Jeju Island, particularly Cafe Seoyeon, is a picturesque place that draws visitors from across the world. I have made the trip three times, each in the summer season. If you travel there, plenty of the islandโs attractions will tug at your heartstrings and make leaving its idyllic
On two occasions, I flew out of Busanโs Gimhae International Airport. On the third occasion I flew out of Seoulโs Gimpo International Airport. The typical flight lasts one hour. After landing at Jeju International Airport, it is easy to hail a taxi or take a bus to your hotel or guesthouse. If travelling on a tight budget, I recommend you take a relatively inexpensive express bus.
On my first trip, I visited, among other places, Innisfree Jeju House, Woljeongri Beach, Hallasan Mountain, and Cafe Seoyeon. Visitors to Jeju may find cultural attractions via Instagram and this travel website, among others. If you can read and write some Korean, I would urge you to search via Naver Blogs. On this platform, South Koreans have documented a trove of invaluable information with regard to Jeju Island, South Korea, and the world.
Cafe Seoyeon
One of my favorite coffee shops was Cafe Seoyeon(์์ฐ์ ์ง). Adjacent to the ocean, this establishment affords visitors the opportunity to sip one of many fine beverages as they enjoy a seaside view. There is, unfortunately, no public transportation, directly to this cafรฉ. It is an approximate 400 meter walk from the nearest bus stop, though this is hardly the inconvenience it may first appear to be. This walk afford visitors the opportunity to see the ocean and feel its breeze.
A popular Korean drama, Architecture 101(๊ฑด์ถํ๊ฐ๋ก ), was filmed at this this location. If youโre reading this you are perhaps aware of the Korean Wave, or Hallyu. This term refers to South Korean media entertainment that has crossed the globe and garnered many fans. I have met many international students who were first introduced to Korean culture via music groups like Big Bang, Exo, and BTS, but also Korean dramas like Architecture 101.
This drama stars famous Korean actress Han Ga In, Um Tae Woo, and Suzy from the Kpop group Miss A. If you enjoy Korean dramas, and taking pictures at locations where they were filmed, there are myriad spots on Jeju Island and the mainland whereat you can enjoy photo-taking opportunities. In fact TripAdvisor has named Cafe Seoyeon one of the 10 best cafes in Seogwipo, which is the second largest city on Jeju Island, the first being Jeju City, which is also the capital.
Once inside, there are desserts and beverages that you can order. Among these: cheesecake (my favorite), affogato, coffee, and varieties of tea. Drinks start at 4,000 KRW. As you enjoy your choice, you can view the ocean through window-length walls. To be honest, it may be difficult to find a seat if you travel there mid-day as the lunch hour is most popular. I recommend you visit mid-morning or early evening, perhaps to watch the sun set. The walls are filled with memorabilia. The second floor is perhaps even more comfortable. Fan of Architecture 101 or not, Cafe Seoyeon is a great place to stop by.
In Closing
Iโm sure that your trip will be as memorable as mine was. My first and second trips to Jeju Island were pre COVID-19. My third and most recent trip, summer 2020, occurred in the throes of the present pandemic. It was important that my travel mates and I wore respiratory masks at all times, especially as we traveled to tourist sites at which many tourists were sight-seeing. There are many ways that tourists can respect the venue they are visiting. These days, wearing a mask is one such way.
Address: 2975 Wimi-ri, Namwon-eup, Seogwipo-si, Jeju-do, South Korea
