Yeonnam-dong, 2D Optical Illusion Cafe “Greem Cafe”

January 16, 2023 882 Views

In Yeonnam-dong, you can find many trendy and unique cafes and restaurants. Yeonnam-dong is located to the south of Yeonhui-dong.

It is close to Hongik University Station, and especially with the transformation of the Gyeongui Line abandoned railway into a park called Gyeongui Line Forest Park, it has become a hot spot.

“Experience the 2D Optical Illusion Cafe in Yeonnam-dong”

At the edge of Yeonnam-dong, you can find exceptionally unique and distinctive cafes. One such cafe is named “Yeonnam-dong 223-14,” commonly known as the “Greem Cafe.”

This place stands out with elements that are distinctly different from other ordinary cafes. The moment you open the door and step inside, you can clearly see what sets it apart.

The entire cafe space is designed to give the feeling of reading a comic book. It is filled with props that evoke images drawn in 2D, from the ceiling, walls, to the tables, chairs, and window frames, all seeming as if they were hand-drawn with a pen.

“A cafe that gained great popularity through optical illusions”

“Yeonnam-dong 223-14” or “Greem Cafe” gained significant popularity on social media due to these optical illusions. Thanks to word of mouth, it became known even internationally.

When you actually visit the cafe, you’ll likely see it filled with foreigners. While traveling in Korea, it’s easy to meet people taking pictures in this unique atmosphere by visiting the original cafe that creates a “2D” optical illusion.

“You can take photos after ordering drinks.”

Perhaps because it’s considered a photo-worthy spot, they have a rule that allows photos to be taken after ordering drinks. This rule may have been established to address cases where guests in the early days of the cafe’s opening only took photos without ordering drinks.

Considering its special interior and its fame on social media, one might think the drinks could be expensive. However, the prices for drinks are not significantly different from other cafes. An Americano, for example, is priced at 4,700 won per cup, which is comparable to Starbucks.

“The cafe exporting the concept overseas”

“Greem Cafe” is also exporting the 2D optical illusion concept overseas. You can also find Greem Cafes in Riyadh and Doha.

However, there have been cases of cafes illegally borrowing the concept. A cafe called “BK Kafe” located in Russia is an example of this. It directly copied our Korean “Greem Cafe” and gained great popularity locally.

While it’s regrettable that they borrowed the concept without proper authorization, it’s something to be proud of that the original concept comes from Korea. It’s a great place to intentionally visit and experience.

“Seoul Yeonnam-dong, 2D Optical Illusion Cafe, Greem Cafe”