A downtown 'waterfall-gazing' destination... from a neighborhood retreat to a draw for domestic and international tourists
Cafe Pokpo hits 6.1 billion won in cumulative sales... official Instagram account tops 10,000 followers
Hongje Waterfall in Seodaemun-gu, a spot where visitors can unwind while watching a waterfall in the heart of the city, has welcomed a cumulative total of 5 million visitors.
What began as a walking and rest area for local residents has grown into a landmark destination for Seodaemun-gu, drawing tourists from across South Korea and abroad.
Seodaemun-gu said cumulative visitors to the Hongje Waterfall area surpassed 5 million as of Tuesday.
That milestone comes roughly three and a half years after Cafe Pokpo opened on April 1, 2023, with an average of about 3,900 visitors per day. Cafe Pokpo (262-24 Yeonhui-ro), located directly in front of the waterfall, has also recorded cumulative sales of 6.1 billion won ($4.55 million).
The appeal of Hongje Waterfall lies in the chance to enjoy the sight and sound of rushing water close to everyday life. Strolling along Hongjecheon stream or sitting before the falls for a moment of quiet contemplation — a practice locals call "pokpo-meong," or waterfall-gazing — offers residents a brief escape and gives tourists a side of Seoul they rarely see.
Cafe Pokpo lets visitors pair that scenery with a cup of coffee. Its wide-open outdoor seating area facing the waterfall spread by word of mouth, turning it into a place where visitors linger and relax.
Photos and videos taken by visitors have carried the waterfall's scenery to audiences overseas. Posts featuring the falls and the cafe have circulated on TikTok, Instagram and other social media platforms, drawing tourists from Southeast Asia, Europe, South America and beyond.
The official Instagram account for Cafe Pokpo, "cafe.pokpo," has also surpassed 10,000 followers.
The steady stream of visitors has translated into strong commercial results. Cafe Pokpo alone recorded cumulative sales of 6.1 billion won, while the combined cumulative sales of all four district-run cafes — including Cafe Bokhap Cultural Center, Cafe Ansan and Cheonnyeon Hwangto Cafe — reached 7 billion won.
The district is channeling profits from cafe operations into scholarships and other support for local students. Revenue generated by residents and tourists using the spaces is being reinvested to help young people in the community learn and grow.
Surpassing 5 million cumulative visitors is significant because it shows how an urban natural landscape can serve both as a neighborhood retreat and a tourist draw at the same time. The addition of a cafe to a space already valued for waterfall views and leisurely walks has helped the area evolve into a destination where people come to enjoy and stay in Seodaemun-gu.
"Hongje Waterfall is a place of everyday rest for residents and a gateway to Seodaemun-gu for tourists," Seodaemun-gu District Mayor Park Woon-ki said. "What makes it even more meaningful is that the footsteps gathered here become a force that supports the education of local students."
seouldream01@heraldcorp.com
