, like Joy Yeom, a Jeju Island resident who traveled to Seoul for a coffee chat, say this is a place to expand her thoughts, even the world. 'Because the common ground is morning, you meet people from all fields, sharing insights, tastes, even just favorite music and movies. It's a safe space to be myself.' Why mornings matter SMCC founder Park Jae-hyun knows exactly why he built this space. After a decade abroad in cities where early-morning cafe culture was a given, he was surprised to find few cafes in Seoul opening before 11 a.m. 'In Korea, if you're out in the morning, people think you're being extra productive, like you're living a 'perfect life,'' he said. 'But morning doesn't have to mean working harder. It can just be the time you enjoy most.' Park, who has lived with a strict early routine since a leukemia diagnosis at age 20, sees mornings as a rare window of calm before the day's demands. 'Before 8 a.m., it's quiet, traffic is light, and there are no interruptions,' he said. 'It's the one time you can fully have for yourself.' The club's philosophy is intentionally light. Topics at coffee chats range from favorite songs to recent movies — not investment strategies or self-help advice. Participants don't exchange business cards, ages, or job titles. 'It removes the hierarchy and expectations,' Park explained. 'You're just a person who showed up at 8 a.m. to have coffee.' Cultural shift Park believes this shift is about more than coffee; it's about rewriting social habits in a city built around late nights. Alcohol-free gatherings create a different social energy, one that fosters trust and ease across generations. By intentionally inviting seniors and encouraging intergenerational participation, SMCC aims to bridge social gaps and model an 'ageless' culture. It quietly resists the pressure to conform to polished images. 'Running crews here often feel exclusive, like you have to look a certain way to join,' Park said. 'We want to be the opposite: a space where you can show up as you are.' The concept is catching on. SMCC now collaborates with brands, hosts events like book clubs and morning film screenings, and partners with companies to run wellness programs for employees. But at its heart, the mission remains simple: Give people a reason to step outside in the morning and connect. For participants, the impact is tangible. It's in the teenager dancing without self-consciousness, the retiree discovering a new kind of joy, the newcomer who feels at home in a city of strangers. Park hopes it will ripple outward. 'If people can be themselves, respect each other, and connect without judgment, that's a healthier society,' he said.
The Star
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Star
Seoul's night owls try daylight: coffee, dancing, and new friends at sunrise
SEOUL: Mornings usually begin with coffee. At Seoul Morning Coffee Club, your morning brew comes with a side of dancing. At exactly 7am, sunlight poured into a glass-walled cafe in central Seoul, splashing over a crowd ready to party. The bass thumped, not in the haze of a nightclub, but in the clean, crisp air of a new day. No cocktails, no cigarette smoke. Instead, lemon-flavored Americano and Matcha coconut were served as strangers grinned at one another across the dance floor. This is not a night out — it's the Seoul Morning Coffee Club's "Morning Rave." The idea is simple but surprising in a city known for its late-night drinking culture. In the SMCC world, the first sip of coffee replaces the first round of shots, and by 10am, participants are heading to work, weekend plans, or errands refreshed. The crowd that morning was a living snapshot of Seoul's diversity. A 16-year-old middle school student came alone, driven by his love for music. A handful of foreign residents mingled with long-time Seoulites. Elders in their 60s and 70s jumped and danced to the beat alongside Gen Z dancers. What united them wasn't age, style, or background. It was the shared delight of being present, together, in the morning. Here, nobody worried about fitting in. If you liked music, good conversation and the freshness of early hours, you belonged. Park Jae-hyun (second from the left), founder of Seoul Morning Coffee Club, talks to participants from an elders' community, The New Grey, at the Morning Rave. - Photo: Kim Keun Young/ SMCC Connection in daylight For Mikayla Salomons, 31, who moved from Ontario to Seoul eight years ago, the concept instantly clicked. 'I love a party, and love to dance, but I'm so bad at staying up so late,' she said. 'This is honestly ideal for me. I also hate the hangover.' Observing morning gatherings abroad, she said this was part of a broader shift among millennials and Gen Z away from alcohol-centered nightlife. 'Everybody is starving for more genuine connections and communities,' she said. 