Hanhae and Lee Hyo-ri Share the Financial Reality of Running Cafes

On Monday’s episode of JTBC’s relationship show “Love War,” singer and rapper Hanhae cautioned a woman who said she wanted to open a cafe. He drew on his own experience, saying he had previously lost money running one. Lee Hyo-ri also discussed the business, sharing that her husband, musician Lee Sang-soon, did not earn as much as the crowds at his Jeju cafe might have implied.

Hanhae said he opened a small shop in Seoul’s Sangam-dong several years ago, selling yogurt and coffee. He recalled struggling to compete with a nearby major franchise that offered coffee for as little as 900 won per cup. The cafe operated for about two years, but Hanhae said it was financially viable only during its first six months. His total loss was between 150 million and 200 million won.

Lee said Lee Sang-soon’s cafe drew queues hundreds of meters long, yet its popularity did not translate into substantial earnings. The Jeju business closed in May 2024 when its lease ended. Their accounts offer a contrast between the visibility of a busy cafe and the financial challenges of keeping one running.