A New Holy Grail for ARMY: BTS RM’s Sister Opens “FAR BEN” in Seongsu
For global BTS fans planning a trip to Seoul, the brand new RM sister cafe Far Ben in Seongsu-dong has instantly become the ultimate pilgrimage spot.”
Last Friday, after checking out a trendy pop-up store in Seongsu-dong organized by an acquaintance, I popped into a nearby cafe just to escape the blazing summer heat.
It was my very first time stepping into this particular spot, and I was instantly impressed by how wonderfully wide and spacious it was. As I looked around, thinking to myself, “How on earth did I miss a gem like this until now?” I couldn’t help but notice an unusually large number of international tourists. I naturally assumed, “Wow, this place must be incredibly famous overseas.”
Well, it wasn’t until I got back home and looked it up that the puzzle pieces finally clicked together: this was Cafe FAR BEN, the highly talked-about cafe opened by the younger sister of BTS’s RM!
No wonder the artistic direction of the entire space felt so exceptionally high-end, and no wonder it was buzzing with global visitors!
But here is my honest takeaway: you do not need to be a K-pop fan to fall in love with this place. The atmosphere, the aesthetics, and the coffee stand entirely on their own merits. So, even if you aren’t an ARMY, stick around as I take you on a quick tour of Cafe FAR BEN!
The very first thing that hits you when you step inside Cafe FAR BEN is the incredible sense of openness. The space is remarkably wide, airy, and completely unobstructed.
If you are familiar with Seongsu-dong, you know that this neighborhood is famous for its tiny, hyper-concept cafes—charming, yes, but often cramped and tightly packed. Statistically speaking, finding a cafe this generously spacious in this area is actually quite rare.
On a sweltering hot day, walking out of the crowded streets and into a place that is not only beautifully air-conditioned but also visually expansive was an absolute relief. It didn’t just cool down my body; the sheer lack of clutter instantly refreshed my eyes and put my mind at ease. It truly felt like finding a hidden sanctuary.
After finding a cozy spot to wind down, it was time to order some ice-cold drinks and a sweet dessert to get my blood sugar back up. Looking closely at their selection, it seems that custom baked goods (Financiers, Madeleines, etc.) and artisanal donuts are the star players here.
The moment you stand in front of the bakery display case, you are greeted by an absolute visual feast. Every single pastry looks so incredibly delicious, plump, and beautifully crafted that the thought immediately crossed my mind: “Wow, these are substantial enough to easily double as a light, satisfying meal!”
Now, as I’m looking back at the photos I took while paying at the counter, a wild thought suddenly flashed through my mind: “Wait… could that person standing right there actually be… HER?!”
Of course, they could totally just be a regular staff member working a shift! To be completely honest, I have absolutely no idea what she looks like, so I’m just guessing here. ;;
The Smoking Gun: A Heartwarming Gift from “Namjoon Oppa”
This exact photo shows the celebratory opening flower pot sent by RM himself! In fact, this very plant is what originally blew the cafe’s secret wide open, revealing to the world that the space was run by RM’s younger sister.
The message carefully inscribed on the ribbon reads exactly like this:
“Dear sister! I am rooting for your brand new beginning! – Kim Namjoon -“
What makes this detail incredibly endearing is the signature written on the ribbon. Instead of using his globally recognized stage name “RM,” he signed it simply with his real birth name: Kim Namjoon (김남준).
It is such a touching, grounded detail. It shows that no matter how massive of a K-pop artist he is to millions of fans worldwide, to his little sister, he is ultimately just “Namjoon Oppa”—a regular older brother cheering on her new business venture with a proud heart. ~^^
It is a well-known fact among fans and the public alike that RM possesses an incredibly refined artistic sensibility, with a deep passion for contemporary art, literature, and museums.
After experiencing the unique ambiance of Cafe FAR BEN firsthand, it became instantly clear that this exceptional artistic intuition runs thick in the family blood.
The sibling share a magnificent creative DNA. The meticulous curation of the furniture, the harmonious lighting, and the flawless color palette throughout the expansive space don’t just feel like a random interior design project—they feel like a deliberately composed piece of art.
In the end, even though I had absolutely no idea about its famous background at the time, I was able to spend an incredibly refreshing and cool afternoon, savoring every single sip in this magnificent space.
If you ever find yourself wandering around the trendy streets of Seongsu-dong and need a wonderful place to take a breather, I highly recommend keeping Cafe FAR BEN on your radar!
Another little insider tip before you go: the cafe features a gorgeous, massive mirror that serves as the perfect photo zone. I noticed almost every visitor taking group photos and mirror selfies with their friends there! It is an absolute must-visit spot to capture a stylish, beautiful souvenir photo to look back on.
Alternate Route: Are You Actually a Fan of Jungkook?
Oh, but wait! What if your absolute favorite BTS member isn’t RM, but Jungkook?
If so, you might already know about the massive, legendary collaboration event Jungkook did with Calvin Klein right here in Seongsu-dong! As part of that huge project, they teamed up with three incredible local cafes in the neighborhood to host official events.
Out of those three select spots, I actually had the chance to visit <Yebindang 예빈당>—a stunning cafe that serves exquisite, premium Korean traditional desserts. It is the perfect blend of modern K-pop hype and beautiful cultural heritage!
Since I happened to visit exactly two days before the official collaboration event kicked off, the custom Jungkook-themed desserts weren’t available yet. However, by a stroke of pure luck, I stumbled upon the legendary Ang-butter Seolgi (Sweet Rice Cake with Red Bean & Butter)—which I later found out was actually Jungkook’s personal pick! ^^-
But for me, the absolute showstopper and the main character of the table was Kaesong Juak (개성주악).
As some of my long-time readers might remember, Kaesong Juak is one of the iconic “Korean Traditional Desserts” that I thoroughly introduced in a previous post. (If you’re curious about its fascinating history and recipe, definitely check out the linked post below!)
Traditionally a simple, glistening, honey-glazed joy, I noticed that Kaesong Juak has been going through a massive trendy evolution lately. The display counter was filled with highly creative modern versions boasting an incredibly diverse array of toppings! It is so exciting to see these timeless cultural treats get a sleek, contemporary makeover.
They also displayed traditional Yakgwa (약과 – Korean Honey Pastry), which had a slightly different, more intricate shape compared to the mass-produced ones we commonly see in convenience stores these days.
While savoring the desserts, my eyes kept drifting toward a gorgeous, pastel light-blue Byeongpung (병풍) standing elegantly in the cafe.
Seeing that beautiful screen, I couldn’t help but think, “Wow, taking a flat-lay photo of the colorful K-desserts right in front of that light-blue screen would look absolutely breathtaking on social media!” I instantly regretted my seat choice and thought, “Ah, I really should have sat just one row closer to it!” ^^;;
For all the ARMYs planning a trip to Seoul, following the subtle, meaningful footprints of BTS around Seongsu-dong will undoubtedly make for an unforgettable, joyful experience. I truly hope this guide adds a little extra magic and flavor to your next Seoul adventure!
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