Table of Contents
Introduction
There is a lot more than what meets the eye when it comes to a unique experience such as Korean birthday fan cafes or Saeng-ka. If you are a K-Pop fan looking for a unique way to celebrate the birthday or anniversary of one of your favorite idols or groups, look no further!
You will learn what Korean birthday fan cafes are, what you can expect during your visit, why they have become so popular, and how to find them during your time in South Korea!
What is a Korean Birthday Fan Cafe?
Korean Birthday Fan Cafes are organized by fans with the purpose to celebrate and honor the one being celebrated. Cafe shops are transformed into a lively and themed event with the decor, music, and activities.
These events are not only limited to K-Pop idols, but events for actors and fictional characters do exist as well. These types of events have grown increasingly popular both among domestic and international fans and can be considered a staple within Korean culture.
What Can You Expect When Visiting?
With so many birthdays and anniversaries being celebrated throughout the year, it is common to find birthday fan cafes taking place almost every week. Before the moment you walk in, you will most likely be greeted with a poster or banner in the front of the cafe where it is being hosted. This is how you know you are in the right place. After entering the cafe, there will be a plentiful amount of decoration whether it be photocards, albums, photos, and themed displays. There may also be music videos playing, along with songs from the artist's discography that match the theme of the event.
Source: Kculture
When it comes to the actual products offered, you may notice that there can be a special birthday set menu offered. These sometimes consist of a drink, dessert, and a “freebie”. These freebies can include cup sleeves, photocards, stickers, keychains, and buttons.
Don’t worry too much about a language barrier. In the case you need it, translating apps such as Papago and Google Translate can be used when ordering or asking questions. In other cases, just pointing to the items that you want can easily get the message across. But, don’t forget to say “kamsahamnida” or thank you to show your appreciation after.
Source: Kraze
When I attended my first birthday fan cafe, I was surprised by the amount of decorations that were displayed throughout the event. I purchased a set for around ₩10,000. It included a bottle of lemonade with a sticker of the idol on the front and a paper cup designed to match the theme of the event. While spending some time there, a lot of people came in to visit, order from the cafe, and take pictures as well. Whether you are going solo or with family or friends, this for sure should be on your bucket list of activities to see.
Why Are Birthday Cafes So Popular?
Birthday Cafes are popular due to multiple reasons. It is a great place to meet up and connect with the local community as well as a fandom that you are a part of. These events allow for an immersive and exciting opportunity to spend time with yourself or others, enjoy special treats, and don’t forget to take photos with the aesthetic setups and frames that allow for easy access to share and post on social media as well.
The idea of cafe hopping is a fairly popular concept in South Korea in general. This extends into birthday cafe events. A lot of times they are placed right next to each other. This way you can stop by one cafe, order, and spend some time. Afterwards, you can go next door. This will allow for a fun and unique experience as each birthday cafe celebration has different themes, merchandise, and drinks!
Source: Kculture
How to Find Birthday Cafes in Korea
There are a lot of ways to figure out when these events are happening.
Some popular platforms used include:
By searching an idol's name along with "event" or "birthday cafe," you may find some upcoming celebrations. These listings often include the location, dates, and previews of the products and designs available at the event.
By searching an idol's name along with "event" or "birthday cafe," you may find some upcoming celebrations. These listings often include the location, dates, and previews of the products and designs available at the event.
An alternative to this is just walking around popular neighborhoods such as Hongdae, Sinchon, Gangnam and Seongsu. These areas have a lot of trendy cafes which fans will host the events at.
I went over to the Yongsan area which is right by the HYBE Headquarters. This can be a popular area to host HYBE groups and artists’ birthday events. In my experience, I had planned to attend a birthday cafe using Dukplace one day, then the other I had just happened to stumble across a few cafes for the same artist in Hongdae.
Conclusion
Source: Visit Seoul
Whether you are a hardcore K-Pop fan or someone who just wants to explore Korean pop culture, visiting a birthday fan cafe is worth it. If you are planning a trip to South Korea or just happen to stumble across one during your travels, be sure to stop by. From the unique decorations and special merchandise to the welcoming atmosphere created by fans, these events can become a memorable part of your visit.
Bonus: You never know what might happen. Some celebrities have even surprised fans by stopping by their own birthday cafe events!
If you would like to explore more of Korea's cafe culture! Check out our articles on cafe-hopping and themed cafes here on Daebak Daily.