There was already a line outdoors ZM-Illennial cafe after I arrived at 10:30 a.m., a queue snaking across the constructing regardless of the drizzle. The cafe is within the Nam District of Busan, South Korea, some quarter-hour away from a sun-bathed shoreline that attracts vacationers from all around the nation. ZM-Illennial has change into a serious attraction in its personal proper, not for its espresso drinks or pastries, however for its proximity to Ok-Pop royalty: The cafe is owned and operated by Park Hyun-soo, the daddy of BTS member Jimin, who’s affectionately recognized within the fandom as “Papa Park.”
Fortunately, Angela, a pal and fellow member of the ARMY (the BTS fan affiliation), had gotten there earlier and saved a spot in line. Our group is usually 40-something skilled ladies from Southern California, and we had each been in Seoul for the week-long BTS celebration referred to as Festa, which brings ARMY members from all around the globe to the Korean capital. After the primary occasion, we hopped a prepare to Busan to pay tribute to Jimin and fellow member Jungkook, who’re each from town (a mural is devoted to the 2 at Gamcheon Tradition Village).
ZM-Illennial is considered one of many stops on an unofficial BTS tour of Korea. In Seoul, devotees journey to band members’ former first dorm (now a restaurant), the location of their firm’s first headquarters (the constructing is roofed in fan graffiti), their Gangnamdol character on Ok-star Highway in Gagnam, the Seoul forest backyard named after member j-hope, and the Hybe skyscraper within the Yongsan district, which is the present headquarters for the each the band and the corporate constructed round it. There are websites round the remainder of the nation too, together with member hometowns, Japanese restaurant Ossu Seiromushi co-owned by member Jin and his brother, Café Far Ben owned by the sister of BTS’s chief RM, and the filming location of journey documentary Within the Soop in Gangwon Province.
ZM-illennial is a very nice cease alongside this route: It looks like a museum, a pop star’s closet, and a pilgrimage web site all rolled into one. The very first thing we observed after we lastly obtained via the road was a protracted desk coated with flowers, banners, trinkets, and notes devoted to BTS or Jimin. Although there are different decorations, a lot of the decor is devoted to Jimin, like a shelf holding a row of hats he’s worn, sandwiched between fan-made drawings, or artist Lee.Ok’s portrait of Jimin that was displayed on the 2022 Focus Artwork Truthful in Paris on the Louvre Carrousel. The area was crowded, with teams of ARMY clustered round tables and sofas all through the cafe, like delegates from a mini United Nations.
The lengthy menu contains elaborate French-style patisseries, truffles, espresso, chilly brew, iced teas, yogurt, and even lemonade dyed BTS purple. A bin of salt butter bread throughout from the primary counter was nearly empty, however I snapped one up at Angela’s request. When my order was prepared, I used to be shocked to see that the one who positioned the iced tea on my tray was Papa Park himself. He’s change into well-known for hugging guests and even signing objects. We watched from our desk as he graciously accepted items thrust at him by a bunch of enthusiastic Brazilian followers, earlier than making it clear that he didn’t wish to be in any pictures.
Regardless of the merch wall, Park doesn’t appear too invested in exploiting his son’s cult standing. The cafe’s web site appears defunct, its Instagram is sparsely up to date, and an e mail handle isn’t available. After I referred to as, Park politely declined a request for an announcement, and he was all the time too busy serving prospects and working the store to speak throughout my go to.
Nina, a BTS fan from Lyon, France, did have time to speak. She had come to the cafe with a fellow ARMY member from Serbia. The 2 had change into buddies on-line and have been assembly at ZM-Illennial for the primary time.
“I loved the desserts,” Nina, a pâtisseur herself, instructed me. “I really like discovering new issues about Korea. However with all of the BTS associated stuff, it’s particularly cool. Taehyung is my favourite, however I assist all of them.” She admitted she doesn’t take heed to some other Ok-pop.
Over the course of my keep, I additionally talked to Tonia (a software program engineer), her bestie Tammey (a police officer from New York), and Philip and Hilary (an older Australian couple), all there due to BTS. I watched as a Filipino ARMY member photographed a pair of Jimin bobbleheads.
To locals, ZM-illennial is a spot to chill out, to take a drawing class, or interact with their neighbors. However as I left, watching a bunch of buddies pile out of their rideshare as I obtained into mine, the cafe appeared like the middle of a wider neighborhood. Followers come to really feel nearer to our favourite artists, positive, and to have fun our shared ardour. However extra importantly, visiting ZM-Illennial brings us nearer to one another.
Further photograph illustration credit: Christine Terrisse
