
Audio By Carbonatix
Just when every coffee place in whole wide world was beginning to look like an identikit Williamsburg hipster joint, along comes something very different.
YND239-20 is a quirky cafe that's delighting visitors to Seoul, South Korea, thanks to its super cute cartoon decor.
Stepping into YND239-20 feels like entering the black-and-white world of a cartoon. It's a cleverly conceived real-world optical illusion that's made the cafe a must-visit for decor-loving Instagrammers.
Real world optical illusion
Instagrammer @mmarichell enjoying YND239-20. – Courtesy @mmarichell
The cafe's interior is painted white, with every object or detail outlined in black to give the space an intriguing pen-and-paper look. The real-world furniture blends seamlessly into the wall art, which includes zany picture frames and a dog looking in from a window.
Marketing manager JS Lee tells CNN Travel that the cafe's name comes from the Seoul address: Yeon-Nam-Dong 239-20. Its main aim, Lee says, is to provide a memorable experience for guests.
Instagram user @frondstogram enjoying the cartoon aesthetic. – Courtesy @frondstogram
"It's been successful because our customers all take pictures," Lee says. "We became famous very naturally."
Insta-obsession
The cafe's name comes from it's address Yeon-Nam-Dong 239-20 – Courtesy YND239-20
The "Instagrammification" of cafes, art galleries and public spaces is a seemingly growing phenomenon -- after all, the more your business appears on social media feeds around the world, the more foot fall you're likely to see.
The popularity of spots such as the Museum of Ice Cream -- which caused a splash when it began dominating Manhattanite social media feeds in 2016 -- illustrates the phenomenon in action.
More cynical critics would argue these places risk becoming all aesthetic and no substance, but visitors to YND239-20 are keen to stress it's earned its place on the social media bucket list.
It helps that the owners have created a welcoming environment.
@hannahinternational, pictured, says the cafe has a welcoming atmosphere. – Courtesy @hannahinternational
Instagram user @hannahinternational says the owner of the cafe was incredibly accommodating. "She was really sweet," she tells CNN Travel.
Meanwhile fellow Instagrammer @mmarichell spotlights the coffee, adding it was "very sweet but also very dark."
Not heading to South Korea any time soon? YND239-20 might be heading to you.
Lee says the success of the cafe has prompted the owners to consider starting a franchise and taking the concept beyond Korea is on, um, the drawing board.
Latest Stories
-
Easter gesture: Ablakwa settles medical bills for 85 North Tongu constituents
2 minutes -
Africa must harness its population strength—Titus-Glover
2 minutes -
Visa-free access doesn’t mean unlimited stay – Lom Ahlijah
5 minutes -
From Golgotha to Kwahu: The Easter Migration of the Faithful and the Faithless
2 hours -
How the Ghanaian onion traders’ standoff with Nigeria unfolded and threatened local supply
2 hours -
No compensation for demolished structures on 24-Hour Economy market lands — Gov’t to structure owners
2 hours -
Financial Institutions must back local enterprises to spur growth – Deputy Minority Whip
2 hours -
Photos: Gomoa Easter Carnival 2026 ends in a burst of colour and celebration
2 hours -
Gomoa Easter carnival ends in colour as fashion, music and celebrity appearances light up final night
2 hours -
Families pick Luv Fm Family Party to celebrate Easter Monday with music and more
3 hours -
IMANI flags procurement issues in Ghana Gas insurance switch
3 hours -
Kaneshie footbridge rehabilitation to take up to 9 months — AMA
3 hours -
AMA confirms trading will be banned on Kaneshie footbridge after rehabilitation
3 hours -
IMANI flags procurement concerns in state insurance placements
3 hours -
Mahama’s push for visa-free Africa reflects Nkrumah’s Pan-African vision – Rashid Tanko-Computer
4 hours



