[Seukon Exploration] Floating on Water, Starbucks on the Hangang River

Visit to Starbucks Seoul Wave Art Center Branch

Editor's NoteWords like ‘special,’ ‘hot place,’ and ‘limited-time pop-up store’ instantly make the heart race. It’s because people are curious about what exactly makes these places so special and different that so many flock to them. You might not want to revisit places you’ve already been, but you don’t want to miss out on the HOT spots others are going to. And if you want to visit somewhere truly special, you’ve come to the right place. Drinkit editors explore each store and share their experiences as they are. This is Scon Exploration (Special Concept Store Exploration)! Were the editors able to truly catch a ‘special scent’ at the places they visited?

After a cold winter, spring has arrived. The warm sunlight and the gently blowing breeze lift the spirits for no particular reason. While tapping away on a laptop by a window with soft sunlight filtering in, I suddenly wanted to enjoy the spring atmosphere more fully. There’s a perfect place to go at times like this. I packed lightly and hopped on a bus. Today’s destination is Starbucks at Seoul Wave Art Center in Jamwon Hangang Park.

The Seoul Wave Art Center, floating on the Han River, is a cultural and artistic space where you can enjoy various exhibitions. Crossing the lightly swaying bridge that follows the river’s breath, you can enter the building.

Upon entering the store located on the first floor of the building, the Han River view through the wide windows immediately captures your attention. The high ceilings and floor-to-ceiling windows offer a refreshing openness that reaches deep into your chest. Several sculptures resembling ‘suncatchers,’ decorative items said to gather bright sunlight and bring happiness, hang from the ceiling. Perhaps because of this, everyone basking in the sunlight under these sculptures wore happy smiles on their faces.

Starbucks Seoul Wave Art Center is divided into the first and second floors. The window seats on the first floor, perfect for taking photos, are highly competitive. I visited around noon on a Monday, and it was already fully occupied. The second floor is slightly darker and cozier than the first, with seats equipped with stands, making it convenient for using laptops or iPads. The seats overlooking the first floor offer a unique perspective, combining the Han River view with the ceiling sculptures and an overall view of the first-floor seating area.

Looking over the menu, it was disappointing that there were no special drinks or desserts exclusive to this location. Since it’s not a Reserve store, Reserve menu items were also unavailable. However, compared to other branches, there was a wider variety of sandwiches and salads prepared.

I eased my disappointment with an iced Americano, the spring limited menu item Midnight Bergamot Cold Brew, a sweet chocolate fresh cream cake, and a cream-filled Baumkuchen. Although these are menu items available at all Starbucks locations, perhaps thanks to the unique scenery here, they felt a bit more special. Especially, the rich floral aroma of the Midnight Bergamot Cold Brew blended perfectly with the romantic atmosphere.

Starbucks Seoul Wave Art Center, where you can enjoy drinks while admiring the beautiful Han River scenery. It’s a pity there are no special menu items and that seats with good views are hard to get, but it’s an excellent space to fully enjoy spring. If you want to have a ‘mulmeong’ (water gazing) time watching the sparkling reflections on the Han River or enjoy a relaxing cup of coffee in a unique space, be sure to visit.

Four-character review: “I like it here!”

Photo by Kim Bomi

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.