'When you're sober, you're your authentic self. You need a bit more bravery to dance and say hello to people, but that bravery adds depth to the connection.' For Lee Kyoung-hee, 64, a real estate agent in Seoul, the new trend is awakening. "When I was in my 20s, we drank too much at night. But this, meeting in the morning and taking care of health, is something I've never seen before. If this culture takes root, I think society will become healthier.' SMCC's gatherings extend beyond the dance floor. On weekdays, they host 'coffee chats' across the city — small-group meetups before work designed to awaken both mind and body. Shin Ga-eun, a marketer in her 30s, said these mornings transformed her routine: 'I was never a morning person, but having a reason to get up changed my pattern. I also learned more about self-care from meeting people who value living well.' Others, like Joy Yeom, a Jeju Island resident who traveled to Seoul for a coffee chat, say this is a place to expand her thoughts, even the world. 'Because the common ground is morning, you meet people from all fields, sharing insights, tastes, even just favorite music and movies. It's a safe space to be myself.' Park Jae-hyun (right), founder of Seoul Morning Coffee Club, talks to participants at a coffee chat. - Photo: SMCC Why mornings matter SMCC founder Park Jae-hyun knows exactly why he built this space. After a decade abroad in cities where early-morning cafe culture was a given, he was surprised to find few cafes in Seoul opening before 11am. 'In Korea, if you're out in the morning, people think you're being extra productive, like you're living a 'perfect life,'' he said. 'But morning doesn't have to mean working harder. It can just be the time you enjoy most.' Park, who has lived with a strict early routine since a leukemia diagnosis at age 20, sees mornings as a rare window of calm before the day's demands. 'Before 8am, it's quiet, traffic is light, and there are no interruptions,' he said. 'It's the one time you can fully have for yourself.' The club's philosophy is intentionally light. Topics at coffee chats range from favorite songs to recent movies — not investment strategies or self-help advice. Participants don't exchange business cards, ages, or job titles. 'It removes the hierarchy and expectations,' Park explained. 'You're just a person who showed up at 8am to have coffee.' Participants take pictures, enjoying SMCC's Morning Rave. - Photo: Kim Keun Young/ SMCC Cultural shift Park believes this shift is about more than coffee; it's about rewriting social habits in a city built around late nights. Alcohol-free gatherings create a different social energy, one that fosters trust and ease across generations. By intentionally inviting seniors and encouraging intergenerational participation, SMCC aims to bridge social gaps and model an 'ageless' culture. It quietly resists the pressure to conform to polished images. 'Running crews here often feel exclusive, like you have to look a certain way to join,' Park said. 'We want to be the opposite: a space where you can show up as you are.' The concept is catching on. SMCC now collaborates with brands, hosts events like book clubs and morning film screenings, and partners with companies to run wellness programmes for employees. Participants at Seoul Morning Coffee Club's Morning Rave dance. - Photo: Kim Keun Young/SMCC But at its heart, the mission remains simple: Give people a reason to step outside in the morning and connect. For participants, the impact is tangible. It's in the teenager dancing without self-consciousness, the retiree discovering a new kind of joy, the newcomer who feels at home in a city of strangers. Park hopes it will ripple outward. 'If people can be themselves, respect each other, and connect without judgment, that's a healthier society,' he said. And perhaps the most radical part? In a city where nights have long claimed the crown, mornings are finally having their moment. - The Korea Herald/ANN
![[Weekender] Seoul's night owls try daylight: coffee, dancing, and new friends at sunrise](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwimg.heraldcorp.com%2Fnews%2Fcms%2F2025%2F08%2F15%2Fnews-p.v1.20250812.1481878d4e91448fb72b1a3137f27fbd_T1.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
Korea Herald
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Korea Herald
[Weekender] Seoul's night owls try daylight: coffee, dancing, and new friends at sunrise
