business
Idol devotion: Inside Seoul’s ‘birthday cafés,’ where fans gather to celebrate their favorite stars
By CNN Newsource at KVIA ABC-7
· June 23, 2026
· 1 min read
By Gyeongmin Kim, CNN
Seoul, South Korea (CNN) — Seoul’s Hongdae neighborhood is famous for its forest of cafés.
On any given day, the aroma of roasted coffee beans fills the air, with many of the shopfronts fronted by tall-as-trees banners bearing the image of a glamorous-looking person.
T...
Key takeaway On any given day, the aroma of roasted coffee beans fills the air, with many of the shopfronts fronted by tall-as-trees banners bearing the image of a glamorous-looking person.
Why this matters in The El Paso
El Paso 's own vibrant arts scene, though distinct from Seoul's K-pop culture, can learn from the creative business model of "birthday cafés." Local coffee shops and event spaces could explore hosting similar themed events celebrating the work of popular musicians or artists from the El Paso area. By partnering with local fan groups or entertainment organizations, these venues could attract new customers and foster a sense of community among fans. The success of Seoul's birthday cafés, which draw hundreds of visitors over a single weekend, suggests that El Paso's own entertainment scene could benefit from innovative events that combine music, art, and fandom. As El Paso continues to grow and develop its cultural offerings, embracing unique and interactive experiences like these could help set the city apart as a hub for creative expression and entertainment.
About this story
Original reporting by KVIA ABC-7 . The El Paso surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KVIA ABC-7 . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: business ·
Published: June 23, 2026 ·
Source: KVIA ABC-7 ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? By Gyeongmin Kim, CNN
Seoul, South Korea (CNN) — Seoul’s Hongdae neighborhood is famous for its forest of cafés.
On any given day, the aroma of roasted coffee beans fills the air, with many of the shopfronts fronted by tall-as-trees banners bearing the image of a glamorous-looking person.
T...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 23, 2026 by KVIA ABC-7 and curated for The El Paso readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by CNN Newsource at KVIA ABC-7. To learn more about how The El Paso selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more business coverage from The El Paso, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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