If you’re here expecting me to describe how beautiful and breathtaking this cafe is, you might be a bit disappointed.
Although I initially added Dream Camera Cafe—one of the “25 cafes you must visit before you die”—to my list after seeing photos, I eventually realized that the story behind it is even more moving than its stunning appearance.
The story began like this:
A dad fell in love with cameras—mom wanted to live in the countryside—and their daughter dreamed of being best friends with a puppy.
Together, they sketched a picture: a giant camera cafe in the countryside, with their home nearby, the puppy running around outside, and the family having a picnic on the grass in front of the cafe.
What seemed like an unattainable dream gradually came true step by step, and now it’s the Dream Camera Cafe that people travel far and wide to visit.
But the real purpose of the cafe is not
to have people come from afar, take some commemorative photos, drink a cup of coffee, and then leave;
nor is it meant to become a reason for people to feel fulfilled just because they’ve finally checked off one of the “must-visit” cafes before they die;
and definitely not to make more and more money—
the original intention of these dreamers was never to run an ordinary cafe.
They hoped the cafe would become a place where dreamers could share their stories, or where those stories could inspire others who may have lost their dreams—or who feel powerless in the process of pursuing them.
Dreaming together is the purpose and meaning of this cafe’s existence.
“Our definition of success isn’t measured by money.
If someone walks in and shares their dream story with us, that will make our whole day.
That’s why this cafe exists.”
said the owner.
So when you visit the cafe, why not share your own dream story with these two dreamers?
Maybe the next person to realize their dream will be you?
“You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one.”
info:
Dream Camera Cafe??? 垃赡? 昔?
341-13 Jungwon-ri, Yongmun-myeon, Yangpyeong, Gyeonggi-do
Monday to Friday 11:00 - 18:00
Saturday and Sunday 11:00 - 20:00
Facebook page: ???垃赡?
Owner’s heartfelt words: Must-read before your visit
My Facebook page: Still all about travel
“Korea. Attractions” Visiting the home of the triplets and feasting on popular bagels/cheese bulgogi: Incheon Songdo + NC Canal Walk
“Korea. Attractions” Strolling through Chinatown, tasting the original Korean-style jjajangmyeon: A walk in Incheon’s Chinatown
After two hours on the bus and then a taxi ride, we finally arrived at the coffee shop!
The beauty of the place in person was even more breathtaking than in the photos.
Next to it is their home, which has a very cozy feel.
I believe this dog has become a good friend of their daughter. Not allowed inside the coffee shop, it’s sitting outside in the chilly weather—such a pitiful sight~
Wow~~~~~ (squealing with excitement)
YouTube video: http://youtu.be/MXrfk8niAAk
The owner said they only wanted to run a coffee shop that they could manage, so the shop isn’t very big.
The walls are covered with Polaroid photos taken by customers, with their dreams written underneath, and this is also part of the owner’s (aka dreamer) plan to inspire dreaming.
I wonder if they still remember the dreams they wrote on those photos back then?
The owner loves photography, so there are especially many books about it.
Of course, there are also quite a few treasured cameras on display!
We met a cute Korean girl at the coffee shop—Annie~ :)
Photography enthusiasts will definitely fall in love with this place too.
The countryside is even colder than Seoul, with snow covering the ground outside.
“Some people come, but have to wait in line for a seat, or leave disappointed, or find that the food is all sold out. Too many customers take away the time for conversation—that’s not what we want,” the owner said.
Let these drawings tell you how their dream began....
Even the toilet paper is shaped like a camera!
Let’s walk up these stairs and hear the story of their dreams—
Dream drawings may be beautiful, but without the courage to act, they’ll always just remain beautiful drawings.
This family used their own story to prove—
Dreams can come true.
The second floor has brochures about Yangpyeong travel.
The owner encourages guests to write a greeting message to someone they care about using a pen instead of a phone—
Yes, who doesn’t love receiving a handwritten card?
The view from the upper floor.
Don’t worry, they have an English menu, and the couple also speaks English, so ordering is no problem!
Besides coffee, there are also various types of tea to choose from.
Herbal teas, fruit teas, and sodas—they have quite a selection.
The last page of the menu features the dream stories again!
Please give the boss a smile, and then it's time to start sharing your own dream story～
A small rice cake given as a gift because we forgot to place an order... Honestly, we didn’t mind at all, the boss’s wife was just too kind..
The flower tea ordered by a friend—those teacups were absolutely adorable！
It’s a bit cruel too..
I, too, am a dreamer, sipping coffee in the space of dreamers.
Just buy a card, write a sentence, and hand it to the boss—he’ll help mail it for you.
The original intention is also to encourage everyone to handwrite heartfelt messages for their beloved family/friends.
A card for myself.
Plus a signature from the boss.
Summary：
If you’re only here for photos, you might be a bit disappointed.
But if you’re a dreamer like me—
I sincerely recommend visiting this dream base to listen to stories and tell your own.
How to get to Dream Camera Café:
Take the Gyeongui Line from Hongik University Entrance Station to Yongmun (Pihwan) Station.
The journey takes about 1 hour and 40 minutes with no transfers.
After exiting, take a taxi—just show the driver a photo of Dream Camera Café and they’ll know where it is.
It takes about 15 minutes to arrive, and the fare is around 10,000 won.