Mornings usually begin with coffee. At Seoul Morning Coffee Club, your morning brew comes with a side of dancing At exactly 7 a.m., sunlight poured into a glass-walled cafe in central Seoul, splashing over a crowd ready to party. The bass thumped, not in the haze of a nightclub, but in the clean, crisp air of a new day. No cocktails, no cigarette smoke. Instead, lemon-flavored Americano and Matcha coconut were served as strangers grinned at one another across the dance floor. This is not a night out — it's the Seoul Morning Coffee Club's "Morning Rave." The idea is simple but surprising in a city known for its late-night drinking culture. In the SMCC world, the first sip of coffee replaces the first round of shots, and by 10 a.m., participants are heading to work, weekend plans, or errands refreshed. The crowd that morning was a living snapshot of Seoul's diversity. A 16-year-old middle school student came alone, driven by his love for music. A handful of foreign residents mingled with long-time Seoulites. Elders in their 60s and 70s jumped and danced to the beat alongside Gen Z dancers. What united them wasn't age, style, or background. It was the shared delight of being present, together, in the morning. Here, nobody worried about fitting in. If you liked music, good conversation and the freshness of early hours, you belonged. Connection in daylight For Mikayla Salomons, 31, who moved from Ontario to Seoul eight years ago, the concept instantly clicked. 'I love a party, and love to dance, but I'm so bad at staying up so late,' she said. 'This is honestly ideal for me. I also hate the hangover.' Observing morning gatherings abroad, she said this was part of a broader shift among millennials and Gen Z away from alcohol-centered nightlife. 'Everybody is starving for more genuine connections and communities,' she said. 'When you're sober, you're your authentic self. You need a bit more bravery to dance and say hello to people, but that bravery adds depth to the connection.' For Lee Kyoung-hee, 64, a real estate agent in Seoul, the new trend is awakening. "When I was in my 20s, we drank too much at night. But this, meeting in the morning and taking care of health, is something I've never seen before. If this culture takes root, I think society will become healthier.' SMCC's gatherings extend beyond the dance floor. On weekdays, they host 'coffee chats' across the city — small-group meetups before work designed to awaken both mind and body. Shin Ga-eun, a marketer in her 30s, said these mornings transformed her routine: 'I was never a morning person, but having a reason to get up changed my pattern. I also learned more about self-care from meeting people who value living well.' Others, like Joy Yeom, a Jeju Island resident who traveled to Seoul for a coffee chat, say this is a place to expand her thoughts, even the world. 'Because the common ground is morning, you meet people from all fields, sharing insights, tastes, even just favorite music and movies. It's a safe space to be myself.' Why mornings matter SMCC founder Park Jae-hyun knows exactly why he built this space. After a decade abroad in cities where early-morning cafe culture was a given, he was surprised to find few cafes in Seoul opening before 11 a.m. 'In Korea, if you're out in the morning, people think you're being extra productive, like you're living a 'perfect life,'' he said. 'But morning doesn't have to mean working harder. It can just be the time you enjoy most.' Park, who has lived with a strict early routine since a leukemia diagnosis at age 20, sees mornings as a rare window of calm before the day's demands. 'Before 8 a.m., it's quiet, traffic is light, and there are no interruptions,' he said. 'It's the one time you can fully have for yourself.' The club's philosophy is intentionally light. Topics at coffee chats range from favorite songs to recent movies — not investment strategies or self-help advice. Participants don't exchange business cards, ages, or job titles. 'It removes the hierarchy and expectations,' Park explained. 'You're just a person who showed up at 8 a.m. to have coffee.' Cultural shift Park believes this shift is about more than coffee; it's about rewriting social habits in a city built around late nights. Alcohol-free gatherings create a different social energy, one that fosters trust and ease across generations. By intentionally inviting seniors and encouraging intergenerational participation, SMCC aims to bridge social gaps and model an 'ageless' culture. It quietly resists the pressure to conform to polished images. 'Running crews here often feel exclusive, like you have to look a certain way to join,' Park said. 'We want to be the opposite: a space where you can show up as you are.' The concept is catching on. SMCC now collaborates with brands, hosts events like book clubs and morning film screenings, and partners with companies to run wellness programs for employees. But at its heart, the mission remains simple: Give people a reason to step outside in the morning and connect. For participants, the impact is tangible. It's in the teenager dancing without self-consciousness, the retiree discovering a new kind of joy, the newcomer who feels at home in a city of strangers. Park hopes it will ripple outward. 'If people can be themselves, respect each other, and connect without judgment, that's a healthier society,' he said.
