A large café in Seogwipo, Jeju Island, which gained fame after being known as a celebrity hotspot, is under suspicion for illegally using about 6,000 square meters (approximately 1,800 pyeong) of government-owned land. Amid the controversy, the café’s owner has denied any current connection to Bbaekga, a member of the co-ed group Koyote.
On October 7th KST, representative A of the café stated, “Mr. Bbaekga is not involved with the café in any way. His name keeps getting mentioned, leading to exaggerations. I want to clarify this carefully and accurately. First and foremost, we believe the police investigation should take precedence.”
The controversy stemmed from a report by KBS News on October 6th, which revealed that the café, which had grown popular three years ago for being operated by a celebrity, was found to have illegally developed approximately 6,000 square meters of forest land. The café, which spans over 5,000 pyeong, is known for its scenic walking paths and sprawling grounds in Seogwipo, attracting tourists with its swings, lawns, and a spacious parking lot that enhances visitor convenience.
In response, Seogwipo City has requested an investigation from the Jeju Autonomous Police regarding the unauthorized use and damage of forest land. According to KBS, the café’s owner explained, “We only realized later that it constituted illegal development of forest land. We had intended to correct it, but financial constraints prevented us from doing so.”
Another celebrity, referred to as representative B, clarified, “Our contract ended in April this year, and I am no longer involved in café operations. At the time of the café’s development, I only worked on the interior design and had no knowledge regarding the land itself.”
Representative A added, “I’m sorry that I can’t explain everything in detail. While it’s upsetting, the changes made to the land were our fault, so we believe the police investigation should come first.”
Most notably, A emphasized that Bbaekga should not be linked to the issue: “To reiterate, Mr. Bbaekga has no involvement whatsoever.”
Bbaekga, a member of Koyote alongside Kim Jong Min and Shinji, is also known for his work as a photographer. He has made headlines for his success in a range of ventures, from fashion concept stores to cactus farming. He is also registered as an interior design business owner.
Since 2022, he has drawn attention by discussing on radio his travels between Jeju and Seoul, fueling speculation about his involvement in launching the café. However, sources report that while Bbaekga provided interior design consulting based on his artistic background, all core operations were handled by representative A. Koyote’s agency confirmed that Bbaekga’s contract with A had ended and chose not to release a separate statement.
Seogwipo City has stated that based on the results of the police investigation, the café will be ordered to restore the illegally used land to its original state.
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