Meet the Latte That Brings Kim Jong Un Right to Your Table
Just Three Hours South of Seoul, In & Out Café Gives You a Fresh Take on Politics
On a rainy June morning in 2018, the In & Out Café in Jeonju became the unexpected hotspot for lovers of both coffee and a little political ribbing. Three hours from Seoul’s endless traffic, the café’s owner—who shares a first name with Kim Jong Un’s father—decided to stir something more than just milk into his lattes.
What Makes These Cuppas So Uniquely “North‑South”?
- Frothy Faces: Each latte is topped with a frothy illustration of Kim Jong Un gazing up at you, alongside President Moon Jae‑in. It’s like a tiny diplomatic meeting in your mug.
- Photo‑Op Ready: A sign invites customers to clap their hands, snap a selfie, and have their likeness added to the latte foam. The result? A love‑letter to peace you can sip.
- The “In & Out” Philosophy: On a post‑summit note, the owner mused that the café’s name, “In & Out,” symbolises the hope that South Korea and North Korea can start in and out of each other’s influence—one polite latte at a time.
Owner’s Takeaway: A Cup, a Summit, and a Snapshot of Hope
“I watched the inter‑Korean summit and was hugely impressed,” said the owner, Kim Jeong‑il—yes, he’s a mini‑copycat of Kim Jong Un’s father. “My shop’s name, ‘In & Out,’ and the latte design are a quiet prayer for peace. I hope we can literally and metaphorically keep moving between our borders,” he added, a grin cracking through the sternness that usually laces political headlines.
Why This Cep—uh, Cafe—Stands Out
- Few others dare to re‑distribute the leader’s image, but the April summit softened the attitude. Kim Jong Un came off more like a charismatic but cautious leader.
- Instead of threatening missiles, the cafes are handing out frothy diplomacy.
- Because in a world where the headlines are all about nuclear threats, a latte can be a surprisingly gentle reminder that dialogue can still be brewed.
So next time you’re craving a latte, consider dropping by the In & Out Café. For that brief moment, you’ll be sipping a cup that’s both delicious and laden with a dash of inter‑Korean goodwill. Cheers to coffee and calm!
Kim Jong Un’s Unexpected Fan Club in Seoul
Since he stepped into the spotlight in Pyongyang back in 2011, the North Korean dictator has not only faced a steady stream of verbal thunderstorms from the South but has also been accused of striking down his own uncle, half‑brother and a handful of officials believed to be disloyal.
Survey Snapshot: KIDOL POPULATION GROWS
- Gallup Korea shows a jump from 10 % favourability in March to 31 % in May.
- After last April’s summit, 65 % of respondents felt more positive toward Kim.
- With another summit looming next week between Kim and US President Donald Trump in Singapore, the trend looks set to climb even higher.
Kim’s Lightbulb Moment
Moon confided during the May inter‑Korean summit that “Kim has gained a lot of popularity in South Korea recently,” prompting Kim to exclaim, “That is a relief.”
Legal Lens & Business Worries
In South Korea, the security law has at times shut down websites and even jailed citizens for “praising, encouraging, or propagandizing” North Korean entities.
- Back in 2013, over 100 people were arrested under this law.
- Freedom House reports that number slumped to 7 just last year.
- These restrictions, coupled with the leader’s controversial reputation, make businesses cautious about riding the Kim wave.
Gym88: The Unlikely Partner
While the gym industry tends to steer clear of the political rumble, Seoul’s Gym88 has been using Kim’s iconic image for the past two years—though not in a flattering manner.
Its banner cheekily states: “You’ve got to lose some weight too,” featuring the portly North Korean leader beside a bikini‑clad woman.
A trainer, choosing not to be named, noted that the gym hasn’t faced criticism for the banner, suggesting that even amid the legal quagmire, a little humor can keep the spotlight friendly.
Bottom Line
South Korea’s fascination with Kim Jong Un is growing, despite robust legal safeguards and the state’s tight grip on the narrative. Whether it’s at a summit, a survey, or a gym wall, the North’s charismatic presence keeps resonating—proving that even in geopolitically tense waters, a dash of levity can still make waves.
Let’s Talk About The “Kim & Moon” Latte Craze
Picture this: you walk into a cozy café called In & Out in Jeonju, and the wall is plastered with a shiny sign that says you can snapshot yourself and become part of the latte foam apron, alongside the big names Kim Jong Un and Moon Jae‑in. Because who doesn’t want to sip on a latte that looks like a political power‑play?
How “The Smile” Became a Diplomatic Weapon
According to analysts, Kim Jong Un has been pulling out all the stops to smooth over any sparks whenever he steps onto the scene. Their image guru, Park Young‑sil, swears that he leveraged the smile like a secret weapon during the inter‑Korean summit. No, it wasn’t a prank—though you could almost hear the smug wry humor in Park’s voice.
“He strategically chose air‑kisses in the second meeting to demonstrate how close, on a psychological level, he feels to Moon based on mutual trust,” Park explained, hinting that every kiss whispered something deeper than a handshake.
Not Everyone’s Laughing
Despite this sunny side of Kim, grinning faces aren’t the only voices in the room. Kim Sang‑jin, a former south Korean soldier turned outspoken anti‑North Korea activist, has a different take: “The North Korean leader is a demon,” he laments, calling the growing positivity “a façade” used by the South Korean government.
He argues that the South Korean press and administration are selling a polished image to make the US‑North Korea summit look like a grand, harmonious show—when, in reality, it might just be fake peace. “They’re fooling the citizens,” he claims.
From Political Coffee to Public”Simple”
Back at the café, owner Kim Jeong‑il deals with the occasional anti‑communist queasism. They were a bit skeptical about a coffee named after Kim Jong Un, but the crowd’s reaction turned out to be surprisingly warm. Roughly twenty folks a day go out of their way to snag the Kim latte, coffee with a dose of political irony.
So, whether you’re a believer in the new global vibe or the skeptical, the theme is clear: Even coffee can become a diplomatic stage—just remember to order your latte thoughtfully, and you might get a laugh or a sob… either way, you’ll be part of the conversation.
