Amid the mixed responses from celebrities who run cafes on Jeju Island, Lee Sang-soon and Lee Dong-gun have suspended operations, while Park Han-byul continues to operate hers.
The business outcomes of celebrities who took on new challenges by opening cafes on Jeju Island have varied widely. The cafes run by stars who attracted attention thanks to their fame have taken different paths—some have closed, others have suspended operations, and still others remain in business—depending on personal circumstances and business strategies.
Actor Lee Dong-gun announced that the café he opened in Aewol-eup, Jeju, last April would be temporarily closed. Although he had been very active—sharing his daily life running the café on the SBS show *My Lazy Little Baby* and operating a pop-up store in Seongsu-dong—he decided to suspend operations for the time being without disclosing the specific reason for the hiatus.
Singer Lee Sang-soon also closed his café “Longplay,” which he had opened in Jeju in July 2022. He is currently active as the DJ of MBC FM4U’s “A Perfect Day with Lee Sang-soon” and is exploring new opportunities, having recently revealed plans to open a new café in the Seoul area.
In contrast, actress Park Han-byul is successfully maintaining her café in Jeju. Having settled in Jeju in 2019, Park Han-byul has been successfully running the business, sharing updates about the café on her social media and expressing her affection for the space.
Celebrity Cafe Ventures in Jeju
Several South Korean celebrities who opened cafes in Jeju Island are experiencing varying outcomes in their business ventures. While Lee Sang-soon has closed his cafe 'Long Play' and Lee Dong-gun has announced a temporary suspension of his Aewol-based cafe, Park Han-byeol continues to operate her establishment successfully.