A birthday cafe for trot singer Lim Young-woong (Lim Hero). (courtesy of Jeju Samdasoo)

On a K-pop idol’s special day, fans book an entire cafe, decorating it with personalized treats, souvenirs and pictures of the idol, and then gather to celebrate. Nobody seems to mind that the idols themselves rarely make an appearance.

It’s no secret that Korean fans go above and beyond to show their love for their idols. They don’t just enjoy the music; fans form official fan clubs, network with other fans and make sure their idols are taken care of. One way they express their devotion is by organizing elaborate birthday celebrations, including buying advertising space in subway and bus stations to display birthday ads.

Birthday cafes have become a new trend for fans to meet stars. (courtesy of Jeju Samdasoo)

Birthday cafes, which in Korean are called Saengil Kape (Saengka for short), are one way fans commemorate the birthdays of K-pop idols and other celebrities. Themed cafes are decorated with an abundance of photos, posters, banners and other memorabilia in honor of the celebrity’s birthday. Exclusive drinks and desserts are available, served in cups decorated with the idol’s image. Fans often embark on cafe-hopping adventures to snag these collectible mugs.

Event organizers typically use social media platforms to spread the word about their events. To attract wandering fans, organizers often offer special edition merchandise, usually on a first-come-first-served basis. Fans can often purchase exclusive merchandise such as photo cards, posters and other memorabilia. Many birthday cafes create special menus inspired by the celebrity with uniquely named drinks and desserts. 

To attract more fans, birthday cafe organizers are holding events in places that go beyond traditional cafes. For example, a fan of NCT DREAM’s Chenle organized a birthday cafe at a hot pot restaurant, while a fan of SF9’s Hwiyoung set up “Kyu-ni’s Ramyeon Shop” to cater to the artist’s love of ramyeon. 

But K-pop fans don’t just rely on meet-and-greets at cafes or other venues to connect with other fans. Birthdays are a huge part of their calendar, and celebrations often span several days. These celebrations, known as “Birthday Tours,” involve spending an entire day celebrating the birth of their beloved stars. The celebrations take place mainly in the vibrant neighborhoods of Seoul, near COEX or Gangnam Station in the south; Hongdae in the west; or Seongsu-dong Village in the east, where numerous K-pop agencies and entertainment venues are located.

Birthday cafes, which originated in Korea, have now made their way to various countries, especially those with a strong K-pop following. Fans in these areas come together to host similar celebrations, sometimes partnering with nearby establishments. Even in countries like Australia and Canada, birthday cafe events are becoming increasingly popular.

Students taking part in a birthday cafe for Jesus. (Courtesy of Daily Good News) 

The concept of birthday cafes also continues to evolve. In Korea, members of the MZ (millennials plus Gen Z) generation are putting together birthday cafes that go beyond celebrating K-pop idols with birthday cafes for Sejong the Great, Korea’s most revered king, and even birthday cafes to celebrate Jesus.