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Korea Herald
a day 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
a day 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
2 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.
Korea Herald
25-06-2025
- Business
- Korea Herald
Seoul sees net inflow of young residents for third consecutive year
For the third year in a row, more young adults moved into Seoul than left it in 2024, city data showed Wednesday. According to a report released Wednesday by the Seoul Metropolitan Government, about 260,000 people aged 19 to 39 newly registered as Seoul residents in 2024, surpassing as the 245,000 people of the same age group who left the city during the same period. This marks the third consecutive year of net inflow, following increases of 32,000 in 2022 and 28,000 in 2023. As of 2023, Seoul had 2.86 million residents aged 19 to 39, accounting for 30.5 percent of the city's total population, which dropped from 3.18 million in the same age group recorded in a 2016 survey. Nearly half of the new young residents of the metropolis said the move was due to work (46.4 percent), followed by family (18.7 percent), and education (15.3 percent). When the under-40s who moved out of Seoul were asked the same question, 34.9 percent cited family, while 28.5 percent said it was due to work and 20.8 percent said it was due to housing. Many of younger Seoulites living alone As of 2022, there were 1.2 million households headed by a person from the 19-39 age group, accounting for 29.3 percent of all households in the city. Of these households, 64.5 percent were single-person households. Only 26.8 percent of households headed by someone under the age of 40 were living in apartments — down from 30 percent in 2016. Detached house-residing families dropped from 33.3 percent to 28.3 percent in the same period. Instead, an increasing number of under-40s were living in alternate housing forms such as "officetel" — a small residential unit inside a commercial-residential building, usually a studio — which increased from 11.8 percent in 2016 to 18.5 percent. As of 2023, 2.08 million under-40s were economically active, which refers to a status of either working or actively looking for a job. About 1.98 million of them were actually working, with 58 percent of them working as employees of a company.
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
First dibs: Top picks at Korea's cult-favourite Standard Bun pop-up in SG
For just 2 months, Korea's hottest bakery — Standard Bun — is bringing its viral bakes to town! The pop-ups will be located at Suntec City (4 Jun to 3 Aug) and Bugis Junction (10 Jun to 13 Jul). Famed for their mocha buns that see Seoulites queuing down the block, this is your chance to experience Korea's bakery culture without hopping on a plane. Even the king of K-POP, G-Dragon, is a fan! You may be wondering, 'Isn't the mocha bun just an overpriced Rotiboy?' I also had my doubts, so we tried 8 out of Standard Bun's 25 flavours, and here's our verdict. The signature Mocha Bun (S$3.90) boasts a lightly dense, chewy centre with a crispy, fragrant mocha crust. But what sets Standard Bun's bakes apart is their house-aged maple butter — a rich, savoury layer with a hint of mellow sweetness from the maple that lingers after every bite. You can purchase the spread individually at S$2.90 for 50g and S$19 for 300g. Although that didn't blow us away, we absolutely adored the Salt Mocha Bun (S$4.20) (left). I'd best describe it as the love child of a coffee bun and a shio pan, 2 of the best breads in the world. Compared to its sweet counterpart, it's slightly fluffier with a crispy, salty underside that contrasts with it perfectly. Savoury bread lovers should definitely get the Garlic Cream Cheese Bun (S$5.50), which tastes as good as it looks. The filling was a decadent mix of slightly sweetish, garlicky, cheesy goodness that was rounded out with its creamy texture. For my dessert lovers, I'd recommend the Milk Cream Bun (S$5.80) that transported me straight to Korea. It was packed to the brim with a rich milk cream that had a cloud-like texture, ensuring that it doesn't get too jelak. It was pleasantly sweet, but not at all cloying. Paired with the fluffy bun, I simply couldn't put it down. Some notable mentions are the Apple Cinnamon Bun (S$5.60) and Jambon Bun (S$7.50). Both had the same base of a mocha bun, but I felt that the innovative flavour combinations here took it to the next level. Also, just look at those thick slabs of butter! Although it's just a pop-up, Standard Bun is going all the way by offering coffee and ice cream on the menu for the full cafe experience. And if there's one thing Koreans nail, it has to be their innovative dessert coffee selection. Pair your bakes with their signature Ice Cream Latte (Iced) (S$8.50) and Almond Mocha Java (S$7.50). In my humble opinion as a self-proclaimed bread connoisseur, Standard Bun is above the standard, for sure. Ppalli head down to Standard Bun to try them for yourself! Butter Town: Assorted buttery shio pan & decadent sourdough cakes from hawker stall The post First dibs: Top picks at Korea's cult-favourite Standard Bun pop-up in SG appeared first on
