Lee Dong-gun’s New Café Sparks Controversy with Local Business Owners Over Noise and Parking Issues
Actor Lee Dong-gun’s newly opened café in Aewol, Jeju Oasis 80 has become the center of controversy as local business owners accuse the establishment of causing disturbances and lacking basic courtesy.
Oasis 80 Sparks Controversy Among Jeju Locals
According to social media posts from nearby café owners, the backlash began when construction for Lee’s café continued late into the night. One café owner wrote, “The Oasis 80 café behind mine kept doing construction until 11 p.m., and I couldn’t sleep, neither could my dog Jinsun, who stays in the yard. They even seem to be using my parking lot. I don’t have much attachment to my café, and I usually promote others, but this left a bad first impression.”
Another alleged café owner added, “There are people living in the area, yet they kept working late to accommodate a TV filming schedule. Isn’t it basic courtesy to ask for understanding in advance?” They continued, “Thanks to Lee Dong-gun’s café, the commercial area is booming, and our parking lot and café are as busy as peak season. I’m not saying this because I’m afraid my business will suffer. I just hate seeing people with no manners succeed.“
The same netizen also shared photos of cars filling their café parking lot, claiming many of the vehicles belonged to customers visiting Lee’s café. In a sarcastic jab, the netizen remarked they were even considering renaming their café to “T-ara Café” to ride the buzz. Lee Dong-gun famously dated T-ara’s Jiyeon for two years before their controversial public breakup.
Lee Dong-gun’s Vision Becomes Reality Amid Mixed Reactions
On April 14, Lee posted a video to his Instagram showing Oasis 80, a transformed residential property featuring a picturesque pond and a pink, exotic building. The café’s Instagram introduced it as “a space for rest and relaxation” and thanked patrons for lining up from day one.
The video also shows Lee Dong-gun making Turkish-style sand coffee as a barista. He was joined by entertainer Lee Sang-min, who participated as a one-day barista for the My Little Old Boy variety show filming.
On a recent episode of My Little Old Boy, Lee revealed he was preparing to move for his daughter with actress Jo Yoon-hee, who is now in elementary school. He expressed his wish for her to have a comfortable place to stay when visiting his home, marking a touching moment that resonated with viewers.
Lee had previously expressed his long-standing dream of opening a small café in Jeju during an earlier episode of the show, stating, “I’ve never started a business before. I’ve had this dream of running a small café in Jeju, and since my schedule is open now, it seemed like the right time.“
As the café continues to draw attention and foot traffic, how the actor addresses these early controversies — and maintains harmony with neighboring businesses — may determine whether Oasis 80 thrives as a local favorite or remains a symbol of clashing visions in Jeju’s café culture.