Drinks paired with art, sleepy cafe and vintage stationery offer calm in troubled times

Lounge Heeum in Yeoksam-dong, Seoul (Choi Si-young/The Korea Herald)
Lounge Heeum in Yeoksam-dong, Seoul (Choi Si-young/The Korea Herald)

Art in drinks

Opened in August 2023, Lounge Heeum brands itself as a “drinks omakase” offering a long list of drinks and desserts carefully selected by a barista to embody the spirit of paintings by Kim Ji-hee.

The signature reservation-only Art Brew Omakase, a three-course experience, begins with Chinese Da Hong Pao tea and a truffle pumpkin gazpacho. The starter readies the taste buds for the main dish -- vanilla bean and star anise mousse accompanied by a cup of smoked coffee.

The signature vanilla bean and star anise mousse with a smoked coffee (Lounge Heeum)
The signature vanilla bean and star anise mousse with a smoked coffee (Lounge Heeum)

The smoky brew balances out any sweetness lingering from the mousse. That’s how understated beauty would taste -- seemingly flamboyant at first sight, like mother-of-pearl, said Kim, the artist best known for paintings that focus on desire.

The philosophy central to her works, Kim noted, is all about recognizing desire and embracing the carpe diem attitude, “because the clock will run out on all of us eventually.” To Kim, an existence committed to pursuing desire is beauty itself.

Lounge Heeum in Yeoksam-dong, Seoul (Choi Si-young/The Korea Herald)
Lounge Heeum in Yeoksam-dong, Seoul (Choi Si-young/The Korea Herald)

The third and last course is a sour magnolia beet drink paired with a gemstone candy. The drink evokes thoughts of spring, the season of magnolia blooms, while the candy, hard on the outside but soft inside, hints at the changing of the seasons.

Heeum, open Tuesday to Saturday, also offers a handful of regular coffees and sodas and accepts walk-ins.

“I like how the barista finds different flavors using the same coffee beans every time I come here,” said Lee Jin-young, a game designer who works near Heeum. Lee, 36, is a regular who drops by for takeout coffees after work.

Customers with a discerning palate like Lee help Heeum stay motivated to do what it does best, said barista Kim Hak-seong. “We’re serious about appreciating a world of variety through drinks and desserts. Art is just the starting point for us. We don’t know how it’s going to end -- or whether it will.”

Cafe Zamsi (Lee Jung-youn/The Korea Herald)
Cafe Zamsi (Lee Jung-youn/The Korea Herald)

Cafe for a sleepless evening

Between Seoul Station and Namyeong Station on Seoul Subway Line No.1, hidden beyond a dimly lit tunnel, lies Zamsi, a small cafe resembling an old wooden cabin. The cafe's red brick wall, fireplace-like lighting, wooden doors and furniture, and vintage cushions and rugs create a cozy, nostalgic atmosphere.

Zamsi is a phonetic transcription of a Korean word meaning "a brief moment," and also literally translates as "sleep time." This theme is reflected in the cafe's shelves, which are filled with incense, dreamcatchers, aroma stones and pajamas.

If you are interested in making a dreamcatcher, you can sign up in advance for a 90-minute class through the cafe's official Instagram.

The cafe's menu also follows the sleep theme, featuring caffeine-free floral teas and creatively named drinks. The desserts are no exception — with a tiramisu called “I love ZZZ” and a cookie-and-marshmallow set playfully named “I want to sleep more!”

From time to time, you might spot the owner's dog and two cats wandering around the cafe. Customers are also allowed to bring their pets.

Zamsi operates Tuesday to Sunday from 11:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. and is closed on Mondays.

Incense sticks and aroma products are displayed in Zamsi (Lee Jung-youn/The Korea Herald)
Incense sticks and aroma products are displayed in Zamsi (Lee Jung-youn/The Korea Herald)
Pencils and stationery for sale are on display at Blackheart in Yeonhui-dong, Seoul. (Lee Yoon-seo/The Korea Herald)
Pencils and stationery for sale are on display at Blackheart in Yeonhui-dong, Seoul. (Lee Yoon-seo/The Korea Herald)

Vintage pencil shop

In an era dominated by keyboards and screens, vintage shop Blackheart invites you to step into a realm where the humble pencil reigns supreme -- each one brimming with history, character and a touch of artistry.

This charming shop boasts thousands of pencils, each with its own design legacy and story. From tributes to classics, such as the iconic Blackwing and Mitsubishi pencils, every product is carefully curated and displayed for curious visitors to discover.

For those itching to unleash their inner artist or wordsmith, Blackheart offers creative spaces where you can sketch, jot, or doodle with a pencil of your choice.

And if you’re searching for a perfect good-luck charm for someone about to sit an important exam, the store has you covered with personalized pencil engraving services that make for thoughtful, one-of-a-kind gifts.

Blackheart is closed every Monday and the last Tuesday of each month.

Blackheart (Lee Yoon-seo/The Korea Herald)
Blackheart (Lee Yoon-seo/The Korea Herald)