Staff members of Lucifel, Korea’s first butler-themed tea house, in Seoul’s Mapo District / Captured from Instagram
Immerse yourself in a world where your daily stresses fade away, and your luxurious fantasies become a reality at Lucifel, the first-ever butler-themed tea house in Mapo District, western Seoul.
Step inside, and suddenly, you’re not just a visitor — you’re royalty, welcomed by a team of refined young men acting as butlers. Within its meticulously themed environment, staff caters to guests while adorned in elegant butler attire, embodying the demeanor expected of their roles.
The shift from the every day to a space of elegance and attention is apparent, with each interaction designed to make guests feel valued.
During a Tuesday visit, the experience began with three firm knocks on the door, prompting eager butlers to line up in anticipation of welcoming their guests. Upon entering the cafe’s antique interior adorned with chandeliers and lace curtains, designated butlers promptly attended to the needs of their guests, engaging in friendly interactions.
The first butler to approach me was Mika, whose service was marked by warmth and efficiency. He showered his guests with compliments, creating an enjoyable moment.
As Mika tended to other guests, another butler named Roku stepped in to continue the service. His playful demeanor, such as trying to take my phone away from me, showed how each butler at the cafe has their own unique and different personality.
Guidelines for visitors are posted at the entrance of Lucifel, a butler-themed tea house in Seoul’s Mapo District, Tuesday. Korea Times photo by Pyo Kyung-min
Communicating with the butlers involves a unique protocol — guests must ring a bell placed on their table to summon assistance. Moreover, adherence to etiquette guidelines, such as refraining from physical contact with the staff or other informalities, is expected when interacting with the staff.
To partake in the establishment’s offerings, guests are required to order an afternoon tea set priced at 20,000 won ($14.80) per person, with an extra reservation fee of 10,000 won. Additional charges apply for activities such as taking quick snaps with the butlers or enjoying their live performances; they sing, they dance.
Despite its premium pricing and detailed etiquette requirements, Korea’s first butler tea house has quickly captured the public’s fascination since its launch in December 2023, with reservations for April fully booked. Enthusiasts and reviewers alike emphasize the necessity of quick action to snag a reservation as soon as a window of availability opens.
One of the guests, a woman in her 20s, expressed her slight embarrassment and delight at the interaction with the butlers. She noted that despite feeling self-conscious, the experience was thoroughly enjoyable.
“I stumbled upon this cafe on Instagram and decided to visit with a friend. It seemed like a unique experience worth trying out … I had plans to visit a butler cafe in Osaka, but unfortunately, it didn’t materialize. Nonetheless, being here feels like stepping into a theme park, which I find delightful,” she said.
The interior of Lucifel, a butler-themed tea house in Mapo District, Seoul / Korea Times photo by Pyo Kyung-min
Butler-themed cafes originate from Japan, with the first of its kind having emerged near Tokyo’s Ikebukuro Station in 2006. Their female counterpart, known as maid cafes, where female staff dress and act as maids while catering to guests, gained popularity in Japan as early as 2000.
Having experienced both butler and maid cafes while studying abroad in Japan in 2022, Kim, a 22-year-old college student, praised the “tremendous professionalism” at these kinds of themed establishments in Japan.
“I was amazed by the professionalism of the staff members working as butlers and maids. Even though I wasn’t fluent in Japanese at the time, I could clearly recognize the speech patterns of noble households because the staff were truly immersed in their roles,” she said.
“When enjoying such a refined culture, there could be a sense of embarrassment or discomfort, but I didn’t feel any of that at all in Japan’s butler cafes; rather, it felt like they genuinely cared for and treated me well.”
At the same time, Kim wondered how well Korea could reproduce Japan’s original culture.
“I’ve heard a lot about the emergence of butler and maid cafes in Korea, but I have no intention of actually visiting. I think it’s an experience that can be fully appreciated within Japan’s distinctive ambiance,” she said.
“I believe the quality of the experience largely depends on the sincerity of the staff in their roles, but I don’t think it’s realistic to expect such a high standard in Korean versions just yet.”
Japan’s influence
The growing fascination with Japanese culture among Korea’s youth has led to the introduction of this distinct cultural trend.
Among Korean millennials and Gen Zers, trends integrating the Japanese subculture have gained significant traction. Cosplaying as butlers and maids has become widespread on social media platforms, with numerous K-pop idols and comedians participating in the trend.
Many young individuals have also traveled to Japan in pursuit of its distinct culture.
According to the Japan National Tourism Organization, from January to July last year, the total number of foreign tourists visiting Japan was 13 million, with 3.7 million Koreans, constituting one-third, ranking highest among nationalities.
A staff member of Swallowtail, a popular butler-themed cafe in Japan, holds roses for guests. Courtesy of Swallowtail
The CEO of Lucifel explained in an interview with The Korea Times that his motivation to establish the cafe also stemmed from his personal fondness for Japanese culture.
“In Japan, butler cafes have fewer than 10 locations nationwide. Upon research, I found out that each of those cafes operates with a distinct style,” the CEO elaborated.
“Therefore, in introducing this butler cafe culture to Korea, I opted to customize them further to create something that resonates with Koreans … I anticipated some resistance during operation, but I’m pleasantly surprised by the enthusiastic response.”
Despite the enthusiasm, the adaptation of Japan’s butler cafe culture to Korea has sparked discussions about authenticity and cultural integration.
According to an online survey conducted by the public opinion research application Searchtong last December, 50.6 percent out of 4,208 respondents are opposed to maid- or butler-themed cafes, indicating a split opinion on the matter.
The top concern cited was the potential for degradation of integrity over time, even if well-managed initially (32.6 percent). This was closely followed by worries regarding the potential reinforcement of inappropriate sexual notions among minors (27.1 percent) and the risk of misperceiving such cafes as predominantly for a certain gender (25.2 percent).
Conversely, 49.4 percent expressed support for these cafes. The primary reasons included expectations for the revitalization of adjacent commercial zones (39.1 percent), the desire for greater market diversity (39 percent), and an appreciation for the introduction of novel cafes (14.9 percent).
A staff member of Swallowtail, a popular butler-themed cafe in Japan, gestures toward a tea set. Courtesy of Swallowtail
Lee Eun-hee, a professor of consumer science at Inha University, emphasized the significance of unique and immersive experiences in consumer desire.
“I believe that immersing oneself in a particular imaginary state within a fictional context is a unique experience like no other,” Lee said.
“I personally deeply cherish delving into historical studies of Eastern Europe, because it gives off a sense of being able to indirectly experience the old times. Similarly in a world where butlers and maids are nonexsistent, reminiscing about a time when such roles were commonplace may become a good source of entertainment.”
Lee sees maid- or butler-themed cafes as “exciting spaces where people can directly buy and sell unique experiences.”
“They’re not just about exhibiting something new but also about participating in stories that unfold right before your eyes. And while these experiences are commercially driven, they tap into a universal desire for adventure and novelty, and that, I believe, is something that extends beyond just being about Japanese culture,” the professor said.
“However, it is essential to approach these cafes with sensitivity, ensuring that everyone feels respected. Success in these ventures hinges not only on crafting a unique experience but also on fostering rules to protect both workers and consumers.”
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