The Sun
27-05-2025
- Business
- The Sun
Saudi, Malaysian Foreign Ministers hold talks at ASEAN-GCC Summit
KUALA LUMPUR: Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Mohamad Hasan held a bilateral meeting with Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, on the sidelines of the 2nd ASEAN-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Summit at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. During the closed-door meeting, the two ministers discussed ways to deepen bilateral ties and exchanged views on pressing geopolitical issues of mutual concern. Both leaders reviewed the progress of cooperation in eight areas under the Saudi-Malaysian Coordination Council (SMCC) bilateral mechanism. The areas are politics, trade and investment, security, defence and military, education, religious affairs, energy and environment, and socio-culture. Both ministers also reiterated their strong commitment to ensure key initiatives under the SMCC are not only implemented effectively, but also monitored regularly to achieve the desired outcomes. The foreign ministers also exchanged views about the latest developments impacting the respective regions including the Palestinian cause as well as on international issues of mutual interest. The high-level summit, hosted by Malaysia as ASEAN Chair, brought together leaders from both regional blocs to strengthen cooperation across political, economic and security domains. The ASEAN-GCC Summit, held in conjunction with the 46th ASEAN Summit, served as a strategic platform for interregional dialogue and collaboration, amid growing global uncertainties and evolving geopolitical dynamics. Malaysia holds the ASEAN 2025 chairmanship under the theme 'Inclusivity and Sustainability'.
Yahoo
18-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Monroe's St. Mary Catholic Central High School announces Class of 2025 top scholars
MONROE — St. Mary Catholic Central High School announced its top 10 graduates in the Class of 2025. The Monroe News showcases the top scholars in each Monroe County school district. We list some of what these honor students have already accomplished as well as their plans for after graduation. Announcements from other Monroe County schools will follow in the coming weeks. Name: Evelyn Finn Valedictorian Parents: Sean and Allison Finn of Temperance Activities and honors: Interact Club president; National Honor Society vice president; Student Council historian; Respect Life Club secretary; Exchange Club of Monroe's Youth of the Monroe for February 2025 Future plans: Study neuroscience and behavior at the University of Notre Dame Name: Rachel Boberg Salutatorian Parents: Brian and Lisa Boberg of LaSalle Activities and honors: Interact Club vice president; National Honor Society secretary; Respect Life Club treasurer; Exchange Club of Monroe's Student of the Month for November 2024; SMCC's Student of the Month for March 2022 and September 2024 Future plans: Study middle childhood education at Bowling Green State University Name: Catherine Ambs Parents: Brad and Theresa Ambs of Monroe Activities and honors: National Honor Society; Spanish National Honor Society; Student Council; Student Prevention Leadership Team; varsity swimming team captain Future plans: Study nursing at Oakland University Name: Casen Brooks Parents: Nicole Galimberti of Monroe and Dustin Brooks of Perrysburg, Ohio Activities and honors: National Honor Society; Student Council; Interact Club; Honors Geometry Course Award; French I, II, III Course Awards Future plans: Study actuarial science at Indiana University Name: Jessica Costlow Parents: Todd and Michelle Costlow of Monroe Activities and honors: Four years of varsity volleyball and team captain senior year; National Honor Society; MHSAA D3 volleyball state champion and player of the year in 2024; MHSAA D3 4x100 track & field state champion with two school records in 2024; two-time Monroe News volleyball player of the year Future plans: Study biomedical engineering at the University of Toledo Name: Caleb Hendrick Parents: Andrew and Jennifer Hendrick of Monroe Activities and honors: National Honor Society; Student Prevention Leadership Team; varsity soccer, bowling and track & field; Respect Life Club; Interact Club Future plans: Study computer science and engineering at the University of Toledo Name: Noah Iott Parents: Jeff and Ann Iott of Monroe Activities and honors: Tennis team captain; Card Game Club president; academic crest; Kentucky Christian service trip volunteer; History & Mission of the Church/Mystery of Jesus Course Awards Future plans: Study electrical engineering at the University of Toledo Name: Claire Lisker Parents: David Lisker of Monroe and Leslie Brinning of Dundee Activities and honors: Cross country captain; National Honor Society officer; Student Prevention Leadership Team president; track & field captain; Spanish National Honor Society Future plans: Study biology on a pre-medicine track at the University of Michigan Name: John Netter Parents: Michael and Maggie Netter of Erie Activities and honors: Varsity soccer captain; SMCC Geek Squad president; National Honor Society; Respect Life Club; U.S. History Course Award Future plans: Study computer science and engineering at the University of Toledo Support local news: Subscribe for all the latest local developments, breaking news and high school sports content. Name: Alaina Wille Parents: Jim Wille and Carey Mossburg, both of Monroe Activities and honors: National Honor Society president; Geek Squad treasurer; Student Prevention Leadership Team secretary; varsity girls golf captain; Spanish National Honor Society Future plans: Study in the PharmD program at the University of Michigan — Contact reporter Suzanne Nolan Wisler at swisler@ This article originally appeared on The Monroe News: St. Mary Catholic Central High School announces top 2025 graduates
